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OF PROMlNENTAgp REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 

OF THE COUNTY 

TOGETHER WITH- PORTRAITS -AND -BIOGRAPHIES-OF-ALL ■ THE 

»©• tf ¥fllf I§ • f F-TH5 -STAT® 

CHICAGO: 

CHAPMAN BROS. 

1891. 



^ 




PF^Ep/^'^E. 




HE greatest of English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most brilliant writers of 

the present century, has said : '-The history of a country is best told in a record of the 

lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Portrait and Biographical 

Album of this county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 

taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, our 

__^^ corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their 

-^ ^ enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none among those 

comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of tlieir life 



struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
Tmitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of manj-, very 
manv who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content 
to' have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy— "they have done what 
thej' could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country'.s 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Comino- oenerations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be 
iniiccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible 
criven to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter them- 
selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograph- 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of 
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of Mich opposition the support of the interested 
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 



CHAPMAN BROS. 



Chicaco, Fohruary, 18',)1. 



II 









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F/JUST J^RESIDEiVT. 



19 







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f \t' ^'^?i'^iii''^^^^*mi^^i^^ 






HE Father of our Country was 
)orn in Westmorland Co., Va., 
'Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, when he received private instruction in 
mathemal'cs. His sr>ellinii was rather defective 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physica. 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was i4yearsoldhehadadesire togoto 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. ■ In 1751, though only 19 years of 
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddle, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia wa? 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most important part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
were disabled early in the action, and Wasliington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says: "I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

After having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
e.xpulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
CO resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
-if Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Le.xington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a memberof the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress lo pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under every possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 17S3, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army to 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection with public life. 

In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a iiew 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments; trials from want of harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
wiiile perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December i 2, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne with military honors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have been able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. 
He commanded respect without any appearance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without h^lrvg dull. 




'^^^'^t J^^amd 



SECOND PRESIDEN7\ 








<«« *■ 



"9^^^ 



OHN ADAMS, the second 
"l^p President and the first Vice- 
President of the United States, 
was born in Braintree ( now 
Quincy ),Mass., and about ten 
miles from Boston, Oct. ig, 
-J 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1640, with a family of eight 
sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
'sci.ool of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain lelief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had tjiought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
rils, cf diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
of ti.e operations of which he had been a witness in 
liis native town. He was vvell fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (i7r>5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
steps toward holdin^, n town meeting, and the resolu- 






.■ii..-|i, fefefet- 4iy ^.,A, A..t.>t, •r' Mv - '^'-H 




tions he offered on the subject became very populai 
throughout the Provmce, and were adopted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocates of the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against the 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the committee of iive 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with th^ 
glow of e.xcited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated, 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wiL 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows. 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. Vou will think me transported 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware ot 
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. yVdams was appointed a 
delegate to France and to co-opetate with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such proposals. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties. 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and an.\iety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
Bath. While in England, still drooping and despond- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,he made the trip. 

February 24, 1785, Congress apjxjinted Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
nis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President, though not without much opposition. 
Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by 
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

T/hile Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was upon this point which he was at issue with 
the majority of his countiymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
in tlieir struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
(XDwer of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

Tiie world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supporting. In 1824, his cup of hajipiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon thd^ 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished theit 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his spirit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, 
as his ]3ortrait nianifests.was intellectual and expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Tcfferson, 



"•^^fflb. 





'^i^^^C-ZP^t^PZ, 



THIRD PRESIDENT. 



27 




\h ¥11 ©MAS JEFF 





HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
born April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
!l|^well, Albermarle county, Va. 
His parents were Peter and 
Jane (Randolph) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
end Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion 
and splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences, that lie was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of tlie city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow 
Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, thsre 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect ol' wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye? 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Cclonial Congress, 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed upon a number of important committees^ 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was jjassed and signed July 
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 



zS 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Moniicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summetof 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, r789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. JefiTerson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and w\yo\\ the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jeff"erson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses,- — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fifrieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were made in every part of thi; 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer. 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained nc 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the nex* 
d;iy, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha'; 
he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
life ! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day v/hich his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, tlie kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and des|)er- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for the good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage ; and his command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
Vippp the best models of antiquity. 



w 







/ d/tA,^ <- 1 .^^ dA-M-^f c'''-K 



FOURTH PRFSIDENT. 



PIIQES n]^DIS01]. 





AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution," and fourth 
l?;"' President of the United States, 
was born March i6, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
'■<^ fune 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that heroic period of our 
country during which the founda- 
tions of this great republic were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to be called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing upon a very fine es- 
tate called " Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
political attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



i^ 




prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but tlrree 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsr " 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mmd 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 



32 



JAMES MADISON. 



intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our laud, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in- Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other .States to apitoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urguig all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island 
"Tas represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention ; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little jxiwer at home and little respect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable power of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. , 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the i8th of June, 1812, President Madison gave 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and iVIr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, i8i3> was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infaiV- 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling with the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the Lhiited States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer to 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of being 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public t)uildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed atGhent. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
sgndied July 12, 1849. 




7 



?-c-Z_. 



FIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 




AMES MONROE, the fifth 
.President of The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. AMien, 
at 17 years of age, in the process 
I-! of completing his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate upon the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the m^l 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and Whitt 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four montli-; 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he Jed the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- 
moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of liis fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were after\vards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good, 



J6 



JAMES MONROE. 



he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
ihe Congress of the United States. 

IJeepIyas Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
;hiiiking, with many others of "ihe Republican party, 
:iiat it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent iaeas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of tlie Constitution as to give the 
(Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much power, as the Constitution vvould 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
r.s in the struggle for our liljerties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by a|.)pointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the rnost enthusiastic demonstrations. 



Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three years. He was again sent to France to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Tneir united efforts were sue • 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State unde;- 
Madison. While in this office war with'England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trj'ing times, the duties of the War Departmeni 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. LTpon the return ol 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little opposition, and 
upon March 4, 18 17, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated liy him in 1823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
to have European powers longer attempting to sub- 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by European 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the United States. 

At the end of his Fecond term Mr. Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died,on the 4th of July, 1831 




5. $, Ai 



<^»v5 



SIXTH PRESIDENT. 




S-- 



. 301)1] Qmi]6Y twm- i 




OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of the United 
t'?*.States, was born "in the rural 
home of his honored father, 
John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., 
on the I ith cf July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
worth, watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood with 
' his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his father for Europe, 
through a fleet ol hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice of these distinguislied men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
Tohn Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to 3tudy; then accompained his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in .\msterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year . from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
yea's of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary'. 

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father V.- 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintanc; 
with the most distinguished men on the Continei.t 
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross the human mind. Afte- 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, ana 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to complete his education 
in an American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent support. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty- 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netlierlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Great Britian. After thus spending a fortnight ir, 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Beiiin, but requesting 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. While waiting he was married to ar. 
American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughte'i 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London; 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in X\x\ 
elevated sphere for which she was destined- 



40 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, havingful- 
filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins; to 
the climate and astronomical observations; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an importar.t 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately ap[)ointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, i8ig, for the United States. On the 
iSth of August, he agam crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
loe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
foi the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
fjrward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one ; Henry Clay, thirty- 
se/en. As there was no choice by the people, the 
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
:ombined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
•he i>3.st history of our cpuntry than the abuse which 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams ; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in 
Quincy, he lias been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
lX)rtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, antil his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
" the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brouglit forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the prajer which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2ist of Februar)', 1848, he rose on tlie floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
tlie sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
said " This is the em/ 0/ earth .-"then after a moment's 
pause he added, '''' I am content." These were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 



SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



->3 











NDREW JACKSON, the 
venth President of the 
^f^ United States, was born in 
Waxhaw settlement, N. C, 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in M'axhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

Wiien only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
17S1, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
Dlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — <5ne on the hand and the other upon the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
mother was successful \xs Qbtaining their exchange, 



and took her sick boys home. After a long iilnosE 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supported himself in various ways, si;ha3 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
witn the Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackbon into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty tliousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new State was entitled to but one member in 
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 



44 



ANDRE W JACKSON. 



sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
second term of oflice was then e.xpiring, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held for si.x years. 

\V'hen the war of 1S12 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied tiie Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, .\ndrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
jffered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As tlie British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
expedition reached Natchez; and afteradelay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
lingering iiiwn a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
ilers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everj-one of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both shii) and shore commenced a furious 
assault. The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection \vith the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most memorable 
in the annals of our country'; applauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 




fef J /, 



O 7 z-LJ^c 



V ^t 




EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 



47 







WW^ W^ Bnpi]. 



«^r 




ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 

eighth President of the 

United States, was born at 

Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 

1782. He died at the same 

[>lace, July 24, 1862. His 

body rests in the cemetery 

at Kinderhook. Above it is 

a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 

high, bearing a simple inscription 

about half way up on one face. 

WW 

w The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
iu no wild adventures. Though his hfe was stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

Ai was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-ofifiice were required of him 
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
J. lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
spending six years in an office in bis native village. 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his. 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1S03, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
cause of State Rights; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, \\\i 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years 
constantly gaining strength by contending in tht- 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consunip- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovet 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In t8 1 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
piominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 



48 



MARTIN VAN BUMEN. 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended tliat, while the 
j:ath leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 1 he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the »United States, he rose at once to a 
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
ihe Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
.-ermined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
■'State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
organize a political army which would, secretly and 
Ete.-'lthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said that he outv/itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
few thought then could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
position he resigned in 1831, a«d was immediately 
appointed Minister to England, where he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
cefused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the jiower to appoint a successor." 

His administration was filled with exciting events- 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in - 
volve this country in warwitli England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re-election. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, r84i, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 




^ J^)9e^ylA^ 



NINTH PRESIDENT. 



V 







wfi^ittM ^m m4iMi®i. 








ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, was early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
s[)eaker.' 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
William Henry, of course enjoyed 
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
i.ig received a thorough common-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soor; r.fter the death of his father. He 
in&w repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
iobert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
'igners of the Declaration of Independence. 

Jpon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the '•enionsttances of his friends, he 
ahando'^ed liis medical studies and entered the army, 
.laving olitained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
position. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil. 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap. 
ix)inted by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times appointed to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. Oneof these settlements 
was on the Oliio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisoii 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Abou- 



52 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching 
Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, 
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. .Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bajonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and passion most 
liighly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
Httle army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a sliower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
jus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubtir.g a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troo]3S stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing th»" foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can - 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
(jeneral Harrison .was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, sapped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In i8i6. Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an " 
active member; and whenever he Sfxike, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 1S19, Harrison was elected to the -Senate of 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the i)residential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren 's term, he was re -nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated, tlen, Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
a't its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which anv President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of April; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States. 





T/TZ. 




TENTH PRESIDENT. 



55 





OHN TYLER, the tenth 
'4x, Presidentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 
At nineteen years of age, ne 
!n commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
et of the court in which he was 
r.ct retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously e'ected to a seat in the State 
L-;gislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
rratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
lefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General <^ovarn- 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the piinciples of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. There was a £pl:t in the Democratic 



JOHN TYLER. 



party. His hieniia still regarded him as a true Jef- 
tersonian, gave hini a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; audit was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
look his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
'839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1 84 1, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time. President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thu.i -cund himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
une.xpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
AT-ril was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his longlife he had been 
opposed tc the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, hont:t man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus suiround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
Felected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. He suggested, however, that he would 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, e.xcepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the A^higs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into svmpathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife, ■ 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tyler wasagain married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles-city Co., Va. h polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unnsual attractions. With sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, b^ 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 



ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



5$ 




3i^,^i;i*i^^ 



.lAMES K. PDIII, 



^^L^mzzzziz 








AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 
SaPresident of the United States, 
was born in Mecklenburg Co., 
N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
ents were Samuel and Jane 
(Knox) Polk, the former a son 
of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
at the above place, as one of the 
first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year i3o6, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the meml)ers of 
the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth until 
he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore- 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be* 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
constantly called .upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial ard 



6o 



/AMES K. POLK. 



Murterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the jo} s and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinuec* in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of Tf^nnessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the countryin favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Te.xas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He vas 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and wa; 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of "observation," then of "occupation,' 
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of tlie 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fiftv-fourth 
yeaj- of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 



/ 








TIVELFTH PRESIDENT. 




[v: ^^^i^-'SV.v.; ] 









1^ ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
\% I'resident of the United States, 
vvas boni on the 24th of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
%> father. Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. \\\ this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
all its refinements, young Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, and 
oianifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Lidians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
\\\ 1 80S, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison.on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
jed by Tecumseh, Its garrison consisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn uf 18 u, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved upon tlie fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of tlie foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until si.K o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages then, baffled at every point, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fo.x River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1S36, he was sent to Florida to comjiel 
the .Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
iiac' promised they should do. The services rendered 
heic secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
tc ihe rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a 'change of command, 
and was stationed over the Department of the South- 
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imposed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war witli Mexico 
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
w.-is received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
the Siifirii/ue/ of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
.'pread the wildest enthusiasm over the country, 'i'he 
name of Cren. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
, daring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
who had been long years in the public service found 
•l.iir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It Is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
tien. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Me.xicans or 
Indians- 

In the midst of all .these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. 
His last words were, "I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense. Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumeral)le preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
' touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In shorf 
few men have ever had a more comfortaii'le, laboi- 
s,aving contempt for learnirg of eveiy kind." 





'JL-t^</_? jt 




THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



6r 




■%r^ 




1 ^MILLflRn FILLMflHE.^ | 






ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
teentli President of the United 
' States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the 7th of January, 1800. His 
father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she possessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied v, ith 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha'. 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
no friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion abou': 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hal" ; 
Hnd then enters a law office, who is by nq me^ns '<>,% 



08 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degrt e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress, He entered that troubled 
irena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
ihen raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
!iis profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
'he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave hmi stiength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
lie was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
namesof Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, '849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
tlie South ; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
theinadequacyof all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The po[)ulation of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government sliould 
soon pass into the hands of the free .States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten liy both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Bufi"alo. N. Y., March 8, 1874, 




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FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



71 





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RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
' United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong ami, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all tiiat a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate. Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar ; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most popular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
\Voodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
tlie ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with wiiich her husband was honpted. Of th§ 



72 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



three sons who were bom to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States ; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval ; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man wjnom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the I 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of Msirch, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culntinating point. It became evident that there was 
an "irrepressible conflict" between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

' Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slaver)' sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 




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I'IFTEBNTH PRESIDENT. 



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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
.teenth President of the United 
States, was horn in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stood was called Stony 
® Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic spot in a gorg-eof the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little property save his 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the d-rama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his sou was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
l>rogress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
<o study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
facihty. 

Ill the year 1S09, he graduated with the highest 
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 181 2, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest law) ers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate one of the 
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
Daring the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri- 



76 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country ; and defended the course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
porters of his administration. Upon this question he 
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from tiie journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged the i)rohibition of the 
circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United 
States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had 
no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," 
said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the course our Government pursued in that 
movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050, 
which included the fugiiive-slave law, Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
ceived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On 
March 4th. 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
vears were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
allied in political principles and action for years, were 
se-aking the destruction of the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
[n this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws, 
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. He therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
in the ne.xt Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
operation of the Government to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
declared that Congress had no \)ower to enforce its 
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. 'J'his 
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed, "The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston : Fort Sumpter 
was besieged ; our forts, ' navy-yards and arsenals 
were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's 
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellior. 
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, i863. 





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SIXTEEN^TH PRU^/DEIVT. 



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BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteenth President of the 
Jnited States, was born in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
1809. About the year 1780, a 
man by the name of Abraham 
Lincohi left Virginia with his 
family and moved into the then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
field, was stealthily approached b)' 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme [wverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of tlie 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth fo'^ever be enrolled 
with the mc3st prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched 
log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
jiimself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
.ess, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
splfout, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
^J borer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- 
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a ]>alace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
"All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana Where 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than tliis to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he read 
and re-read until they were almost committed to 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
education, and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of th.^ 
Lord thy God in vain ;" and a profane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat. 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin- 
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
great satisfacticn to his employers. In this adven- 



8o 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



tare his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return tiiey placed a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak, of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appoiatmentof Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
.Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
beg.in his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1S36 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
slavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
;he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6th of June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. An immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
orominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him : 
and as little did lie dream tliat he was to render services 
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
cnly, if second, to that of AVashington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received iSo 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, 186 1, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopiiing in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get \\\i a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death witli 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to 
take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an 
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached \Vashinglon in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great an.xiety was felt by all loyal people. 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent oi)ponents before the convention he gave 
important positions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling liis own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo'.h personal and national. Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. Ai)ril 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would be present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, with his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in sjjeechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country will 
live with that of Washington's, iis father; his country- 
men being unable to decide which is the greatec 





'>':^-^-i^:2-{^2^yt^^ 



SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



Sj 




NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
States. The early hfe of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
was born December 29, 1808, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer even the slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
was a 'ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave hira the booic 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed o;. 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee m 1826, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pus 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
fxasition he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature. 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to thosv 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important post for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these resjxjnsible posi- 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abi'. 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Jvlr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1S45, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from" bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir,'" 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i8bo, iie 
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
fhey do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be punished; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter iiKonsistency with, and the most violent 



opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beglnnirig of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the Impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think It expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until r875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
ne'ssee. United States Senator In the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 A. M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 



f 



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^^.y^ 



EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



87 








LYSSES S. GRANT, the 

J) eighteenth President of the 
^United States, was born on 
the 29th of April, 1822, of 
Christian parents, in a humble 
home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came, Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resacade la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
side of the anitAal, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States ; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the 15th of 



88 



UL YSSES S. GRA NT. 



June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
iistrict of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains. Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 
Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orieans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed tj> the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lockout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon t'^.- duties of his new office. 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
ihe army to concentrate the widely-dispersed Narional 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago. 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the tliroat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation wenf- in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 




6^ 



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NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 



9» 







|'~:^ts§»'^«^t^';;-i'.; ,'.^V,'.; ,i<;;i'ig)t;g;ti^^<;^.*.i V,i^;,», •. I, \.\\,\\\;.H-,M^^e!^^i?i^C'^*W I 





UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
the nineteenth President of 
the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
**^ death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most -lionorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
lane ov-.:r<aking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
and in 16X0, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his liJe. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
lied Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turer of scythe;; at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel ai;d grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in NewHaven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter 
mined to inove to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was ver)- weak, and the 



V* 



RUTHERFORD B. ffAVRS: 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
nim, said in a bantering way, " That's right ! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You reed not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You 
vait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he w<;nt to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
fister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletovvn, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Innnediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1S45, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1849 he mdved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years,_ how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence upon his sul)se- 
quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the othei' was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members suck men as'^hief Justice Salmon P. Chase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulne^s and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judg^ of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office ot 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City CounciL 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1 86 1, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
the zenith of his professional lif .. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take md 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and jjlaced 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished services 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during tlie campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I 
shall never come to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thumian, a popular Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
Ho was elected Governor for tha third term in 1875. 

in 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President, and w-as in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, hcwever, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his admiiristration was an average o^° 



TiVENTIETH PRESIDENT. 



95 










AMES A. GARFIELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. ig, 
1S31, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and Eliza 
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
, tie about 20x30 feet, builtof logs, with the spaces be- 
v/een the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
.lard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
The household comprised the father and mother and 
:heir four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and 
'ames. In May, 1823^ the father, from a cold con- 
.racted in helping to i)ut out a forest fire, died. At 
this time James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
fell how much James was indebted to his brother's 
toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anytliing that 
would bring in a few dollars to -aid his widowed 
mother in he' 'Struggles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until hi 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he wen': 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which churcli he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way 
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religioii ; 



gtt 



/AMES A. GARFIELD. 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlHng springs 
of his benig, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian comnmnions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
;hurch of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
tarian cliarity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. ii, 1858, who proved herself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, 
jn Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut.-Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14,1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
(Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of Staff." 

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Gew Garfield wa» 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for sixty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. There; he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before & 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whict 
you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu. 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the peoi,>le, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but in.licting no farther 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the foui deed. 



Af 




TWENTY. FIRST FRESIDENT. 



99 





HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

,_ twenty-first Presi'^.^iii of the 

*' United States, was born in 

Franklin Court)', Vermont, on 

thefifthof Oc'ober, 1830, and is 

the oldest of a family of two 

sons and five daughters. His 

father was the Rev. Dr. William 

Arthur, aBaptistd-rgyman, who 

emigrated to tb.s countr)' from 

V, the county Antrim, Ireland, in 

his i8th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S( henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
ft] in Vermont for two years, and at 
Ss> the expiration of that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
and entered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Westerji States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward nwr'^d the daughter of Lieutenant 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
nommation to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon^ 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New Yoik, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was composed of the Jsading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
ivas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man 'nas often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored ]X)sition in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and the world, as never 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to ^.ssume the responsibilities of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many important measures were to be immediately 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 





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TWENTY-SECONn PRESIDENT. 



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TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, thetvventy-second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way c: the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supporting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in. 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
Bat instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
^f. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 



S. G ROVER CLEVELAI^n. 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
ne left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
iisk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
rpeak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy.''" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked 
(he old gentleman ; " do you, indeed 1 What ever put 
that into your head.'' How much money have you 
got.'" '"Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
any-. 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, while iie could " look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told ;hem what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
ne was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
Have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying " That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
out in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
t," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital p-'.ishment upon two 
ceiniinals. In t88i he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, v/ith es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforcas 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time foi 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the peopls and to worse 
than squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected ia 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made^ if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
IT, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention r,t 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 18S5, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet ofl5cers he selected 
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
York; Secretaiy of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of 
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin ; .\ttorney-General, A. H. Garland, of 
Arkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inauiiuratior. 





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^:2^r?->-A--i,4s^r5^-£<, 



TWENTY-THIRD PRESIDENT. 




i^^^^A^^As^^S' 



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:NJAMIN HARRISON, the 

, ■Lwenty-tliird rresident, is 
'/ the descendant of one of the 
historical families of this 
, , ^ country. The head of the 
"^ "bSa family was a Major General 
.ji^^Ju Harrison, one of Oliver 
§*-■" Cromwell's trusted follow- 

ers and fighters. In the zenith of Croni- 
wcii's power it became the dutj"^ of this 
Harrison to participate in the tri.al of 
Charles I, ami afterward to sign the 
dcarh warrant of the king. He subse- 
qucntl}- paid for this witii his life, l)eing 
hung Oct. 13, 16G0. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
family that appears in history is Benja- 
min Harrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, and 
after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison 
was a member of the Cfmtinental Congress during 
the years i774-5-G, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
was three times elected Governor of Virginia. " 
Gen William Henry Harrison, the son of the 



distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc- 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
and with -a clean record as Governor of the North- 
western Territorj', was elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His career was cut short 
by death within one month r.fter his inauguration. 
■ President Harrison was born at North Bend, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. "^0, 1833. His life up to 
the time of his graduation by the Miami University, 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
tr}' lad of a family of small means. His father was 
able to give him a good education, and nothing 
more. He became engaged while at college to th3 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female school 
at Oxford. ' After graduating he determined to en- 
ter upon the stud}' of the law. He went to Cin 
cinnati and then read law for two years. At the 
expiration of that time young Harrison receivsd thc5 
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him 
a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as a 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, taka 
this money and goto some Eastern town an', be- 
gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with 
the money in his pocket, he started out wita his 
young wife to fight for a place in the world, He 



108 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at 
Lhat time a town of promise. He met with slight 
uncouragement at first, making scarcely anything 
the first year. He worked diligently, applying him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
I'ession. He is the father of two children. 

Iq 18G0 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and t!ien be- 
gan his experience as a stump speakei He can- 
vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 18G2 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of the rawest of material, 
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
when he therefore came to move toward the East 
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
cJrilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he 
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
r,t Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
(.ral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
^lomplimentary terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
he Supreme Court declared the office of the Su- 
preme Court Reporter vacant, and another person 
was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
irg Indiana with his regiment until the f.all of 1864 
ne had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
tliirty-day leave of absence, and during that time 
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
for another term. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
man, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet 
.ever, and after a most tr3'ing siege made his w.iy 
CO the front in time to participate in the closing 
■jicidents of the war. 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined ". re-election as 
.eporter, and resumed the practice of law„ In 1876 
m was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 
eated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him 
1 National reputation, and he was much sought, es- 
peciaLy in the East, to 'make speeches. In 1880, 
.IS usual, he took an active part in the campaign, 
und was elected to the United States Sen.ate. Here 
ne served six years, and was known as one of the 
iblest men, best lawyer^ <^nd strongest debaters in 



that body. With the expiration of his Seiiatori;,! 
term he returned to the practice of his profession, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in 
tlie State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most memorable in the history of our country. The 
convention which assembled in Chicago in June and 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican party, was great in every partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- 
sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief 
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
thither to paj' their respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in the 
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 

On account of liis eloquence as a speaker and his 
power as a debater, he was called upon at an un- 
commonly early age to take part in the discussion 
of the great questions that then began to agitate 
the country'. He was an uncompromising anti 
slavery man, and was matched against some of tl:e 
most eminent Dem(>cratic speakers of his State. 
No man who felt the touch of his blade de::red to 
be pitted with him again. With all his eloq-^ence 
as an orator he never spoke for oratoriea'i. effect, 
but his words always went like bullets to the mark 
lie is purely American in his ideas and is a spier 
did type of the American statesm.an. Gifted witli 
quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
he is one of the most distinguished impromptu 
speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches 
.-qiarkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse 
statements have already become aphorisms. Origi- 
nal in thought, precise in logic, terse in statement, 
yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as 
the sound statesman and brilUan; orator c- tnv, day 





^ 





.4^ 



:fi%i= 









rSH 





'CtcC^-t.^cyAy 




OO VBRNOHS OF ILLINOIS. 




' HADRACH BOND, the first 
Governor of Illinois after its 
organization as a State, serving 
from i8i8 to 1822, was born in 
Frederick County, Maryland, 
in the year 1773, and was 
raised a farmer on his father's 
plantation, receiving only a plain 
English education. He emigrated 
to this State in 1794, when it was a 
part of the "Northwest Territory," 
continuing in the vocation in which 
he had been brought up in his native 
State, in the " New Design," near 
Eagle Creek, in what is now Monroe 
County. He served several terms as 
a member of the General Assembly 
of Indiana Territory, after it was organized as such, 
and in 1S12-14 he was a Delegate to the Twelfth 
and Thirteenth Congresses, taking his seat Dec. 3, 
1812, and serving until Oct. 3, 1814. These were 
the times, the reader will recollect, when this Gov- 
ernment had its last struggle with Great Britain. 
The year 1812 is also noted in the history of this 
State as that in which the first Territorial Legislature 
was held. It convened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, and 
adjourned Dec. 26, following. 

While serving as Delegate to Congress, Mr. Bond 
was instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emp- 
tion on the public domain. On tlie expiration of his 
term at Washington he was appointed Receiver of 
Public Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of the 
Territory. In company with John G. Comyges, 




Thomas H. Harris, Charles Slade, Michael Jones, 
Warren Brown, Edward Humphries and Charles W 
Hunter, he became a proprietor of the site of the 
initial city of Cairo, whicli they hoped, from its favor- 
able location at the junction of the two great 
rivers near the center of the Great West, would 
rapidly develop into a metropolis. To aid the enter- 
prise, they obtained a special charter from the Legis- 
lature, incorporating both the City and the Bank of 
Cairo. 

In 1818 Mr. Bond was elected the first Governor 
of the State of Illinois, being inaugurated Oct. 6 
that year, which was several weeks before Illinois 
was actually admitted. The facts are these: In 
January, 181 8, the Territorial Legislature sent a peti- 
tion to Congress for the admission of Illinois as a 
State, Nathaniel Pope being then Delegate. The 
petition was granted, fixing the northern line of the 
State on the latitude of the southern extremity of 
Lake Michigan; but the bill was afterward so amend- 
ed as to extend this line to its present latitude. In 
July a convention was called at Kaskaskia to draft a 
constitution, which, however, was not submitted to 
the people. By its provisions, supreme judges, pros 
ecuting attorneys, county and circuit judges, record- 
ers and justices of the peace were all to be appointed 
by the Governor or elected by the Legislature. This 
constitution was accepted by Congress Dec. 30. At 
that time Illinois comprised but eleven counties, 
namely, Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson, 
Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washington 
and Franklin, the northern |)ortion of the State be- 
ing mainly in Madison County. Thus it appears 
that Mr. Bond was honored by the naming of a 



SHADRACH BOND. 



county b.-fore he was elected Governor. The present 
county of Bond is of small limitations, about 60 to 80 
miles south of Springfield. For Lieutenant Governor 
the oeople chose Pierre Menard, a prominent and 
worthy Frenchman, after whom a county in this State 
is named. In this election there were no opposition 
candidates, as the popularity of these men had made 
their promotion to the chief offices of the S^ate, even 
oefore the constitution was drafted, a foregone con- 
tlusion. 

The principal points that excited the people in 
reference to political issues at this period were local 
or "internal improvements," as they were called. 
State banks, location of the capital, slavery and the 
l)ersonal ciiaracteristics of the proposed candidates. 
Mr. Bond represented the "Convention party," for 
introducing slavery into the State, supported by Elias 
Ke It Kane, iiis Secretary of State, and John Mc- 
Lean, while Nathaniel Pope and John P. Cook led 
the anti-slavery element. The people, however, did 
not become very much excited over this issue until 
1820, when the famsus Missouri Compromise was 
adopted by Congress, limiting slavery to the south 
of the parallel of 36° 30' except in Missouri. While 
this measure settled the great slavery controversy, 
so far as the average public sentiment was tempor- 
arily concerned, until 1854, when it was repealed 
under the leadershij) of Stephen A. Douglas, tlie issue 
as considered locally in this State was not decided 
until 1824, after a most furious campaign. (See 
sketch of Gov. Coles.) The ticket of 1818 was a 
compromise one, Bond representing (moderately) the 
pro-slavery sentiment and Menard the anti-slavery. 

An awkward element in the State government 
under Gov. Bond's administration, was the imperfec- 
tion of the State constitution. The Convention 
wished to have Elijah C. Berry for the first Auditor 
of Public Accounts, but, as it was believed that the 
new Governor would not appoint him to the office, 
the Convention declared in a schedule that " an 
auditor of public accounts, an attorney general and 
such other officers of the State as may be necessary, 
may be appointed by the General Assembly." The 
Constitution, as it stood, vested a very large appoint- 
ing power in the Governor; but for the purpose of 
getting one man into office, a total change was made, 
and the power vested in the Legislature. Of this 
provision the Legislature took advantage, and de- 



clared that State's attorneys, canal coaimissioners, 
bank directors, etc., were all '" officers of the State " 
and must therefore be appointed by itself independ- 
ently of the Governor. 

During Gov. Bond's administration a general law 
was passed for the incorporation of academies and 
towns, and one authorizing lotteries. The session of 
1822 authorized the Governor to appoint commis- 
sioners, to act in conjunction with like commissioners 
appointed by the State of Lidiana, to report on the 
practicability and expediency of improving the navi- 
gation of the Wabash River; also inland navigation 
generally. I\Lany improvements were recommended, 
some of which have been feebly worked at even till 
the present day, those along the Wabash being of no 
value. Also, during Gov. Bond's term of office, the 
capital of the State was removed from Kaskaskia to 
Vandalia. Li 1820 a law was passed by Congress 
authorizing this State to open a canal through the 
public lands. The State appointed commissioners 
lo explore the route and prepare the necessary sur- 
veys and estimates, preparatory to its execution ; 
but, being unable out of its own resources to defray 
the expenses of the undertaking, it was abandoned 
until some time after Congress made the grant of 
land for the purpose of its construction. 

On the whole. Gov. Bond's administration was 
fairly good, not being open to severe criticism from 
any party. In 1824, two years after the expiration 
of his term of office, he was brought out as a candi- 
date for Congress against the formidable John P. 
Cook, but received only 4,374 votes to 7,460 for the 
latter. Gov. Bond was no orator, but had made 
many fast friends by a judicious bestowment of his 
gubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealously 
for him in the campaign. 

In 1827 ex-Gov. Bond was appointed by the Leg- 
islature, with Wm. P. McKee and Dr. Gershom 
Jayne, as Commissioners to locate a site for a peni- 
tentiary on the Mississippi at or near Alton. 

Mr. Bond was of a benevolent and convivial dis- 
position, a man of shrewd observation and clear ap- 
preciation of events. His person was erect, stand- 
ing six feet in height, and after middle life becatne 
portly, weighing 200 pounds. His features were 
strongly masculine, complexion dark, hair jet and 
eyes hazel ; was a favorite with the ladies. He died 
April I I, 1830, in peace and contentment. 




Ld/\^<-u^ Coxi<^ 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



««S 





^>«s:Hiiii>.^.$ 



DWARD COLES, second 
Governor of Illinois, 1823- 
. 6, was bom Dec. 15, 1786, 
in Albemarle Co., Va., on 
the old family estate called 
"Enniscorthy," on the 
Green Mountain. His fath- 
er, John Coles, was a Colonel in the 
Revolutionary War. Having been fit- 
ted for college by private tutors, he 
was sent to Hampden Sidney, where 
he remained until the autumn of 1805, 
when he was .enioved to William and 
Mary College, at Williamsburg, Va. 
This college he left in the summer of 
1S07, a short time before the final and graduating 
examination. Among his classmates were Lieut. 
Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wm. S. Archer, 
United States Senator from Virginia, and Justice 
Baldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. The 
President of the latter college, Bishop Madison, was 
a cousin of President James Madison, and that cir- 
cumstance was the occasion of Mr. Coles becoming 
personally acquainted with the President and re- 
ceiving a position as his private secretary, 1809-15. 
The family of Coles was a prominent one in Vir- 
ginia, and their mansion was the seat of the old- 
fashioned Virginian hospitality. It was visited by 
such notables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison, 
Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the 
age of 23, young Cole-; found himself heir to a plant- 
ation and a considerable num'ier of slaves. Ever 
since his earlier college days his attention had been 
drawn 10 the questio 1 of slavery. He read every- 



thing on the subject that came in his way, and 
listened to lectures on the rights of man. The mors 
he reflected upon the subject, the more impossible 
was it for him to reconcile the immortal declaration 
"that all men are born free and equal" with the 
practice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, to 
free his slaves the first opportunity, and even remove 
his residence to a free State. One reason which de- 
termined him to accept the appointment as private 
secretary to Mr. Madisofi was because he believed 
that through the acquaintances he could make at 
Washington he could better determine in what part 
of tlie non-slaveho!dirtg portion of the Union he woulc 
prefer to settle. 

The relations between Mr. Coles and President 
Madison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguished 
men, were of a very friendly character, arising from 
the similarity of their views on the question of slavery 
and their sympathy for each other in holding doc- 
trines so much at variance with the prevailing senti- 
ment in their own State. 

In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent a 
portion of the following autumn in exploring the 
Northwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a lo- 
cation and purchasing lands on which to settle his 
negroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, with 
an extra man and horse for emergencies, through 
many parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, 
determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time, 
however, a misunderstanding arose between our 
Government and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selected 
to repair to St. Petersburg on a special mission, bear- 
ing important papers concerning the matter at issue. 
The result was a conviction of the Emperor (Alex- 



ii6 



EDIVAKD GOLBS. 



ander) of ihe error committed by his minister at 
Wiishington, and the consequent withdrawal of the 
the latter from the post. On his return, Mr. Coles 
visited olher (larts of Europe, especially Paris, where 
ho was introduced to Gen. Lafayette. 

In the spring of 1819, he removed with all his 
negroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, 111., with the 
intention of giving them their liberty. He did not 
make known to them his intention until one beautiftil 
morning in April, as they were descending the Ohio 
River. He lashed all the boats together and called 
all the negroes on deck and made them a short ad- 
dress, concluding his remarks by so expressing him- 
self that by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed in 
the shortest and fullest manner that they were no 
longer slaves, but free as he was and were at liberty 
to proceed with him or go ashore at their pleas- 
ure. A description of the effect upon the negroes is 
best desciibed in his own language : 

"The effect upon them was electrical. They stared 
at n-.e and then at each other, as if doubting the ac- 
curacy or reality of what they heard. In breathless 
silence they stood before me, unable to utter a word, 
but with countenances beaming with expression which 
no words could convey, and which no language 
can describe. As they began to see the truth of 
what they had heard, and realize their situation, there 
came on a kind of hysterical, giggling laugh. After 
a pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathed 
in tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent to 
their gratitude and implored the blessing of God 
on me." 

Before landing he gave them a general certificate 
of freedom, and afterward conformed more particu- 
larly with the law of this State requiring that each 
individual should have a certificate. This act of 
.Mr. Coles, all the more noble and lieroic considering 
the overwhelming pro-slavery influences surrounding 
him, has challenged the admiration of every philan- 
thropist of modern times. 

March 5, i8ig. President Monroe appointed Mr. 
Coles Registrar of the Land Office at Edwardsvil.e, 
at that time one of the principal land offices in the 
State. While acting in this capacity and gaining 
many friends by his politeness and general intelli- 
gence, the greatest struggle that ever occurred in 
Illinois on tlie slavery quesion culminated in the 
furious contest characterizing the campaigns and 
elections of 1822-4. In the summer of 1823, when a 
new Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr. 
Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions, 
putting forward for the executive office Joseph 
Phillips, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C. 
Browne and Gen. James B. Moore, of the State Mil- 
itia. The anti-slavery element united upon Mr. 
Coles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns, 
succeeded in electing him as Governor. His plural- 
ity over Judge Phillips was only 59 in a total vote of 



over 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was elected 

by the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speech 
was marked by calmness, deliberation and such a 
wise expression of appropriate suggestions as to 
elicit the sanction of all judicious politicians. But 
he compromised not with evil.. In his message to 
the Legislature, the seat of Government being then 
at Vandulia, he strongly urged the abrogation of the 
modified form of slavery whi';h then existed in this 
State, contrary to the Ordin.ance of 1787. His posi- 
tion on this subject seems the more remarkable, when 
it is considered that he was a minority Governor, the 
population of Illinois being at that lime almost ex- 
clusively from slave-holding States and by a large 
majority in favor of the perpetuation of tliat old relic 
of barbarism. The Legislature itself was, of course, 
a reflex of the popular sentiment, and a majority of 
them were led on bv fiery men in denunciations of 
the conscientious Governor, and in curses loud and 
deep upon him and all his friends. Some of the 
public men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort of 
mob, or " shiveree " party, who visited the residence 
of the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelled 
and groaned and spat fire. 

The Constitution, not establishing or permitting 
slavery in this State, was thought therefore to be 
defective by the slavery politicians, and they desired 
a State Convention to be elected, to devise and sub- 
mit a new Constitution; and the dominant politics 
of the day was "Convention" and "anti-Conven- 
tion." Both parties issued addresses to the people, 
Gov. Coles himself being the author of the address 
published by the latter party. This address revealed 
the schemes of the conspirators in a masterly man- 
ner. It is difficult for us at this distant day to esti- 
inate the critical and extremely delicate situation in 
which the Governor was placed at that time. 

Our hero maintained himself honorably and with 
supreme dignity throughout his administration, and 
in his honor a county in this State is named. He 
was truly a great man, and those who lived in 
this State during his sojourn here, like those who 
live at the base of the mountain, were too near to see 
and recognize the greatness that overshadowed them. 

Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by Bishop 
De Lancey, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughter 
of Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestry, 
who cami to this country with Wm. Penn in 1682. 

After the expiration of his term of service. Gov. 
Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, sup- 
erintending his farm in the vicinity. He was fond 
of agriculture, and was the founder of the first agri- 
cultural society in the State. On account of ill 
health, however, and having no family to tie him 
down, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities. 
About 1832 he changed his residence to Philadel- 
phia, where he died July 7, 1868, and is buried at 
Woodland, near that city. 




■■^" ^ 



^^yy^Xyy^y-'-^C^-^i^i-y O <:y^^ 



GOVERNORS OF ILL/JVOfS. 



"9 








-i— <-j-i 



^ INIAN EDWARDS, Governor 
from 1S27 to 1S30, was a sou 
. of Benjamin Edwards, and 
r-^ was born in Montgomery 
\-) County, Maryland, in March, 
' *•; 1775. His domestic train- 
'^v"''~ ing was well fitted to give 
his mind strength, firmness and 
iior.orable principles, and a good 
foundation was laid for the elevated 
character to which he afterwards 
attained. His parents were Bap- 
tists, and very strict in their moral 
piinciples. His education in early 
youth was in company with and 
partly under the tuition of Hon. Wm. 
Wirt, whom his father patronized 
and who was more than two years 
older. An intimacy was thus 
formed between them which was lasting for life. He 
was further educated at Dickinson College, at Car 
lisle, Pa. He next commenced the study of law, but 
before completing his course he moved to Nelson 
County, Ky., to open a farm for his father and to 
purchase homes and locate lands for his brothers and 
sisters. Here he fell in the company of dissolute 
companions, and for several years led the life of a 
spendthrift. He was, however, elected to the Legis- 
lature of Kentucky as the Representative of Nelson 
i!ounty before he was 2 i years of age, and was re- 
elected by an almost unanimous vote. 



-^>— 5- 




In 1798 he was licensed to practice law, and the 
following year was admitted to the Courts of Tennes- 
see. About this time he left Nelson County for 
Russellville, in Logan County, broke away from his 
dissolute companions, commenced a reformation and 
devoted himself to severe and laborious study. He 
then began to rise rapidly in his profession, and soon 
became an eminent lawyer, and inside of four years 
he filled in succession the offices of Presiding Judge 
of the General Court, Circuit Judge, fourth Judge of 
the Court of Appeals and Chief Justice of the State, 
— all before he was 32 years of age! In addition, in 
1S02, he received a commission as Major of a battal- 
ion of Kentucky militia, and in r8o4 was chosen a 
Presidential Elector, on the Jefferson and Clinton 
ticket. In 1806 he was a candidate for Congress, 
bat withdrew on being promoted to the Court of 
A])peals. 

Illinois was organized as a separate Territory in 
the spring of 1809, when Mr. Edwards, then Chief 
Justice of the Court of Appeals in Kentucky, received 
from President Madison the appointment as Gover- 
nor of the new Territory, his commission bearing date 
April 24, r8o9. Edwards arrived at Kaskaskia in 
June, and on the i ith of that month took the oath of 
office. At the same time he was appointed Superin- 
tendent of the United States Saline, this Government 
interest then developinginto considerable proportions 
in Southern Illinois. Although during the first three 
years of his administration he had the power to make 
new counties and appoint all the officers, yet he always 
allowed the people of each county, by an informal 



I20 



NINIAN EDWARDS. 



vote, to select their own officers, both civil and mili- 
tary. The noted John J. Crittenden, afterward 
United States Senator from Kentucky, was appointed 
by Gev. Edwards to the office of Attorney General of 
the Territory, which office was accepted for a short 
time only. 

The Indians in i8io committing sundry depreda- 
tions in tlie Territory, crossing the Mississippi from 
the Territory of Louisiana, a long correspondence fol- 
lowed between the respective Governors concerning 
the remedies, which ended in a council with the sav- 
ages at Peoria in 1812, and a fresh interpretation of 
the treaties. Peoria was depopulated by these de- 
predations, and was not re-settled for many _years 
afterward. 

As Gov. Edwards' term of office expired by law in 
i8i2, he was re-appointed lor another term of three 
years, and again in 1815 for a third term, serving 
until the organization of the State in the fall of 1818 
and the inauguration of Gov. Bond. At this time 
ex-Gov. Edwards was sent to the United States 
Senate, his colleague being Jesse B. Thomas. As 
Senator, Mr. Edwards took a conspicuous part, and 
acquitted himself honorably in all the measures that 
came up in tliat body, being well posted, an able de- 
oater and a conscientious statesman. He thought 
seriously of resigning this situation in 1821, but was 
Ijcrsuaded by his old friend, \Vm. Wirt, and others to 
continue in office, which he did to the end of the 
term. 

He was then appointed Minister to Me.xico by 
President Monroe. About this time, it appears that 
Mr. Edwards saw suspicious signs in the conduct of 
Wni. H. Crawford, Secretary of the United States 
Treasury, and an ambitious candidate for the Presi- 
dency, and being implicated by the latter in some of 
his statements, he resigned his Mexican mission in 
order fully to investigate the charges. The result 
was the exculpation of Mr. Edwards. 

Pro-slavery regulations, often termed "Black Laws," 
disgraced the statute books of both the Territory and 
.he State of Illinois during the whole of his career in 
Jiis commonwealth, and Mr. Edwards always main- 
tained the doctrines of freedom, and was an important 
r.ctor in the great struggle which ended in a victory 
Tor bis party in 1824. 

In 1826 7 the Winnebago and other Indians com- 
mitted son-e depredations in the northern part of the 



State, and the white settlers, who desired the land'; 
and wished to exasperate the savages into an evacu- 
ation of the country, magnified the misdemeanors of 
the aborigines and thereby produced a hostility be- 
tween the races so great as to precipitate a little war, 
known in history as the "Winnebago War." -A. few 
chases and skirmishes were had, when Gen. Atkinson 
succeeded in capturing Red Bird, the Indian chief, 
and putting him to death, thus ending the contest, at 
least until the troubles commenced which ended in 
the " Black Hawk War " of 1S32. In the interpre- 
tation of treaties and execution of their provisions 
Gov. Edwards had much vexatious work to do. The 
Indians kept themselves generally within the juris- 
diction of Michigan Territory, and its Governor, 
Lewis Cass, was at a point so remote that ready cor- 
respondence with him was difficult or impossible. 
Gov. Edwards' administration, however, in regard to 
the protection of the Illinois frontier, seems to have 
been very efficient and satisfactory. 

For a considerable portion of his time after his re- 
moval to Illinois, Gov. Edwards resided upon his 
farm near Kaskaskia, which he had well stocked with 
horses, cattle and sheep from Kentucky, also with 
fruit-trees, grape-vines and shrubbery. He estab- 
lished saw and grist-mills, and engaged extensively 
in mercantile business, having no less than eight or ten 
stores in this State and Missouri. Notwitlistanding 
the arduous duties of his office, he nearly always pur- 
chased the goods himself with which to supply the 
stores. Although not a regular practitioner of medi- 
cine, he studied the healing art to a considerable ex- 
tent, and took great pleasure in prescribing for, and 
taking care of, the sick, generally without charge. 
He was also liberal to the poor, several widows and 
ministers of the gospel becoming indebted to him 
even for their homes. 

He married Miss Elvira Lane, of Maryland, in 
1803, and they became the affectionate parents of 
several children, one of whom, especially, is weh' 
known to the people of the " Prairie State," namely, 
Ninian Wirt Edwards, once the Superintendent c< 
Public Instruction and still a resident of Springfield 
Gov. Edwards resided at and in the vicinity of Kas- 
kaskia from 180910 t8i8; in Edwardsville (named 
after hiin) from that time to 1824; and from the lat- 
ter date at Belleville, St. Clair County, until his 
death, July 20, 1833, of Asiatic cliolera. Edwards 
Countv is also named in his honor. 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 




^^ 



;^^^€»^V®)®©V(2Xi)^^f(2) 



- >t «fr 



iOHN REYNOLDS, Governor 1831- 

'■ {&»^ 4, was born in Montgomery Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788. 
His father, Robert Reynolds and 
liis mother, 7iee Margaret Moore, 
were both natives of Ireland, from 
which country they emigrated to 
the United States in 1785, land- 
ing at Philadelphia. The senior 
Reynolds entertained an undying 
hostility to the British Govern- 
ment. When the subject of this 
sketch was about six months old, 
his parents emigrated with him to 
Tennessee, where many of their 
relatives had already located, at the base of fhe 
Copper Ridge Mountain, about 14 miles northeast of 
the present city of Knoxville. There they were ex- 
posed to Indian depredations, and were much molest- 
ed by them. In 1794 they moved into the interior 
of the State. They were poor, and brought up their 
children to habits of manual industry. 

In 1800 tl%e family removed to Kaskaskia, III., with 
eight horses and two wagons, encountering many 
Hardships on the way. Here young Reynolds passed 
the most of his childhood, while his character began 
to develop, the most prominent traits of which were 
ambition and energy. He also adopted the principle 
and practice of total abstinence from intoxicating 
liquors. In 1807 the family made another removal, 




this time to the " Goshen Settlement," at the foot of 
the Mississippi bluffs three or four miles southwest 
of Edwardsville. 

On arriving at his 20th year, Mr. Reynolds, seeing 
that he must look about for his own livelihood and 
not yet having determined what calling to pursue, 
concluded first to attend college, and he accordingly 
went to such an institution of learning, near Knox- 
ville, Tenn., where he had relatives. Imagine his 
diffidence, when, after passing the first 20 years of 
liis life without ever having seen a carpet, a papered 
wall or a Windsor chair, and never having lived in a 
shingle-roofed house, he suddenly ushered himself 
into the society of the wealthy in the vicinity of 
Knoxville! He attended college nearly two years, 
going through the principal Latin authors; but it 
seems that he, like the rest of the world in modern 
times, had but very little use for his Latin in after 
life. He always failed, indeed, to exhibit any good 
degree of literary disciphne. He commenced tlie 
study of law in Knoxville, but a pulmonary trouble 
came on and compelled him to change his mode 
of life. Accordingly he returned home and re- 
cuperated, and in 1812 resumed his college and 
law studies at Knoxville. In the fall of 1812 he was 
admitted to the Bar at Kaskaskia. About this time 
he also learned the French language, which he 
practiced with pleasure in conversation with his 
family for many years. He regarded this language 
as being superior to all others for social intercourse. 



JOHN REYNOLDS. 



From his services in the West, in the war of 1812, 
he obtained the sobriquet of the " Old Ranger." He 
was Orderly Sergeant, then Judge Advocate. 

Mr. Reynolds opened his first law office in the 
winter and spring of 1814, in the French village of 
Cahokia, then the capital of St. Clair County. 

In the fall of 1818 he was elected an Associate 
Justice upon the Supreme Bench by the General 
Assembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly than 
ever into the practice of law, and the very next year 
was elected a member of the Legislature, where he 
acted independently of all cliques and private inter- 
ests. In 1828 the Whigs and Democrats were for 
the first time distinctively organized as such in Illi- 
nois, and the usual party bitterness grew up and 
raged on all sides, while Mr. Reynolds preserved a 
'udicial calmness and moderation. The real animus 
.if the campaign was " Jackson " and " anti-Jackson," 
'he former party carrying the State. 

In August, 1830, Mr. Reynolds was elected Gov- 
ernor, amid great excitement. Installed in office, he 
did all within his power to advance the cause of edu- 
cation, internal improvements, the Illinois & Mich- 
igan Canal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the coun- 
try, etc.; also recc mmended the winding up of the 
State Bank, as its affairs had become dangerously 
complicated. In his national |)olitics, he was a 
moderate supporter of General Jackson. But the 
most celebrated event of his gubernatcrial admin- 
istration was the Black Hawk War, which occurred 
in 1832. He called out the militia and prosecuted 
the contest with commendable diligence, appearing 
in person on the battle-grounds during the most 
critical periods. He was recognized by the President 
as Major-General, and authorized by him to make 
treaties with the Indians. By the assistance of the 
general Government the war was terminated without 
much bloodshed, but after many serious fights. This 
war, as well as everything else, was materially re- 
tarded by the occurrence of Asiatic cholera in the 
West. This was its first appearance liere, and was 
the ne.xt event in prominence during Gov. Reynolds' 
term. 

South Carolina nullification coming up at this time, 
t was heartily condemned by both President Jackson 
c-.nd Gov. Reynolds, who took precisely the same 
grounds as the Unionists in the last war. 

On the termination of his gubernatorial term in 
.834, Gov. Reynolds was elected a Member of Con- 
gress, still coiisidering himself a backwoodsman, as 
'e had scarcely been outside of the State since he 
Decame of age, and had spent nearly all his youthful 
days in the wildest region of the frontier. His first 
move in Congress was to adopt a resolution that in 
all elections made by the House for officers the votes 
should be given viva voce, each member in Iris place 
naming aloud the person for whom he votes. This 
created considerable heated discussion, but was es- 



sentially adopted, and remained the controlling prin- 
ciple for many years. The ex-Governor was scarcely 
'c'oicnt from his seat a single day, during eight ses- 
sions of Congress, covering a period of seven year-., 
and he never vacillated in a party vote; but he failed 
to get the Democratic party to foster his " National 
Road" scheme. He says, in " My Own Times " (a 
large autobiography he published), that it was only 
by rigid economy that he avoided insolvency while in 
Washington. Daring his sojourn in that city he was 
married, to a lady of the place. 

In 1837, while out of Congress, and in company 
with a few others, he built the first railroad in the 
Mississippi Valley, namely, one about si.v miles long, 
leading from his coal mine in the Mississippi bluff to 
the bank of the river opposite St. Louis. Having not 
the means to purchase a locomotive, they operated it 
by horse-power. The next spring, however, the com- 
pany sold out, at great sacrifice. 

In 1839 the ex-Governor was appointed one of the 
Canal Commissioners, and authorized to borrow 
money to prosecute the enterprise. Accord'ngly, he 
repaired to Philadelphia and succeeding in obtaining 
a million dollars, which, however, was only a fourth 
of what was wanted. The same year he and his 
wife made at our of Europe. This year, also, Mr. 
Reynolds had the rather awkward little responsibility 
of iiitroducing to President Van Buren the noted 
Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-Day 
Saint!" 

In 1846 Gov. Reynolds was elected a member of 
the Legislature from St. Clair County, more particu- 
larly for the purpose of obtaining a feasible charter 
for a macadamized road from Belleville to St. Louis, 
a distance of nearly 14 miles. This was immediately 
built, and was the first road of the kind in the State. 
He was again elected to the Legislature in 1852, when 
he was chosen Speaker of the House. In i860, aged 
and infirm, he attended the National Democratic 
Convention at Charleston, S. C , as an anti-Douglas 
Delegate, where he received more attention from the 
.Southern Delegates than any other member. He 
supixjrted Breckenridge for the Presidency. After 
the October elections foreshadowed the success of 
Lincoln, he published an address urging the Demo- 
crats to rally to the support of Douglas. Immedi- 
ately preceding and during the late war, his corre- 
spondence evinced a clear sympathy for the Southern 
secession, and about the first of March, i86r, he 
urged upon the Buchanan officials the seizure of the 
treasure and arms in the custom-house and arsenal 
at St. Louis. Mr. Reynolds was a rather talkative 
man, and apt in all the Western phrases and catch- 
words that ever gained currency, besides many cun- 
ning and odd ones of his own manufacture. 

He was married twice, but had no children. He 
died in Belleville, in May, 1865, just after the close 
of the "war. 



!| 








GO VERA'ORS OF ILLINOIS. 



'*7 





ILLIAM LEE D. EWING, 
Governor of Illinois Nov. 3 
■;3 to 17, 1834, was a native 
of Kentucky, and probably 
of Scotch ancestry. He had 
■^ a fine education, was a gentle- 
man of polished manners and 
refined sentiment. In 1830 John Rey- 
nolds was elected Governor of the State, 
and Zadok Casey Lieutenant Governor, 
and for the principal events that followed, 
and the characteristics of the times, see 
sketch of Gov. Reynolds. The first we 
J^"^ see in history concerning Mr. Ewing, in- 
forms us that he was a Receiver of Public 
Moi cys at Vandalia soon after the organization of 
tfli.s State, and that the public moneys in his hands 
vere deposited in various banks, as they are usually 
■■'■ tJK /resent day. In 1823 the State Bank was 
obbed, by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousand- 
dollar deposit. 

The subject of this sketcli had a commission as 
(olonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergencies 
ne aci^ed also as Major. In the summer of 1S32, 
•"/hen I w'as rumored among the whites that Black 
Hawk ar.d his men had encamped somewhere on 
Rock River, Gen. Henry was sent on a tour of 
reconnoisance, and witji orders to drive the Indians 
from the State. After some opposition from his 
rubordinate officers, Henry resolved to proceed up 
Rock River in search of the enemy. On the 19th of 
July, early in the morning, five baggage wagons. 



camp equipage and all heavy and cumbersome arti- 
cles were piled up and left, so that the army might 
make speedy and forced marches. For some miles 
the travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swamps 
and the worst thickets ; but the large, fresh trail 
gave life and animation to the Americans. Gen. 
Dodge and Col. Ewing were both actmg as Majors, 
and composed the " spy corps " or vanguard of the 
army. It is supposed the army marched nearly 50 
miles this day, and the Indian trail they followed 
became fresher, and was strewed with much property 
and trinkets of the red-skim that they had lost or 
thrown away to hasten their march. During the 
following night there was a terrific thunder-storm, and 
the soldiery, with all their appurtenances, were thor- 
oughly drenched. 

On approaching nearer the Indians the next day. 
Gen. Dodge and Major Ewing, each commanding a 
battalion of men, were placed in front to bring on the 
battle, but the savages were not overtaken this day 
Forced marches were continued until they reached. 
Wisconsin River, where a veritable battle ensued, 
resulting in the death of about 68 of Black Hawk's 
men. The next day they continued the chase, and 
as soon as he discovered the trail of the Indians 
leading toward the Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formed 
his battalion in order of battle and awaited the order 
of Gen. Henry. The latter soon appeared on the 
ground and ordered a charge, wliich directly resulted 
in chasing the red warriors across the great river. 
Maj. Ewing and his command proved particularly 
efficient in war, as it seems they were the chief actors 
in driving the main body of the Sacs and Foxes, in- 



138 



WILLIAM L. D. EWING. 



eluding Black Hawk himself, across the Mississippi, 
while Gen. Atkinson, commander-in-chief of the ex- 
pedition, with a body of the army, was hunting for 
them in another direction. 

In the above affair Maj. Ewing is often referred to 
as a "General," wh.ich title he had derived from his 
connection with the militia. 

It was in the latter part of the same year (1832) 
that Lieutenant Governor Casey was elected to Con- 
gress and Gen. Ewing, who had been elected to tlie 
Genate, was chosen to preside over that body. At 
the August election of 1S34, Gov. Reynolds was also 
elected to Congress, more than a year ahead of the 
time at which he could actually take his seat, as was 
then the law. His predecessor, Chailes Slade, had 
just died of Asiatic cholera, soon after the elec- 
tion, and Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out his 
unexpired term. Accordingly he set out for Wash- 
ington in November of that year to take his seat in 
Congress, and Gen. Ewing, by virtue of his office as 
President of the Senate, became Governor of the 
State of Illinois, his term covering only a period of 
15 days, namely, from the 3d to the r7th d;iys, in- 
clusive, of November. On the 17th the Legislature 
met, and Gov. Ewing transmitted to that body his 
message, giving a statement of the condition of the 
affairs of the State at that time, and urging a contin- 
uance of the policy adopted by his predecessor ; and 
on the same day Governor elect Joseph Duncan 
'^'as sworn into office, thus relieving Mr. Ewing from 



the responsible situation. This is tlie only time that 
such a juncture has happened in the history of Illi- 
nois. 

On the 29th of December, 1835, Gen. Ewing was 
elected a United States Senator to serve out the 
unex[)ired term of Elias Kent Kane, deceased. The 
latter gentleman was a very prominent figure in the 
early politics of Illinois, and a county in this State is 
named in his honor. The election of Gen. Ewing to 
the Senate was a protracted struggle. His competi- 
tors were James Semple, who afterwards held several 
important offices in this State, and Richard M. 
Young, afterward a United States Senator and a 
Supreme Judge and a man of vast influence. On 
the first ballot Mr. Semple had 25 votes. Young 19 
and Ewing 18. On the eighth ballot Young was 
dropped ; the ninth and tenth stood a tie ; but on 
the 1 2th Ewing received 40, to Semple 37, and was 
accordingly declared elected. In 1S37 Mr. Ewing 
received some votes for a continuance of his term in 
Congress, when Mr. Young, just referred to, was 
elected. In 1842 Mr. Ewing was elected State 
Audit-:-r on the ticket with Gov Ford. 

Gen. Ewing was a gentleman of culture, a lawyer 
by profession, and was much in public life. In person 
he was above medium height and of heavy build, 
with auburn hair, blue eyes, large-sized head and 
short face. He was genial, social, friendly and 
affable, with fair talent, though of no high degree of 
originality. He died March 25, 1846. 





J^^^^^^l^ ^ 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



iix 









i.-vr,r^^;?^^gy3; 






OSEPH DUNCAN, Governor 
1834-8, was born at Paris, 
Ky., Feb. 23, 1794. At the 
tender age of 19 years he en- 
hsted in the war against Great 
. . ^ ^ / Britain, and as a soldier he 

e, i^*.,' i^ acquitted himself with credit. He 
was an Ensign under the daunt- 
less Croghan at Lower .Sandusky, 
or Fort Stephenson. In Illinois 
he first appeared in a public capa- 
city as Major-General of the Militia, 
a position which his military fame 
had procured him. Subsequently 
he became a State Senator from 
Jackson County, and is honorably 
mentioned for introducing the first bill providing for 
a free-school system. In 1826, when the redoubt- 
able John P. Cook, who had previously beaten such 
men as John McLean, Elias Kent Kane and ex- 
Gov. Bond, came up for the fourth time for Congress, 
Mr. Duncan was brought forward against him by his 
friends, greatly to the surprise of all the politicians. 
As yet he was but little known in the Stale. He was 
an original Jackson man at that time, being attached 
to his political fortune in admiration of the glory of 
his militaty achievements. His chances of success 
against Cook were generally regarded as hopeless, 
but he entered upon the campaign undaunted. His 
speeches, though short and devoid of ornament, were 
full of good sense. He made a diligent canvass of 
the State, Mr. Cook being hindered by the condition of 
his health. The most that was expected of Mr. 
Duncan, under the circumstances, was that he would 



obtain a respectable vote, but without defeating Mr 
Cook. The result of the campaign, however, was a 
source of surprise and amazement to both friends 
and foes, as Mr. Duncan came out 641 votes ahead! 
He received 6,321 votes, and Mr. Cook 5,680. Un- 
til this denouemenf, the violence of party feeling 
smoldering in the breasts of the people on account 
of the defeat of Jackson, was not duly appreciated. 
Aside from the great convention struggle of 1824, no 
other than mere local and pergonal considerations 
had ever before controlled an election in Illinois. 

From the above date Mr. Duncan retained his 
seat in Co:igress until his election as Governor in 
.August, 1834. The first and bloodless year of the 
Black Hawk War he was appointed by Gov. Rey- 
nolds to the position of Brigadier-General of the 
volunteers, and he conducted his brigade to Rock 
Island. But he was absent from the State, in Wash- 
ington, during the gubernatorial campaign, and did 
not personally participate in it, but addressed circu- 
lars to his constituents. His election was, indeed, 
attributed to the circumstance of his absence, be- 
cause his estrangement from Jackson, formerly his 
political idol, and also from the Democracy, largely 
in ascendency in the State, wras complete; but while 
his defection was well known to his Whig friends, 
and even to the leading Jackson men of this State, 
the latter were unable to carry conviction of that fact 
to the masses, as mail and newspaper facilities at 
that day were far inferior to those of the present 
time. Of course the Governor was much abused 
afterward by the fossilized Jackson men who re- 
garded party ties and affiliations as above all 
other issues that could arise; but he was doubtless 



'32 



JOSEPH DUNCAN. 



sincere in his opposition to the old hero, as the latter 
/;ad vetoed several important western measures 
which were dear to Mr. Duncan. In his inaugural 
message he threw off the mask and took a bold stand 
pgainst the course of the President. The measures 
■-.e recommended in his message, however, were so 
desirable that the Legislature, although by a large 
majority consisting of Jackson men, could not refrain 
from endorsing them. These measures related 
:'jainly to banks and internal improvements. 

It was while Mr. Duncan was Governor that the 
people of Illinois went whirling on with bank and in- 
ternal improvement schemes that well nigh bank- 
-upted the State. The hard times of 1837 came on, 
and the disasters that attended the inauguration of 
Jiese plans and the operation of the banks were mu- 
tually charged upon the two political parties. Had 
any one man autocratic power to introduce and 
carry on any one of these measures, he would proba- 
bly have succeeded to the satisfaction of the public; 
Lut as many jealous men had hold of the same plow 
nandle, no success followed and each blamed the other 
for the failure. In this great vortex Gov. Duncan 
was carried along, suffering the like derogation of 
character with his fellow citizens. 

At the height of the excitement the Legislature 
" provided for " railroads from Galena to Cairo, Alton 
to Shawneetown, Alton to Mount Carmel, Alton to the 
eastern boundary of the State in the direction of 
Terre Haute, Quincy via Springfield to the Wabash, 
Blooraington to Pekin, and Peoria to Warsaw, — in all 
about 1,300 miles of road. It also provided for the 
improvement of the navigation of the Kaskaskia, 
Illinois, Great and Little Wabash and Rock Rivers ; 
also as a placebo, $200,000 in money were to be dis- 
tributed to the various counties wherein no improve- 
ments were ordered to be made as above. The 
estimate for the expenses for all these projects was 
jlaced at a little over $10,000,000, which was not 
more i.ian half enough! That would now be equal to 
saddling upon the State a debt of $225,000,000! It 
was sufficient to bankrupt the State several times 
over, even counting all the possible benefits. 

One of the itiost exciting events that ever occurred 
in this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Love- 
ioy in the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan's 
term as Governor. Lovejoy was an " Abolitionist," 
editing the Observer at that place, and the pro- 
glavery slums th^re fgyrned themselves into a. mob, 



and after destroying successively three presses be- 
longing to Mr. Lovejoy, surrounded the warehouse 
where the fourth press was stored away, endeavoring 
to destroy it, and where Lovejoy and his friends 
were entrenching themselves, and shot and killed the 
brave reformer! 

About this time, also, the question of removing the 
State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit for 
its existence at Vandalia was drawing to a close. 
There was, of course, considerable excitement over 
the matter, the two main points competing for it be- 
ing Springfield and Peoria. The jealousy of the lat- 
ter place is not even yet, 45 years afterward, fully 
allayed. 

Gov. Duncan's term expired in 1838. In 1842 
he was again proposed as a candidate for the Execu- 
tive chair, this time by the Whig party, against Adam 
W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, the nominee of the 
Democrats. Charles W. Hunter was a third candi- 
date for the same position. Mr. Snyder, however, died 
before the campaign had advanced very far, and his 
party substituted Thomas Ford, who was elected 
receiving 46,901 votes, to 38,584 for Duncan, and 
909 for Hunter. The cause of Democratic success 
at this time is mainly attributed to the temporary 
supjx>rt of the Mormons which they enjoyed, and the 
want of any knowledge, on the part of the masses, 
ihat Mr. Ford was opposed to any given policy en- 
tertained in the respective localities. 

Gov. Duncan was a man of rather limited educa- 
tion, but with naturally fine abilities he profited 
greatly by his various public services, and gathered 
a store of knowledge regarding public affairs which 
served him a ready purpose. He possessed a clear 
judgment, decision, confidence in himself and moral 
courage to carry out his convictions of right. In his 
deportment he was well adapted to gain the admira- 
tion of the people. His intercourse with them was 
both affable and dignified. His portrait at the Gov- 
ernor's mansion, from which tire accompanying was 
made, represents him as having a swarthy complex- 
ion, high cheek bones, broad forehead, piercing black 
eyes and straight black hair. 

He was a liberal patron of the Illinois College at 
Jacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, and 
died, after a short illness, Jan. 15, 1844, a devoted 
member of the Presbyterian Ciiurch, leaving a wife 
but no children. Two children, born to them, had 
died in infancy. 



GOVERNORS OF JLLINO/S. 



<5S 



^ingnn^a^^o^o^p^^^gg(^s^o]^^ngmgn 









^^^^^^^^^HOMAS CARLIN, the sixth 
"'^ Governor of the State of 

Illinois, serving from 1838 
to 1S42, was also a Ken- 
tuckian, being born near 
Frankfort, that State, July 
18, 1789, of Irish paternity, 
opportunities for an education 
being very meager in his native 
place, he, on approaching years of 
judiiment and maturity, applied 
himself to those branches of learn- 
ing that seemed most important, 
and thus became a self-made man ; 
and his taste for reading and 
S'lXXA'fft study remained with him through 
^v»^i»^v<* jjfg_ Y\\ 1803 his father removed 

to Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where he 
died in 1810. 

In 181 2 young Carlin came to Illinois and partici- 
pated in all the "ranging" service incident to the 
war of that period, proving himself a soldier of un- 
daunted bravery. In 1814 he married Rebecca 
Huitt, and lived for four years on the bank of the 
Mississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Mis- 
souri, where he followed farming, and then removed 
to Greene County. He located the town site of Car- 
rir 'ton, in that county, and in 1825 made a liberal 
donation of land for county building purposes. He 
was the first Sheriff of that county after its separate 
organization, and afterward was twice elected, as a 
Jackson Democrat, to the Illinois Senate. In the 
Black Hawk War he commanded a spy battalion, a 
post of considerable danger. In 1834 he was ap- 
pointed by President Jackson to the position of 
Receiver of Public Moneys, and to fulfill the office 



more conveniently he removed to the city of Quincy. 

While, in 1838, the unwieldy internal improvement 
system of the State was in full operation, with all its 
expensive machinery, amidst bank suspensions 
throughout the United States, a great stringency in 
the money market everywhere, and Illinois bonds 
forced to sale at a heavy discount, and the " hardest 
times " existing that the people of the Prairie State 
ever saw, the general election of State officers was 
approaching. Discreet men who had cherished the 
hope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatua- 
tion, met with disappointment. A Governor and 
Legislature were to be elected, and these were now 
looked forward to for a repeal of the ruinous State 
policy. But the grand scheme had not yet lost its 
dazzling influence upon the minds of the people. 
Time and experience had not yet fully demonstrated 
its utter absurdity. Hence the question of arresting 
its career of profligate expenditures did not become 
a leading one with the dominant party during the 
campaign, and most of the old members of the Leg- 
islature were returned at this election. 

Under these circumstances the Democrats, in State 
Convention assembled, nominated Mr. Carlin for the 
office of Governor, and S. H. Anderson for Lieuten- 
ant Governor, while the Whigs nominated Cyrus Ed- 
wards, brother of Ninian Edwards, formerly Governor, 
and W. H. Davidson. Edwards came out strongly 
for a continuance of the State policy, while Carli: 
remained non-committal. This was the first time 
that the two main political parties in this State were 
unembarrassed by any third party in the field. The 
result of the election was: Carlin, 35,573; Ander- 
son, 30,335; Edwards, 29,629; and Davidson, 28,- 

7i.'5- 

Upon the meeting of the subsequent Legislature 
(1839), the retiring Governor CDuncan') in his mes- 



*36 



THOMAS CARUN. 



sage spoke in emphatic terms of the impohcy of the 
internal improvement system, presaging the evils 
threatened, and mged that body to do their utmost 
to correct the great error ; yet, on the contrary, the 
Legislature not only decided to continue the policy 
but also added to its burden by voting more appro- 
priations and ordering more improvements. Although 
the money market was still stringent, a further loan 
of $4,000,000 wfas ordered for the Illinois & Mich- 
igan Canal alone. Cn'cago at that time began to 
loom up and promise to be an important city, even 
the great emporium of the West, as it has since in- 
deed came to be. Ex-Gov. Reynolds, an incompe- 
tent financier, was commissioned to effect the loan, 
and accordingly hastened to the East on this respons- 
ible errand, and negotiated the loans, at considera- 
ble sacrifice to the State. Besides this embarrassment 
Jc Carlin's administration, the Legislature also de- 
clared that he had no authority to appoint a Secretary 
of State until a vacancy existed, and A. P. Field, a 
Whig, who had already held the post by appointment 
ihrough three administrations, was determined to 
keep the place a while longer, in spite of Gov. Car- 
lin's preferences. The course of the Legislature in 
this regard, however, was finally sustained by the 
Supreme Court, in a quo warranto case brought up 
before it by John A. McClernand, whom the Gov- 
ernor had nominated for the office. Thereupon that 
dignified body was denounced as a "Whig Court!" 
endeavoring to estabhsh the principle of life-tenure 
of office. 

A new law was adopted re-organizing the Judici- 
ary, and under it five additional Supreme Judges 
were elected by the Legislature, namely, Thomas 
Ford (afterward Governor), Sidney Breese, Walter B. 
Scales, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas — 
all Democrats. 

It was during Gov. Carlin's administration that the 
noisy campaign of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too " oc- 
curred, resulting in a Whig victory. This, however, 
did net affect Illinois politics very seriously. 

Another prominent event in the West during Gov. 
Carlin's term of office was the excitement caused by 
the Mormons and their removal from Independence, 
Mo., to Nauvoo, 111., in 1840. At the same time 
they began to figure somewhat in State politics. On 
account of their believing — as they thought, accord- 
ing to the New Testament — that tliey should have 



"all things common," and that consequently "all 
the earth " and all that is upon it were the" Lord's " 
and therefore the property of his " saints," they 
were suspected, and correctly, too, of committing 
many of the deeds of larceny, robbery, etc., that 
were so rife throughout this country in those days. 
Hence a feeling of violence grew up between the 
Mormons and "anti-Mormons." In the State of 
Missouri the Mormons always supported the Dem- 
ocracy until they were driven out by the Democratic 
government, when they turned their support to the 
Whigs. They were becoming numerous, and in the 
Legislature of 1840-1, therefore, it became a matter 
of great interest with both parties to conciliate these 
people. Through the agency of one John C. Ben- 
nett, a scamp, the Mormons succeeded in rushing 
through the Legislature (both parties not darin.^ ;o 
oppose) a charter for the city of Nauvoo which vir- 
tually erected a hierarchy co-ordinate with the Fed- 
eral Government itself. In the fall of 1841 the 
Governor of Missouri made a demand upon Gov. 
Carlin for the body of Joe Smith, the Mormon leader, 
as a fugitive from justice. Gov. Carlin issued thi 
writ, but for some reason it was returned unserved. 
It was again issued in 1842, and Smith was arrested, 
but was either rescued by his followers or discharged 
by the municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus. 

In December, 1841, the Democratic Convention 
nominated Adam W. Snyder, of Belleville, for Gov- 
ernor. As he had been, as a member of the Legisla- 
ture, rather friendly to the Mormons, the latter 
naturally turned their support to the Democratic 
party. The next spring the Whigs nominated Ex- 
Gov. Duncan for the same office. In the meantime 
the Mormons began to grow more odious to the 
masses of the people, and the comparative prospects 
of the respective parties for success became very 
problematical. Mr. Snyder died in May, and 
Thomas Ford, a Supreme Judge, was substituted as 
a candidate, and was elected. 

At the close of his gubernatorial term, Mr. Carlin 
removed back to his old home at CarroUton, where 
he spent the remainder of his life, as before his ele- 
vation to office, in agricultural pursuits. In iS^g 
he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in the 
Illinois House of Representatives, and died Feb. 4, 
1852, at his residence at CarroUton, leaving a wife 
and seven children. 




Oj 




'^7-'-T'U<A^ 




ciOVEJXNUKS OF ILLINOIS. 



«S* 



?fei'jO->, .^ . • >^a= 




.^-afiS2i^$ 



''"iK t..tA,.t^.t.-..»4A^t «-jg.t.>4t.j>^_j:-s.tg 






5H0MAS FORD, Governor 
from 1842 to 1846, and au- 
tlior of a very interesting 
liistory of Illinois, was born 
at Uniontown, Pa., in the 
year 1 800. His mother, after 
the death of her first hus- 
band (Mr. Forquer), married Rob- 
ert Ford, who was killed in 1802, 
by tiie Indians in the mountains 
of Pennsylvania. She was conse- 
quently left in indigent circum- 
stances, with a large family, mostly 
fe-v girls. With a view to better her 
condition, she, in 1804, removed to 
Missouri, where it had been cus- 
tomary by the Spanish Govern- 
ment to give land to actual settlers; but upon her 
arrival at St. Louis she found the country ceded to 
the United States, and the liberal policy toward set- 
tlers changed by the new ownership. After some 
sickness to herself and family, she finally removed to 
Illinois, and settled some three miles south of Water- 
loo, but the following year moved nearer the Missis- 
sippi bluffs. Here young Ford received his first 



'-W^ 



schooling, under the instructions of a Mr. Humphrey, 
for which he had to walk three miles. His mother, 
though lacking a thorough education, was a woman 
of superior mental endoivments, joined to energy 
and determination of character. She inculcated in 
her children those high-toned principles which dis- 
tinguished her sons in public life. She exercised a 
rigid economy to provide her children an education ; 
but George Forquer, her oldest son (six years older 
than Thomas Ford), at an early age had to quit 
school to aid by his labor in the support of the family. 
He afterward became an eminent man in Illinois 
affairs, and but for his early death would probably 
have been elected to the United States Senate. 

Young Ford, with somewhat better opportunities, 
received a better education, though limited to the 
curriculum of the common school of those pioneer 
times. His mind gave early promise of superior en- 
dowments, with an inclination for mathematics. His 
proficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P. 
Cook, who became his efficient patron and friend. 
The latter gentleman was an eminent Illinois states- 
man who, as a Member of Congress, obtained a grant 
of 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, and after whom the 
county of Cook was named. Through the advice of 



14* 



THOMAS JfQRD, 



this gentleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to the 
study of law; but Forquer, then merchandising, re- 
garding his education defective, sent him to Transyl- 
vania University, where, however, he remained but 
one term, owing to Forquer's failure in business. On 
his return he alternated his law reading with teach- 
i'-,g school for support. 

In 1829 Gov. Edwards appointed hira Prosecuting 
Attorney, and in 1831 he was re-appointed by Gov. 
Reynolds, and after that he was four times elected a 
Judge by the Legislature, without opposition, twice a 
Circuit Judge, once a Judge of Chicago, and as As- 
sociate Judge of the Supreme Court, when, in 184T, 
the latter tribunal was re-organized by the addition 
of five Judges, all Democrats. Ford was assigned to 
the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and while in this capacity 
.ne was holding Court in Ogle County he received a 
notice of his nomination by the Democratic Conven- 
tion for the office of Governor. He immediately re- 
signed his place and entered upon the canvass. In 
August, 1842, he was elected, and on the 8th of De- 
cember following he was inaugurated. 

All the offices which he had held were unsolicited 
by him. He received them upon the true Jefiferson- 
jan principle, — Never to ask .md never to refuse 
(itTice. Both as a lawyer and as a Judge he stood 
deservedly high, but his cast of intellect fitted him 
rather for a writer upon law than a practicing advo- 
cate in the courts. In the latter capacity he was void 
of the moving Dower of eloquence, so necessary to 
success with juries. As a Judge his opinions were 
■jound, lucid and able expositions of the law. In 
practice, he was a stranger to the tact, skill and in- 
iinuating address of the politician, but he saw through 
the arts of demagogues as well as any man. He was 
plain in his demeanor, so much so, indeed, tliat at 
one time after the expiration of his term of office, 
during a session of the Legislature, he was taken by 
a stranger to be a seeker for the position of door- 
keeper, and was wailed upon at his hotel near mid- 
night by a knot of small office-seekers with the view 
of effecting a " combination ! " 

Mr. Ford had not the " brass " of the ordinary 
politician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes a 
political leader. He cared little for money, and 
hardly enough for a decent support. In person he 
was of small stature, slender, of dark comple.iiion, 
with black hair, sharp features, deep-set eyes, a 
pointed, aquiline nose having a decided twist to one 
side, and a small mouth. 

The three most important events in Gov. Ford's 
r.dir.inistration were the establishment of the high 
fmancial credit of the State, the " Mormon War "and 
;he Mexican War. 

In the first of these the Governor proved himself 
to be eminently wise. On coming into office he found 
the State badly paralyzed by the ruinous effects of 
cr.e r.otorious "internal improvement" schemes of 



the preceding decade, with scarcely anything to 
show by way of "improvement." The enterprise 
that seemed to be getting ahead more than all the 
rest was the Illinois & Michigan Canal. As this 
promised to be the most important thoroughfare, 
feasible to the people, it was well under headway in 
its construction. Therefore the State policy was 
almost concentrated upon it, in order to rush it on tc 
completion. The bonded indebtedness of the State 
was growing so large as to frighten the people, and 
they were about ready to entertain a proposition for 
repudiation. But the Governor had the foresight to 
recommend such measures as would maintain the 
pul)lic credit, for which every citizen to-day feels 
thankful. 

But perhaps the Governor is remembered more for 
his connection with the Mormon troubles than for 
anything else; for it was during his term of office 
that the " Latter- Day Saints " became so strong at 
Nauvoo, built their temple there, increased their num- 
bers throughout the country, committed misdemean- 
ors, taught dangerous doctrines, suffered the loss of 
theirleader, Jo Smith, by a violent death, were driven 
out of Nauvoo to the far West, etc. Having been a 
Judge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford of 
course was no i-comniittal concerning Mormon affairs, 
and was therefore claimed by both parties and also 
accused by each of sympathizing too greatly with the 
other side. Mormonism claiming to be a system of 
religion, the Governor no doubt was " between two 
fires," and felt compelled to touch the matter rather 
" gingerly," and doubtless felt greatly relieved when 
th.it pestilential people left the State. Such compli- 
cated matters, especially when religion is mixed up 
with them, expose every person participating in 
them to criticism from all parties. 

The Mexican War was begun in the spring of 
1S45, and was continued into the gubernatorial term 
of Mr. Ford's successor. The Governor's connection 
with this war, however, was not conspicuous, as it 
was only administrative, commissioning officers, etc. 
Ford's " History of Illinois " is a very readable and 
entertaining work, of 450 small octavo pages, and is 
destined to increase in value with the lapse of time. 
It exhibits a natural flow of compact and forcible 
thought, never failing to convey the nicest sense. In 
tracing with his trenchant pen the devious operations 
of the professional politician, in which he is inimit- 
able, his account is open, perhaps, to the objection 
that all his contemporaries are treated as mere place- 
seekers, while many of them have since been judged 
by the people to be worthy statesmen. His writings 
seem slightly open to the criticism that they exhibit 
a little splenetic partiality against those of his con- 
temporaries who were prominent during his term of 
office as Governor. 

The death of Gov. Ford took place at Peoria, 111., 
Nov. 2, 1850. 




..^^4<^^c^ '^^^^^-'^^^ 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



143 








Augustus Oe French. 






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Augustus c. French, 

Governor of Illinois from 
1846 to 1852, was born in 
the town of Hill, in the 
State of New Hampshire, 
Aug. 2, 1S08. He was a 
descendant in the fourth 
generation ot Nathaniel 
Frciii.h, who emigrated from England 
in 16S7 and settled in Saybury, Mass. 
In early life young French lost his 
father, but continued to receive in- 
struction from an exemplary and 
Christian mother until he was 19 years 
old, when she also died, confiding to 
his care and trust four younger broth- 
ers and one sister. He discharged his trust with 
parental devotion. His education in early life was 
Euch mainly as a common school afforded. For a 
Drief period he attended Dartmouth College, but 
from pecuniary causes and the care of his brothers 
and sister, he did not graduate. He subsequently 
read law, and was admitted to the Bar in 183 1, and 
shortly afterward removed to Illinois, settling first at 
Albion, Edwards County, where he established him- 
self in the practice of law. The following year he 
removed to Paris, Edgar County. Here lie attained 
eminence in his profession, and entered public life 
by representing that county in tine Legislature. A 
strong attachment sprang up between him and Ste- 
phen A. Douglas. 

In 1839, Mr. French was appointed Receiver of 
the United States Land Office at Palestine, Craw- 
ford County, at wliich place he was a resident when 



elevated to the gubernatorial chair. In 1844 he was 
a Presidential Elector, and as such he voted for 
James K. Polk. 

The Democratic State Convention of 1846, meet- 
ing at Springfield Feb. 10, nominated Mr. French 
for Governor. Other Democratic candidates were 
Lyman Trumbull, John Calhoun (subsequently of 
Lecompton Constitution notoriety), Walter B. Scales. 
Richard M. Young and A. W. Cavarly, — an array of 
very able and prominent names. Trumbull was per- 
haps defeated in the Convention by the rumor that 
he was opposed to the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
as he had been a year previously. For Lieutenant 
Governor J. B. Wells was chosen, while other candi- 
dates were Lewis Ross, Wm. McMurtry, Newton 
Cloud, J. B. Hamilton and W. W. Thompson. The 
resolutions declared strongly against the resuscita- 
tion of the old State Banks. 

The Whigs, who were in a hopeless minority, held 
their convention June 8, at Peoria, and selected 
Thomas M. Kilpatrick, of Scott County, for Governor, 
and Gen. Nathaniel G. Wilcox, of Schuyler, for 
Lieutenant Governor. 

In the campaign the latter exposed Mr. French's 
record and connection with the passage of the in- 
ternal improvement system, urging it against his 
election ; but in the meantime the war with Mexico 
broke out, regarding which the Whig record was un- 
popular in this State. The war was the absorbing 
and dominating question of the period, sweeping 
every other political issue in its course. The elec- 
tion in August gave Mr. French 58,706 votes, and 
Kilpatrick only 36,775. Richard Eells, Abolitionist 
candidate for the same office, received 5,152 vot«»s 



144 



AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH. 



By t!ie new Constitution of 1848, a new election for 
State officers was ordered in November of that year, 
before Gov. French's term was half out, and he was 
re-elected for the term of four years. He was there- 
fore the incumbent for six consecutive years, the 
only Governor of this State who lias ever served in 
that capacity so long at one time. As there was no 
organized opposition to his election, he received 67,- 
453 votes, to 5,639' for Pierre Menard (son of the 
first Lieutenant Governor), 4,748 for Charles V. 
Dyer, 3,834 for W. L. D. Morrison, and 1,361 for 
James I,. D. Morrison. But Wm. McMurtry, of 
Knox County, was elected Lieutenant Governor, in 
place of Joseph B. Wells, who was before elected 
and did not run again. 

Governor French was inaugurated into office dur- 
ing the progress of the Mexican War, which closed 
during the summer of 1847, although the treaty of 
Guadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2, 
1848. The policy of Gov. French's party was com- 
mitted to that war, bat in connection with that affair 
he was, of course, only an administrative officer. 
During his term of office, Feb. 19, 1847, the Legisla- 
ture, by special permission of Congress, declared that 
all Government lands sold to settlers should be im- 
mediately subject to State taxation; before this tliey 
were exempt for five years after sale. By this ar- 
rangement the revenue was materially increased. 
About the same lime, the distribution of Government 
iand warrants among the Mexican soldiers as bounty 
threw upon the market a great quantity of good 
lands, and this enhanced the settlement of the State. 
The same Legislature authorized, with the recom- 
mendation of the Governor, the sale of the Northern 
Cross Railroad (from Springfield to Meredosia, the 
first in the State and now a section of the Wabasli, 
St. Louis & Pacific) It sold for $r 00,000 in bonds, 
although it iiad cost the State not less than a million. 
The salt wells and canal lands in the Saline reserve 
in Gallatin County, granted by the general Govern- 
ment to the State, were also authorized by the 
Governor to be sold, to apply on the State debt. Li 
1850, for the first time since 1839, the accruing State 
revenue, exclusive of specific appropriations, was 
sufficient to meet the current demands upon the 
treasury. The aggregate taxable property of the 
State at this time was over $100,000,000, and th.-; 
population 851,470. 



In 1S49 the Legiisiature adopted the township or- 
ganization law, which, however, proved defective, 
and was properly amended in 1851. At its session 
in the latter year, the General Assembly also passed 
a law to exempt homesteads from sale on executions 
This beneficent measure had been repeatedly utgeci 
upon that body by Gov. French. 

In 1S50 some business men in St. Louis com- 
menced to build a dike opposite the lower part of 
their city on the Illinois side, to keep the Mississippi 
in its channel near St. Louis, instead of breaking 
away from them as it sometimes threatened to do. 
This they undertook without permission from the 
Legislature or Executive authority of f:his State; and 
as many of the inhabitants thera complained that 
the scheme would inundate and ruin much valuable 
land, there was a slight conflict of jurisdictions, re- 
sulting in favor of the St. Louis project; and since 
then a good site has existed there for a city (East St. 
Louis), and now a score of railroads center there. 

It was in September, 1850, that Congress granted 
to this State nearly 3,000,000 acres of land in aid of 
the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
which constituted the most important epoch in the 
railroad — we might say internal improvement — his- 
tory of the State. The road was rushed on to com- 
pletion, which accelerated the settlement of the in- 
terior of the State by a good class of industrious citi- 
zens, and by the charter a good income to the State 
Treasury is paid in from the earnings of the road. 

In 185 I the Legislature passed a law authorizing 
free stock banks, which was the source of much leg- 
islative discussion for a number of years. 

But we have not space further to particularize 
concerning legislation. Gov. French's administra- 
tion was not marked by any feature to be criticised, 
while the country was settling up as never before. 

In stature. Gov. French was of medium height, 
squarely built, light complexioned, with ruddy face 
and pleasant countenance. In manners he was 
plain and agreeable. By nature he was somewhat 
diffident, but he was often very outspoken in his con- 
victions of duty. In public speech he was not an 
orator, but was chaste, earnest and persuasive. In 
business he was accurate and methodical, and in his 
administration he kept up the credit of the State. 

He died in 1865, at his home in Lebanon, St 
Clair Co.. I'.l. 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



147 




^Jk 




^i^e^t^m-i^ 



'.OEL A. MATTESON, Governor 

f^!«« 1853-6, was born Aug. 8, 1808, 
,;;i ill Jefferson County, New York, 
to which place his father had re- 
moved from Vermont three years 
before. His father was a farmer 
in fair circumstances, but a com- 
mon English education was all 
that his only son received. Young 
Joel first tempted fortune as a 
small tradesman in Prescott, 
Canada, before he was of age. 
He returned from that place to 
his home, entered an academy, 
taught school, visited the prin- 
cipal Eastern cities, improved a farm his father had 
given him, made a tour in the South, worked there 
i.i building railroads, experienced a storm on the 
Gulf of Mexico, visited the gold diggings of Northerii 
Georgia, and returned via Nashville to St. Louis and 
tlirough Illinois to his fatlier's home, when he mar- 
ried. In 1833, having sold his farm, he removed, 
with his wife and one child, to Illinois, and entered 
a claim on Government land near the head of An 
Sable River, in what is now Kendall County. At 
that time there were not more than two ' neighbors 
witliin a range of ten miles of his place, and only 
iliree or four housei between him and Chicago. He 
opened a large farm. His fatuily was boarded 12 



miles away while he erected a house on his claim, 
sleeping, daring this time, under a rude pole shed. 
Here his life was once placed in imminent peril by 
a huge prairie rattlesnake sharing his bed. 

In 1835 he bought largely at the Government land 
sales. During the speculative real-estate inania which 
broke out in Chicago in 1836 and spread over the State, 
he sold his lands under the inflation of that period 
and removed to Joliet. In 1838 he became a heavy 
contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Upon 
the completion of his job in 1841, when hard times 
prevailed, business at a stand, contracts paid in State 
scrip; when all the public works except the canal 
were abandoned, the State offered for sale 700 tons 
of railroad iron, which was purchased by Mr. Mat- 
teson at a bargain. This he accepted, shipped and 
sold at Detroit, realizing a very handsome profit, 
enough to pay off all his canal debts and leave him a 
surplus of several thousand dollars. His enterprise 
next prompted him to start a woolen mill at Joliet, 
in which he prospered, and which, after successive 
enlargements, became an enormous establishment. 

In 1842 he was first elected a State Senator, but, 
by a bungling apportionment, John Pearson, a Senator 
holding over, was found to be in the same district, 
and decided to be entitled to represent it. Mat- 
teson's seat was declared vacant. Pearson, however 
with a nobleness difficult to appreciate in this day of 



143 



JOEL A. MATTESON. 



greed for office, unwilling to represent his district 
under tlie circumstances, immediately resigned his 
unexpired term of two years. A bill was passed in a 
few hours ordering a new election, and in ten days' 
time Mr. Matteson was returned re-elected and took 
his seat as Senator. From his well-known capacity 
as a business man, he was made Chairman of the 
Committee on Finance, a position he held during 
this lialf and two full succeeding Senatorial terms, 
discharging its important duties with ability and faith- 
fulness. Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest, 
when work was resumed on the canal under the new 
loan of ^1,600,000 he again became a heavy con- 
tractor, and also subsequently operated largely in 
building railroads. Thus he showed himself a most 
energetic and thorough business man. 

He was nominated for Governor by the Demo- 
cratic State Convention which met at Springfield 
April 20, 1852. Other candidates before the Con- 
vention were D. L. Gregg and F. C. Sherman, of 
Cook; John Dement, of Lee ; Thomas L. Harris, of 
Menard; Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton ; and D. P. Bush, 
of Pike. Gustavus Koerner, of St. Clair, was nom- 
inated for Lieutenant Governor. For the same offices 
the Whigs nominated Edwin B. Webb and Dexter A. 
Knowlton. Mr. Matteson received 80,645 votes at 
the election, while Mr. Webb received 64,408. Mat- 
teson's forte was not on the stump; he had not cul- 
tivated the art of oily flattery, or the faculty of being 
all things to all men. His intellectual qualities took 
rather the direction of efficient executive ability. His 
turn consisted not so much in the adroit manage- 
ment of party, or the powerful advocacy of great gov- 
ernmental principles, as in those more solid and 
enduring operations which cause the physical devel- 
opment and advancement of a State, — of commerce 
and business enterprise, into which he labored with 
success to lead the people. As a politician he was 
just and liberal in his views, and both in official and 
private life he then stood untainted and free from 
blemish. As a man, in active benevolence, social 
I'irtues and all the amiable qualities of neighbor or 
citizen, he had few superiors. His messages present 
a perspicuous array of facts as to the condition of the 
State, and are often couched in forcible and elegant 
diction. 

The greatest excitement during his term of office 
was the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, by Con- 



gress, under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas in 
1854, when the bill was passed organizing the Terri- 
tory of Kansas and Nebraska. A large portion of 
the Whig party of the North, through their bitter op- 
position to the Democratic party, naturally drifted 
into the doctrine of anti-slavery, and thus led to what 
was temporarily called the "Anti-Nebraska" party, 
while the followers of Douglas were known as " Ne- 
braska or Douglas Democrats." It was during this 
embryo stage of the Republican party that Abraham 
lyincoln was brought forward as the "Anti-Nebraska" 
candidate for the United States Senatorship, while 
Gen. James Shields, the incumbent, was re-noni- 
inated by the Democrats. But after a fewballotings 
in the Legislature (1855), these men were dropped, 
and Lyman Trumbull, an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, 
was brought up by the former, and Mr. Matteson, 
then Governor, by the latter. On the rith ballot 
Mr. Trumbull obtained one majority, and was ac- 
cordingly declared elected. Before Gov. Matteson 's 
term expired, the Republicans were fully organized 
as a national party, and in 1856 put into the field a 
full national and State ticket, carrying the State, but 
not the nation. 

The Legislature of 1855 passed two very import- 
ant measures, — the present free-school system and a 
submission of the Maine liquor law to a vote of the 
people. The latter was defeated by a small majority 
of the popular vote. 

During the four years of Gov. Matteson's admin- 
istration the taxable wealth of the State was about 
trebled, from $137,818,079 to $349,95 r, 27 2 ; the pub- 
lic debt was reduced from $17,398,985 to $12,843,- 
144; taxation was at the same time reduced, and the 
State resumed paying interest on its debt in New 
York as fast as it fell due ; railroads were increased 
in their mileage from something less than 400 to 
about 3,000 ; and the population of Chicago was 
nearly doubled, and its commerce more than quad- 
rupled. 

Before closing this account, we regret that weliave 
to say that Mr. Matteson, in all other respects an 
upright man and a good Governor, was implicated 
in a false re-issue of redeemed canal scrio, amount- 
ing to $224,182.66. By a suit in the Sangamon Cir- 
cuit Court the State recovered the principal and all 
the interest excepting $27,500. 

He died in the winter of i872--3, at Chicago. 





^-o.^^-^^-^ 



GO VERiVORS OF ILLINOIS. 



151 










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^llILIAM H. BISSELL, Gov- 
ernor 1857-60, was born 
1 April 25, 181 1, in the 
State of New York, near 
Painted Post, Yates County. 
His parents were obscure, 
honest, God-fearing people, 
who reared their children under the daily 
example of industry and frugality, accord- 
ing to the custom of that class of Eastern 
society. Mr. Bissell received a respecta- 
ble but not thorough academical education. 
By assiduous application he acquired a 
knowledge of medicine, and in his early 
manhood came West and located in Mon- 
roe County, this State, where he engaged in the 
practice of that profession. But he was not enam- 
ored of his calling; he was swayed by a broader 
ambition, to such an extent that the mysteries of the 
healing art and its arduous duties failed to yield him 
further any charms. In a few years he discovered 
his choice of a profession to be a mistake, and when 
lie approached the age of 30 he sought to begin 
anew. Dr. Bissell, no doubt unexpectedly to him- 
self, discovered a singular facility and charm of 
speech, the exercise of which acquired for him a 
ready local notoriety. It soon came to be under- 



stood that he desired to abandon his profession and 
lake up that of the law. During terms of Court he 
would spend his time at the county seat among the 
members of the Bar, who extended to him a ready 
welcome. 

It was not strange, therefore, that he should drift 
into i)ublic life. In 1840 he was elected as a Dem- 
ocrat to the Legislature from Monroe County, and 
was an efficient member of that body. On his re- 
turn home he qualified himself for admission to the 
Bar and speedily rose to the front rank as an advo- 
cate. His powers of oratory were captivating. With a 
[lure diction, charming and inimitable gestures, 
clearness of statement, and a remarkable vein of sly 
humor, his efforts before a jury told with irresistible 
effect. He was chosen by the Legislature Prosecut- 
ing Attorney for the Circuit in which he lived, and 
in that position he fully discharged his duty to the 
State, gained the esteem of the Bar, and seldom 
failed to convict the offender of the law. 

In stature he was somewhat tall and slender, and 
with a straight, military bearing, he presented a dis- 
tinguished appearance. His complexion was dark, 
his head well poised, though not large, his address 
pleasant and manner winning. Ho was exemplary 
ill his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent. 
He was twice married, the first time to Miss Tames, 



'52 



WILLIAM H. BISSELL. 



of Monroe County, by whom he had two children, 
both daughters. She died soon after the year 1840, 
and Mr. B. married for his second wife a daughter 
of Elias K. Kane, previously a United States Senator 
from this State. She survived him but a short time, 
and died without issue. 

When the war with Mexico was declared in 1 846, 
Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of his 
regiment, over Hon. Don Morrison, by an almost 
unanimous vote, — 807 to 6. Considering the limited 
opportunities he had had, he evinced a high order of 
military talent. On the bloody field of Buena Vista 
he acquitted himself with intrepid and distinguished 
ability, contributing with his regiment, the Second 
Illinois, in no small degree toward saving the waver- 
ing fortunes of our arms during that long and fiercely 
contested battle. 

After his return liome, at the close of the war, he 
was elected to Congress, his opponents being the 
Hons. P. B. Fouke and Joseph Gillespie. He served 
two terms in Congress. He was an ardent politician. 
During the great contest of 1850 he voted in favor 
of the adjustment measures; but in 1854 he opposed 
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise act and 
therefore the Kansas-Nebraska bill of Douglas, and 
thus became identified with the nascent Republican 
party. 

During his first Congressional term, while the 
Southern members were following their old practice 
of intimidating the North by bullying language, 
and claiming most of the credit for victories in the 
Mexican War, and Jefferson Davis claiming for the 
Mississippi troops all the credit for success at Buena 
Vista, Mr. Bissell bravely defended the Northern 
troops ; whereupon Davis challenged Bissell to a duel, 
which was accepted. This matter was brought up 
against Bissell when he was candidate for Governor 
and during his term of office, as the Constitution of 
this State forbade any duelist from holding a State 
office. 

In 1856, when the Republican party first put forth 
a candidate, John C. Fremont, for President of the 
United States, the same party nominated Mr. Bissell 
for Governor of Illinois, and John Wood, of Quincy, 
for Lieutenant Governor, while the Democrats nomi- 
nated Hon. W. A. Richardson, of Adams County, 
for Governor, and Col. R. J. Hamilton, of Cook 
County, for Lieutenant Governor. The result of the 



election was a plurality of 4,729 votes over Richard- 
son. The American, or Know-Nothing, party had a 
ticket in the field. The Legislature was nearly bal- 
anced, but was politically opposed to the Governor. 
His message to the Legislature was short and rather 
ordinary, and was criticised for e.xpressing the sup- 
posed obligations of the people to the incorporators 
of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and for re- 
opening the slavery question by allusions to the 
Kansas troubles. Late in the session an apportion- 
ment bill, based upon the State census of 1855, was 
passed, amid much partisan strife. The Governor 
at first signed the bill and then vetoed it. A furious 
debate followed, and the question whether the Gov- 
ernor had the authority to recall a signature was 
referred to the Courts, that of last resort deciding in 
favor of the Governor. Two years afterward another 
outrageous attempt was made for a re-apportionment 
and to gerrymander the State, but the Legislature 
failed to pass the bill over the veto of the Governor. 

It was during Gov. Bissell's administration that 
the notorious canal scrip fraud was brought to light 
implicating ex-Gov. Matteson and other prominent 
State officials. The principal and interest, aggregat- 
ing $255,500, was all recovered by the State except- 
ing $27,500. (See sketch of Gov. Matteson.) 

In 1859 an attempt was discovered to fraud^i- 
lently refund the Macalister and Stebbins bonds and 
thus rob the State Treasury of nearly a quarter of a 
million dollars. The State Government was impli- 
cated in this affair, and to this day remains unex- 
plained or unatoned for. For the above, and other 
matters previously mentioned. Gov. Bissell has been 
severely criticised, and he has also been most shame- 
fully libelled and slandered. 

On account of exposure in the army, the remote 
cause of a nervous form of disease gained entrance 
into his system and eventually developed paraplegia, 
affecting his lower extremities, which, while it left 
his body in comparative health, deprived him of loco- 
motion except by the aid of crutches. While he was 
generally hopeful of ultimate recovery, this myste- 
rious disease pursued him, without once relaxing its 
stealthy hold, to the close of his life, March t8, 
i860, over nine months before the expiration of his 
gubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years. He 
died in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church. 0/ 
which lie ha.'V been a member since 1854. 



GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



'SS 





-If 









' ?,:UHN WOOD, Governo.' 1860-1, and 
the first settler of Qaincy, 111., 
was born in the town uf Senipro- 
nius (now Moravia), Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 20, 1798. He was 
the second child and only son of 
Dr. Daniel Wood. His mother, 
7iee Catherine Crause, was of 
German parentage, and died 
while he was an infant. Dr. 
Wood was a learned and skillful 
physician, of classical attain- 
ments and proficient in several 
modern lai.giiages, who, after 
serving throughout the Revolu- 
tionary War as a Surgeon, settled on the land grantejj 
him by the Government, and resided there a re- 
spected and leading influence in his section until his 
death, at the ripe age of 92 years. 

The subject of this sketch, impelled by the spirit 
of Western adventure then pervading everywhere, 
left his home, Nov. 2, i8i8, and passed the succeed- 
ing winter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following sum- 
mer he pushed on to Illinois, landing at Shawneetown, 
and spent the fall and following winter in Calhoun 
County. In 1820, in company with Willard Keyes, 
he settled in Pike County, about 30 miles southeast 
of Quincy, where for the ne.xt two years he pursued 
farming. In 1821 he visited "the Bluffs" (as the 
present site of Quincy was called, then uninhabited) 
and, pleased with its prospects, soon after purchased 
a quarter-section of land near by, and in the follow- 
ing fall (1822) erected near the river a small cabin, 



18 X 20 feet, the first building in Quincy; of whicii 
he then became the first and for some months the 
only occupant. 

About this time he visited his old friends in Pike 
County, chief of whom was William Ross, the lead- 
ing man in building up the village of Atlas, of that 
county, which was thought then to be the possible 
commencement of a city. One day they and others 
were traveling together over the country between the 
two points named, making observations on the com- 
parative merits of the respective localities. On ap- 
proaching the Mississippi near Mr. Wood's place, 
the latter told his companions to follow him and he 
would show them where he was going to build a city. 
They went about a mile off the main trail, to a high 
point, from which the view in every direction was 
most magnificent, as it had been for ages and as yet 
untouched by tlxe hand of man. Before them swepr 
by the majestic Father of Waters, yet unburdened by 
navigation. After Mr. Wood had expatiated at 
length on the advantages of the situation, Mr. Ross 
replied, "But it's too near Atlas ever to amount to 
anything!" 

Atlas is still a cultivated farm, and Quincy is 3 
city of over 30,000 population. 

In 1824 Mr. Wood gave a newspaper notice, 
as the law then prescribed, of his intention to apply 
to the General Assembly for the formation of a new 
county. This was done the following winter, resuU- 
ing in the establishment of the present Adams 
County. During the next summer Quincy was se- 
lected as the county seat, it and the vicinity then 
containing but four adult male residents and half 



'5° 



rOHN WOOD. 



that number of females. Sinc-e that i^eriod Mr. 
Wood resided at the place of his early adoption un- 
til his death, and far more than any other man was 
he identified with every measure of its progress and 
history, and almost continuously kept in public posi- 
tions. 

He was one of the early town Trustees, and after 
the place became a city he was often a member of 
the City Council, many times elected Mayor, in the 
face of a constant large opposition political majority. 
In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate. In 1856, 
on the organization of the Republican party, he was 
chosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on the 
ticket with Wm. H. Bissell for Governor, and on the 
death of the latter, March 18, i860, he succeeded to 
the Chief Executive ciiair, which he occupied until 
Gov. Yates was inaugurated nearly ten months after- 
ward. 

Nothing very marked characterized the adminis- 
tration of Gov. Wood. The great anti-slavery cam- 
paign of i860, resulting in the election of the honest 
Illinoisan, Abraham Lincoln, to the Presidency of the 
United States, occurred during the short period 
while Mr. Wood was Governor, and the excitement 
and issues of that struggle dominated over every 
other consideration, — indeed, supplanted them in a 
great measure. The people of Illinois, during all 
that time, were passing the comparatively petty strifes 
under Bissell's administration to the overwhehuing 
issue of preserving the whole nation from destruction. 

In 186 1 e.\-Gov. Wood was one of the five Dele- 
gates from Illinois to the " Peace Convention " at 
Washingtoii, and in April of the same year, on the 
breaking out of the Rebellion, he was appointed 



Quartermaster-General of the State, which position 
he held throughout the war. In 1864 he took com- 
mand as Colonel of the 137th 111. Vol. Inf, witli 
whom he served until the period of enlistment ex- 
pired. 

Politically, Gov. Wood was always actively identi- 
fied with the Whig and Republican parties. Few 
men have in personal experience comprehended so 
many surprising and advancing local changes as 
vested in the more than half century recollections of 
Gov. Wood. Sixty-four years ago a solitary settler 
on the "Bluffs," with no family, and no neighbor 
within a score of miles, the world of civilization away 
behind him, and the strolling red-man almost his 
only visitant, he lived to see growing around him, 
and under his auspices and aid, overspreading the 
wild hills and scraggy forest a teaming city, second 
only in size in the State, and surpassed nowhere in 
beauty, prosperity and promise ; whose people recog- 
nize as with a single voice the proverbial honor and 
liberality that attach to the name and lengthened 
life of their pioneer settler, "the old Governor." 

Gov. Wood was twice married, — first in January, 
1826, to Ann M. Streeter, daughter of Joshua Streeter, 
formerly of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. They had 
eight children. Mrs. W. died Oct. 8, 1863, and in 
June, 1S65, Gov. Wood married Mrs. Mary A., widow 
of Rev. Joseph T. Holmes. Gov. Wood died June 4, 
1880, at his residence in Quincy. Four of his eight 
children are now living, namely: Ann E., wife of 
Gen. John Tillson; Daniel C, who married Mary J. 
Abernethy; John, Jr., who married Josephine Skinner, 
and Josliua S., who married Annie Bradley. The 
last mentioned now resides at Atchison, Kansas, and 
all the rest are still at Quincy. 




GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



»59 













ICHARD YATES, the "War 
Governor," 1 86 1-4, was born 
Jan. 18, 1818, on the banks of 
the Ohio River, at Warsaw, 
Gallatin Co., Ky. His father 
g^ moved in 1831 to Illinois, and 



after stopping for a time in 
Springfield, settled at Island 
Grove, Sangamon County. Here, 
after attending school, Richard joined 
the family. Subsequently he entered 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
where, in 1837, he graduated with 
first honors. He chose for his pro- 
fession the law, the Hon. J. J. Har- 
din being his instructor. After ad- 
mission to the Bar he soon rose to distinction as an 
advocate. 

Gifted with a fluent and ready oratory, he soqn 
appeared in the political hustings, and, being a 
passionate admirer of the great Whig leader of the 
West. Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to 
he party of his idol. In 1840 he engaged with great 
'rdor in the exciting " hard cider " campaign for 
tiarrison. Two years later he was elected to the 
Legislature from Morgan County, a Democratic 
stronghold. He served three or four terms in the 
Legislature, and such was the fascination of his ora- 
Tory that by 1850 his large Congressional District, 
extending from Morgan and Sangamon Counties 
.orth to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him 
tne Whig nomination for Congress. His Democratic 
opponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a very pop- 
ular man who had won distinction at the battle of 
Cerro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who had 
aeaten Hon. Stephen T. Logan for the same position, 



two years before, by a large majority. Yates wa." 
elected. Two years later he was re-elected, over 
John Calhoun. 

It was during Yates second term in Congress that 
the great question of the repeal of the Missouri Com- 
promise was agitated, and the bars laid down for re- 
opening the dreaded anti-slavery question. He took 
strong grounds against the repeal, and thus became 
identified with the rising Republican party. Conse- 
quently he fell into the minority in his district, which 
was pro-slavery. Even then, in a third contest, he 
fell behind Major Harris only 200 votes, after the 
district had two years before given Pierce 2,000 
majority for President. 

The Republican State Convention of i860 met at 
Decatur May g, and nominated for the office of Gov- 
ernor Mr. Yates, in preference to Hon. Norman B. 
Judd, of Chicago, and Leonard Swett, of Blooming- 
ton, two of the ablest men of the State, who were 
also candidates before the Convention. Francis A. 
Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated for 
Lieutenant Governor. This was the year when Mr. 
Lincoln was a candidate for President, a period re- 
membered as characterized by the great whirlpool 
which precipitated the bloody War of the Rebellion. 
The Douglas Democrats nominated J. C. Allen cf 
Crawford County, for Governor, and Lewis W. Ro-^s, 
of Fulton County, for Lieutenant Governor. The 
Breckenridge Democrats and the Bell-Everett party 
had also full tickets in the field. After a most fear- 
ful campaign, the result of the election gave Mr. 
Yates 172,196 votes, and Mr. Allen 159,253. Mr. 
Yates received over a thousand more votes than did 
Mr. Lincoln himself. 

Gov. Yates occupied the chair of State during the 



100 



RICH A RD YA TES. 



most critical period of our country's history. In the 
fate of the nation was involved tiiat of each State. 
The life struggle of the former derived its sustenance 
from the loyalty of the latter; and Gov. Yates 
seemed to realize the situation, and proved himself 
both loyal and wise in upholding the Government. 
He had a deep hold upon the affections of the 
people, won by his moving eloquence and genial 
manners. Erect and symmetrical in person, of pre- 
possessing appearance, with a winning address and a 
magnetic power, few men possessed more of the ele- 
ments of popularity. His oratory was scholarly and 
captivating, his hearers hardly knowing why they 
were transported. He was social and convivial. In 
the latter respect he was ultimately carried too far. 

The very creditable military efforts of this State 
during the War of the Rebellion, in putting into the 
field the enonr»ous number of about 200,000 soldiers, 
were ever promptly and ably seconded by his excel- 
lency ; and the was ambitious to deserve the title of 
"the soldier's friend." Immediately after the battleof 
Shiloh he repaired to the field of carnage to look 
after the wounded, and his appeals for aid were 
promptly responded to by the people. His procla- 
mations calling for volunteers were impassionate 
appeals, urging upon the people the duties and re- 
quirements of patriotism; and his special message 
ill 1863 to the Democratic Legislature of this State 
pleading for material aid for the sick and v/ounded 
soldiers of Illinois regiments, breathes a deep fervor 
of noble sentiment and feeling rarely equaled in 
beauty or felicity of expression. Generally his mes- 
sages on political and civil affairs were able and com- 
prehensive. During his administration, however, 
there were no civil events of an engrossing character, 
although two years of his time were replete with 
partisan quarrels of great bitterness. Military ar- 
rests, Knights of the Golden Circle, riot in Fulton 
County, attempted suppression of the Chicago Times 
and the usurping State Constitutional Convention of 
1862, were the chief local topics that were exciting 
during tlie Governor's term. This Convention assem- 
bled Jan. 7, and at once took the high position that 
he law calling it was no longer binding, and tiiat it 
.■,ad supreme power; that it represented a virtual 
assemblage of the whole people of the State, and was 
sovereign in the exercise of all power necessary to 
effect a peaceable revolution of tlie State Government 



and to the re-establishment of one for the "happiness, 
prosperity and freedom of the citizens," limited only 
by the Federal Constitution. Notwithstanding the 
law caUing tiie Convention required its members to 
take an oath to support the Constitution of the State 
as well as that of the general Government, they 
utterly refused to take such oath. They also as- 
sumed legislative powers and passed several import- 
ant "laws!" Interfering with the (then) present 
executive duties. Gov. Yates was provokeri t ? tell 
them plainly that " he did not acknowledge^ t;ie right 
of the Convention to instruct him in the performance 
of his duty." 

In 1863 the Governor astonished the Democriili 
by " proroguing " their Legislature. Tiiis body, after 
a recess, met June 2, that year, and soon began to 
waste time upon various partisan resolutions; and, 
while the two houses were disagreeing upon the 
question of adjourning sine die, the Governor, having 
the authority in such cases, surprised them all by 
adjourning them " to the Saturday next preceding the 
first Monday in January, 1865 ! " This led to great 
excitement and confusion, and to a reference of the 
Governor's act to the Supreme Court, who decided in 
Ills favor. Then it was the Court's turn to receive 
abuse for weeks and months afterward. 

During the autumn of 1864 a conspiracy was de- 
tected at Chicago which had for its object the liber- 
ation of the prisoners of war at Camp Douglas, the 
burning of the city and the inauguration of rebellion 
in the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of the 
camp at the time, first had his suspicions of danger 
aroused by a number of enigmatically worded letters 
which passed through the Camp postoffice. A de- 
tective afterward discovered that the rebel Gen. 
Marmaduke was in the city, under an assumed 
name, and he, with other rebel officers — Grenfell, 
Morgan, Cantrell, Buckner Morris, and Charles 
Walsh — was arrested, most of whom were convicted 
by a court-martial at Cincinnati and sentenced to 
imprisonment, — Grenfell to be hung. The sentence 
of the latter was afterward commuted to imprison- 
ment for life, and all the others, after nine months' 
imprisonment, were pardoned. 

In March, 1873, Gov. Yates was appointed a Gov- 
ernment Director of the Union Pacific Railroad, in 
which office he continued until his decease, at St. 
Louis, Mo., on the 27th of Novemljer following. 



GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



'63 



^i 



-%^ 



-mm 



4-s- 




Mielmrd J. Oghsby, 





-^ 



-J— 



^f/J^ICHARD J. OGLESBY, Gov- 
ernor 1865-8, and re-elected 
in 1872 and 1884, was born 
July 25, 1824, in Oldham Co., 
Ky., — the State which might 
?Co^ be considered the " mother of 
Illinois Governors." Bereft of 
his parents at the tender age 
of eight years, his early education 
was neglected. When 12 years of 
age, and after he had worked a year 
and a half at the carpenter's trade, 
he removed with an uncle, Willis 
Oglesby, into whose care he had 
been committed, to Decatur, this 
State, where lie continued his ap- 
prenticeship as a mechanic, working si.x months for 
Hon. E. O. Smith. 

In 1844 he commenced studying law at Spring- 
field, with Judge Silas Robbins, and read witli him 
one year. He was adniittcrd to the Bar in 1845, and 
commenced the practice of his chosen profession at 
Sullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County. 

The next year the war with Mexico was com- 
menced, and in June, 1846, Mr. Oglesby volunteered, 
was elected First Lieutenant of Co. C, Fourth Illinois 
Regiment of Volunteers, and participated in the bat- 
tles of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. 

On his return he sought to perfect his law studies 
by attending a course of lectures at Louisville, but 
on the breaking out of the California "gold fever " in 
1849, 'i6 crossed the plains and mountains to the 
new Eldorado, driving a six-mule team, with a com- 



pany oi eight men, Henry Prather being the leader. 

In 1852 he returned home to Macon County, and 
was placed that year by the Whig party on the ticket 
of Presidential Electors. In 1856 he visited Europe, 
Asia and Africa, being absent 20 months. On his 
return home he resumed the practice of law, as a 
member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby. 
In 1858 he was the Republican nominee for the 
Lower House of Congress, but was defeated by the 
Hon. James C. Robinson, Democrat. In i860 he 
was elected to the Illinois State Senate ; and on the 
evening the returns of this election were coming in, 
Mr. Oglesby had a fisticuff encounter with " Cerro 
Gordo Williams," in which he came out victorious, 
and which was regarded as " the first fight of the 
Rebellion." The following spring, when the war 
had commenced in earnest, his ardent nature 
quickly responded to the demands of patriotism and 
he enlisted. The extra session of the Legislature 
elected him Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Infantry, 
the second one in the State raised to suppress the 
great Rebellion. 

He was shortly entrusted with important com- 
mands. For a time he was stationed at Bird's Point 
and Cairo ; in April he was promoted Brigadier Gen^ 
eral ; at Fort Donelson his brigade was in the van, 
being stationed on the right of General Grant's army 
and the first brigade to be attacked. He lost 500 
men before re-inforcements arrived. Many of these 
men were from Macon County. He was engaged in 
the battle of Corinth, and, in a brave charge at this 
place, was shot in the left lung with an ounce ball, 
and was carried from the field in expectation of im- 



i64 



RICHARD J. OGLESBY. 



mediate deatli. That re'.)el ball he carries to tliis 
day. On his partial recovery he was promoted as 
Major General, for gillantry, his commission to rank 
from November, 1S62. In the spring of 1863 he 
was assigned to the command of the i6th Army 
Corps, but, owing to inability from the effects of his 
wound, he relinquished this command in July, that 
year. Gen. Grant, however, refused to accept his 
resignation, and he was detailed, in December follow- 
ing, to court-martial and try tlie Surgeon General of 
the Army at Washington, where he remamed until 
May, 1864, whin he returned home. 

The Republican, or Uaion, State Convention of 

1864 was held at Springfield, May 25, when Mr. 
Oglesby was nominated for the office of Governor, 
while other candidates before the Convention were 
Allen C. Fuller, of Boone, Jesse K. Dubois, of Sanga- 
mon, and John M. Palmer, of Macoupin. Wm. 
Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for Lieutenant 
Governor. On the Democratic State ticket were 
James C. Robinson, of C'lark, for Governor, and S. 
Corning Judd, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor. 
The general election gave Gen. Oglesby a majority 
of about 3r,ooo votes. The Republicans had also a 
majority in both the Legislature and in the repre- 
sentation in Congress. 

Gov. Oglesby was duly inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865. 
The day before tlie first time set for his installation 
death visited his hj ne at Decatur, and toTk from it 
his only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of six 
years, a great favorite of the bereaved parents. This 
caused the inauguration to be postponed a week. 

The political events of the Legislative session of 

1865 were the election of ex-Gov. Yates to the 
United States Senate, and the ratification of the 13th 
amend. nent to the Constitution of the United States, 
abolishing slavery. This session also signalized 
itself by repealing the notorious " black laws," part 
of which, although a dead letter, had held their place 
upon the statute books since 1819. Also, la.vs re- 
quiring the registration of voters, and establishing a 
State Board of Equalization, were passed by this Leg- 
islature. But the same body evinced that it was cor- 
ruptly influenced by a mercenary lobby, as it adopted 
some bad legislation, over the Governor's veto, nota- 
bly an amendment to a charter for a Chicago horse 
railway, granted in 1859 for 25 years, and now 
sought to be extended 99 years. As this measure 
was promptly passed over his veto by both branches 
of the Legislature, he deemed it useless further to 
attempt to check their headlong career. At this 
session no law of a general useful character or public 
interest was perfected, unless we count such the 
turning over of the canal to Chicago to be deepened. 
The session of 1867 was still more productive of 
privsite and special acts. Many omnibus bills were 
proposed, and some passed. Tiie contests over the 
.ccation of the Industrial College, the Capital, the 



Southern Penitentiary, and the canal enlargement 
and Illinois River improvement, dominated every 
thing else. 

During the year 1872, it became evident that if 
the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to the 
office of Governor, they could also elect him to the 
United States Senate, which they desired to do. 
Accordingly they re-nominated him for the Execu- 
tive chair, and placed upon the ticket with him for 
Lieutenant Governor, John L. Beveridge, of Cook 
County. On the other side the Democrats pit into 
the field Gustavus Koerner for Governor and John 
C. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The election 
gave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from 
3S'334 to 56,174, — the Democratic defection being 
caused mainly by their having an old-time Whig and 
Abolitionist, Horace Greeley, on the national ticket 
for President. According to the general understand- 
ing had beforehand, as sosn as the Legislature met 
it elected Gov. Oglesby to the United States Senate, 
whereupon Mr. Beveridge became Governor. Sena- 
tor Oglesby 's term expired March 4, 1879, having 
served his party faithfully and exhibited an order of 
statesmanship beyond criticism. 

During the campaign of 1884 Mr. Oglesby was 
nominated for a "third term" as Executive of the 
State of Illinois, against Carter H. Harrison, Mayor 
of Cliicago, nominated by the Democrats. Both 
gentlemen " slumped " the State, and while the peo- 
ple elected a Legislature which was a tie on a joint 
ballot, as between the two parties, they gave the 
jovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Gov- 
ernor, and he was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1885. The 
Legislature did not fully organize until this date, on 
account of its equal division between the two main 
parties and the consequent desperate tactics of each, 
party to checkmate the latter in the organization of 
the House. 

Gov. Oglesby is a fine-appearing, affable man, with 
regular, well defined features and rotund face. In 
stature he is a little above medium height, of a large 
frame and somewhat fleshy. His physical appear- 
ance is striking and prepossessing, while his straight- 
out, not to say bluff, manner and speech are weh 
calculated favorably to impress the average masses. 
Ardent in feeling and strongly committed to the pol- 
icies of his party, he intensifies Republicanism 
among Republicans, while at the same time his jovial 
and liberal manner prevents those of the opposite 
party from hating him. 

He is quite an effective stump orator. With vehe- 
ment, passionate and scornful tone and gestures, 
tremendous physical power, which in speaking he 
exercises to the utmost; with frequent descents to 
the grotesque; and with abundant homely compari- 
sons or frontier figures, expressed in the broadest 
vernacular and enforced with stentorian emphasis, 
he deliglits a promiscuous audience beyond measure 






GL^^y^^cc^ 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



>>1 





^~c^ 



vJO'HN M. Palmier 




^?> 






r?^: 



<^'? ^OHN Mc AULEY PALMER, Gov- 
[f^** ernor 1869-72, was born on 
Engle Creek, Scott Co., Ky , 
Sept. 13, 1817. During his in- 
fancy, his father, who had been 
a soldier in the war of 1812, re- 
moved to Christian Co., Ky., 
where lands were cheap. Here 
the future Governor of the great 
Prairie State spent his childhood 
and received such meager school- 
ing as the new and sparsely set- 
tled country afforded. To this 
he added materially by diligent 
reading, for which he evinced an 
His father, an ardent Jackson man, 
was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiments, which 
he thoroughly impressed upon his children. In 183 1 
he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison County. 
Here the labor of improving a farm was pursued for 
ah:>ut two years, wlien the death of Mr. Palmer's 
i.Ki'.her broke up the family. About this time Alton 
College was opened, on the "manual labor " system, 
and in the* spring of 1834 young Palmer, with his 
elder brother, Elihu, entered this school and remained 
1 8 months. Next, for over three years, he tried 
variously coopering, peddling and school-teaching. 

During the summer of 1838 he formed the ac- 
quain'ance of Stei)hen A. Douglas, then making his 




ca ly aptitude. 



first canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and in 
political accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confi- 
dence, fired his ambition and fixed his purpose. The 
following winter, while teaching near Canton, he be- 
gan to devote his spare time to a desultory reading 
of la;v, and in the spring entered a law office at Car- 
linville, making his home with his elder brotiier, 
Elihu. (The latter was a learned clergyman, of con- 
siderable orginality of thought and doctrine.) On 
the next meeting of the Supreme Court he was ad- 
mitted to the Bar, Douglas being one of his e.xaminers. 
He was not immediately successful in his profession, 
and would have located elsewhere than Carlinville 
had he the requisite means. Thus his early poverty 
was a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributes 
the success of his life. 

From 1839 on, while he diligently pursued his 
profession, he participated more or less in local 
politics. In 1843 hs became Probate Judge. In 
1847 he was elected to the State Constitutional Con 
vention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 ht 
was elected to the State Senate, and at the special 
session of February, 1854, true to the anti-slaverj 
sentiments bred in him, he took a firm stand in op- 
position to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, 
and when the Nebraska question became a part] 
issue he refused to receive a re-nomination for th( 
Senatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuin/, 
a circular to that effect. A few weeks afterward 



i68 



JOHN MC Air LBV I'ALMER. 



however, hesitating to break with his party, he par- 
ticipated in a Congressional Convention wliich noini- 
T. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and vvhich 
anqualifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas- 
Nebraska act. But later in the campaign he made 
the plunge, ran for the Senate as an Anti-Nebraska 
Democrat, and was elected. The following winter 
he put in nomination for the ^United States Senate 
Mr. Trumbull, and was one of the five steadfast men 
who voted for him until all the Whigs came to their 
support and elected their man. 

Ill 1856 he was Chairman of the Republican State 
Convention at Bloomington. He ran for Congress in 
J859, but was defeated. In i860 he was Republican 
Presidential Elector for the State at large. In 1861 
ne was appointed one of the five Delegates (all Re- 
publicans) sent by Illinois to the peace <:ongress at 
'Vashington. 

When the civil conflict broke out, he offered his 
services to his country, and was elected Colonel of the 
J4th 111. Vol. Inf., and participated in the engagements 
at Island No. 10 ; at Farmington, where he skillfully 
extricated his command from a dangerous position ; 
at Stone River, where his division for several liours, 
Dec. 31, 1862, held the advance and stood like a 
rock, and for his gallantry there he was made Major 
General; at Chickamauga, where his and Van Cleve's 
divisions for two hours maintained their position 
when they were cut off by overpowering numbers 
Under Gen. Sherman, he was assigned to the 14th 
Army Corps and participated in the Atlanta campaign. 
At Peach-Tree Creek his prudence did much to avert 
disaster. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was as- 
signed to the military administration of Kentucky, 
which was a delicate post. That State was about 
half rebel and half Union, and those of the latter 
element were daily fretted by the loss of their slaves. 
He, who had been bred to the rules of common law, 
trembled at the contemplation of his extraordinary 
power over the persons and property of his fellow 
men, with which he was vested in his capacity as 
military Governor ; and he exhibited great caution in 
the execution of the duties of his post. 

Gen. Palmer was nominated for Governor of Illi- 
nois by the Republican State Convention which met 
at Peoria May 6, 1868, and his norainalion would 
probably have been made by acclamation had he not 
persistently declared that he could not accept a can- 



didature for the office. The result of the ensuing 
election gave Mr. Palmer a majority of 44,707 over 
John R. Eden, the Democratic nominee. 

On the meeting of the Legislature in January, 
1869, the first thing to arrest public attention was 
that portion of the Governor's message which took 
broad Slate's rights ground. This and some minor 
paints, which were mire in keeping with the Demo- 
cratic sentiment, constituted the entering wedge In 
the criticisms and reproofs he afterward received 
froii the Republican party, and ultimately resulted 
in his entire alenia'.ion from the latter element. The 
Legislature just referred to was noted for the intro- 
duction of numerous bills in the interest of private 
parties, which were embarrassing to the Governor. 
Among the public acts passed was that which limited 
railroad charges for passenger travel to a maximum 
of three cents per mile; and it was passed over the 
Governor's veto. Also, they passed, over his veto, 
the "tax-grabbing law" to pay railroad subscriptions, 
the Chicago Lake Fropt bill, etc. The new State 
Constitution of 1870, far superior to the old, was a 
peaceful " revolution" which took place during Gov. 
Palmer's term of office. The suffering caused by tiie 
great Chicago Fire of October, 187 i, was greatly 
alleviated by the prompt responses of his excellency. 

Since the expiration of Gov. Palmers 's term, he has 
been somewhat prominent in Illinois politics, and 
has been talked of by many, especially in the Dem- 
ocratic party, as the best man in the State for a 
United States Senator. His business during life has 
been that of tlie law. Few excel him in an accurate 
appreciation of the depth and scope of its principles- 
The great number of his able veto messages abun- 
dantly testify not only this but also a rare capacity to 
point them out. He is a logical and cogent reasoner 
and an interesting, forcible and convincing speaker, 
though not fluent or ornate. Without brilliancy, his 
dealings are rather with facts and ideas than with 
appeals to passions and prejudices. He is a patriot 
and a statesman of very high order. Physically he is 
above the medium height, of robust frame, ruddy 
conijilexion and sanguine-nervous temperament. He 
has a large cranial development, is vivacious, social 
in disposition, easy of approach, unostentatious in his 
liabits of life, democratic in his habits and manners 
and is a true American in his fundamental principle.' 
of statesmanship. 




(:^/o-:^C^t.±y(yL^^ // ^^-^^ty^t^i-^yt/^ 



GV VHRNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



171 



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OHN LOWRiE BEVER- 
IDGE, Governor 1873-6, was 
born in the town of Green- 
wich, Washington Co., N. Y., 
July 6, 1824. His parents 
were George and Ann Bever- 
^ idge. His father's parents, An- 
drew and Isabel Bcveridge, be- 
fore their marriage emigrated 
from Scotland just before the 
Revolutionary War, settling in 
Washington County. His father 
^ was the eldest of eight brothers, the 
youngest of whom was 60 years of 



age when the first one of the num- 
ber died. His mother's parents, 
^!^ James and Agnes Hoy, emigrated 
from Scotland at the close of tlie 
Revolutionary War, settling also in 
Washington Co., N. Y., with their 
first-born, whose " native land " was 
the wild ocean. His parents and 
grandparents lived beyond the time 
allotted to man, their average age 
being over 80 years. They belonged to the " Asso- 
ciate Church," a seceding Presbyterian body uf 



4— 



America from the old Scotch school ; and so rigid 
was the training of young Beveridge that he never 
heard a sermon from any other minister except that 
of his own denomination until he was in his 19th 
year! Later in life he became a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which relation he still 

holds. 

Mr. Beveridge received a good common-school ed- 
ucation, but his parents, who could obtain a livelihood 
only by rigid economy and industry, could not send 
him away to college. He was raised upon a farm, 
and was in his i8th year when the family removed 
to De Kalb County, this State, when that section was 
very sparsely settled. Chicago had less than 7,000 
inhabitants. In this wild West he continued as a 
farm laborer, teaching school during the winter 
months to supply the means of an education. In the 
fall of 1842 he attended one term at the academy at 
Granville, Putnam Co., 111., and subsequently several 
terms at the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris, 
Ogle Co., 111., completing the academic course. At 
this time, the fall of 1845, his parents and brothers 
were anxious to have him go to college, even though 
he had not money sufficient; but, njt willing to bur- 
den the family, he packed his trunk and with only 
$40 in money started South to seek his fortune 



172 



JOHN L. BEVElilDGE. 



Poor, alone, without friends and influence, he thus 
entered upon the battle of life. 

First, he taught school in Wilson, Overton and 
Jackson Cos., Tenn., in which experience he under- 
went considerable mental drill, both in book studies 
and in the ways of the world. He read law and was 
admitted to the Bar, in the South, but did not learn 
to love the institution of slavery, although he ad- 
mired many features of Southern character. In De- 
cember, 1847, he returned North, and Jan. 20, 1S48, 
he married Miss Helen M. Judson, in the old Clark- 
Street M. E. church in Chicago, her father at that 
time being Pastor of the society there. In the spring 
of 1848 he returned with his wife to Tennessee, 
where his two children, Alia May and Philo Judson, 
were born. 

In the fall of 1849, through the mismanagement 
of an associate, he lost what little he had accumu- 
lated and was left in debt. He soon managed to 
earn means to pay his debts, returned to De Kalb 
Co., 111., and entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession at Sycamore, the county seat. On arrival 
from the South he had but one-quarter of a dollar in 
money, and scanty clothing and bedding for himself 
and family. He borrowed a little money, practiced 
-aw, worked in public offices, kept books for some of 
the business men of the town, and some railroad en- 
gineering, till the spring of 1854, when he removed 
to Evanston, 12 miles north of Chicago, a place then 
but recently laid out, under the supervision of the 
Northwestern University, a Methodist institution. 
Of the latter his father-in-law was then financial 
agent and business manager. Here Mr. Beveridge 
prospered, and the next year (1855) opened a law 
office in Chicago, where he found the battle some- 
what hard; but he persevered with encouragement 
and increasing success. 

Aug. 12, 1861, his law partner, Gen. John F. 
Farnsworth, secured authority to raise a regiment of 
cavalry, and authorized Mr. Beveridge to raise a 
company for it. He succeeded in a few days in rais- 
ing the company, of course enlisting himself along 
with it. The regiment rendezvoused at St. Charles, 
111., was mustered in Sept. iS, and on its organiza- 
tion Mr. B. was elected Second Major. It was at- 
tached, Oct. II, to the Eighth Cavalry and to the 
Army of the Potomac. He served with the regiment 
until November, 1863, participating in some 40 bat- 



tles and skirmishes : was at Fair Oaks, the seven days 
fight around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- 
ville and Gettysburg. He commanded the regiment 
the greaterpart of the summer of 1863, and it was while 
lying in camp this year that he originated the policy 
of encouraging recruits as well as the fighting capac- 
ity of the soldiery, by the wholesale furlough system. 
It worked~so well that many other officers adopted 
it. In the fall of this year he recruited another com- 
pany, against heavy odds, in January, 1864, was 
commissioned Colonel of the 17th 111. Cav., and 
skirmished around in Missouri, concluding with the 
reception of the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's 
army in Arkansas. In 1865 he commanded various 
sub-districts in the Southwest. He was mustered 
out Feb. 6, 1866, safe from the casualties of war and 
a stouter man than when he first enlisted. His men 
idolized him. 

He then returned to Chicago, to practice law, with 
no library and no clientage, and no political experi- 
ence except to help others into office. In the fall of 
1866 he was elected Sheriff of Cook County, serving 
one term; next, until November, 1870, he practiced 
law and closed up the unfinished business of his 
office. He was then elected State Senator; in No- 
vember, 187 1, he was elected Congressman at large; 
in November, 1872, he was elected Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor on the ticket with Gov. Oglesby ; the latter be- 
ing elected to the U. S. Senate, Mr. Beveridge became 
Governor, Jan. 21, 1873. Thus, inside of a few 
weeks, he was Congressman at large, Lieutenant 
Governor and Governor. The principal events oc- 
curring during Gov. Beveridge 's administration were: 
The completion of the revision of the statutes, begun 
in 1869; the partial success of tlie "farmers' move- 
ment;" " Haines' Legislature " and Illinois' exhibit at 
the Centennial. 

Since the close of his gubernatorial term ex-Gov 
Beveridge has been a member of the firm of Bever- 
idge & Dewey, bankers and dealers in commercial 
paper at 71 Dearborn Street (McCormick Block), 
Chicago, and since November, 1S81, he has also been 
Assistant United States Treasurer- office in the 
Government Building. His residence is still at Ev- 
anston. 

He has a brother and two sisters yet residing in 
De Kalb County — James H. Beveridge, Mrs. Jennet 
Henry and Mrs. Isabel French. 



GO VERiVORS OF ILLINOIS. 



175 



Seelb> y M. CvIjLom, 




^s^^mr'^.^ 








HELBY M. CULLOM, Gover- 
nor 1877-83,13 the sixth child 
of the lata Richard N. Cullom, 
and was bora Nov. 22, 1829,111 
Wayne Co., Ky., where his fa- 
ther then resided, and whence 
both the lUinois and Tennessee 
branches of the family originated. In 
the following year the family emi- 
grated to the vicinity of Washington, 
Tazewell Co., III., when that section 
was very sparsely settled. They lo- 
cated on Deer Creek, in a grove at 
the time occupied by a party of In- 
dians, attracted there by the superior 
hunting and fishing afforded in that 
vicinity. The following winter was 
known as the " hard winter," the snow being very 
deep and lasting and the weather severely cold; and 
the family had to subsist mainly on boiled corn or 
hominy, and some wild game, for several weeks. In 
the course of time Mr. R. N. Cullom became a prom- 
inent citizen and was several times elected to the 
Legislature, both before and after the removal of the 
caiiltal from Vaiidalia to Springfi(;ld. He died about 

'873- 

Until about 19 years of age young Cullom grew up 
to agricultural pursuits, attendi-Ag school as he had 
opportunity during the winter. Within this time, 
nov/ever, he spent several months teaching school 



and in the following summer he "broke prairie "with 
an ox team for tlie neighbors. With the money ob- 
tained by these various ventures, he undertook a 
course of study at the Rock River Seminary, a 
Methodist institution at Mt. Morris, Ogle County; 
but the sudden change to the in-door life of a stu- 
dent told severely upon his health, and he was taken 
home, being considered in a hopeless condition. While 
at Mt. Morris he heard Hon. E. B. Washburne make 
his first speech. 

On recovering health, Mr. Cullom concluded to 
study law, under the instruction of Abraham Lincoln, 
at Springfield, who had by this time attained some 
notoriety as an able lawyer; but the latter, being ab- 
sent from his office most of the time, advised Mr. 
Cullom to enter the office of Stuart & Edwards. 
After about a year of study there, however, his health 
failed again, and he was obliged to return once more 
to out-door life. Accordingly he bought hogs for 
packing, for A. G. Tyng, in I'eorla, and while he re- 
gained his health he gained in purse, netting $400 in 
a few weeks. Having been admitted to the Bar, he 
went to Springfield, where he was soon elected City 
Attorney, on the .\ntl-Nebraska ticket. 

In 1856 he ran on the Fillmore ticket as a Presi- 
dential Elector, and, although falling to be elected as 
such, he was at the same time elected a Representa- 
tive in the Legislature from Sangamon County, by a 
local coalition of the American and Republican par- 
ties. On the organization of the House, he received 
the vote of the Fillmore men for Speaker. Practicing, 



176 



SHELB Y M. CULLOM. 



law until iS6o, he was again elected to the Legisla- 
ture, as a Republican, while the county went Denio- 
, cratic on the Presidential ticket. In January follow- 
ing ha was elected Speaker, probably the youngest 
man who had ever presided over an Illinois Legis- 
lature. After the session of iS6i, he was a candidate 
for the State Constitutional Convention called for 
that year, but was defeated, and thus escaped the 
disgrace of being connected with that abortive party 
scheme to revolutionize the State Government. In 
1862 he was a candidate for the State Senate, but 
was defeated. The same year, however, he was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln on a Government 
Commission, in company with Gov. Boutwell of 
Massachusetts and Cnarles .\. Dana, since of the 
New York Sun, to investigate the affairs of the 
Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments at 
Cairo. He devoted several months to this duty. 

In 1864 he enteied upon a larger political field, 
being nominated as the Republican candidate for 
Congress from tlie Eighth (Springfield) District, in 
opposition to the incumbent, JohnT. Stuart, who had 
been elected in 1862 by about 1,500 majority over 
Leonard Swett, then of Bloomington, now of Chicago. 
The result was the election of Mr. CuUom in Novem- 
ber following by a majority of 1,785. In 1866 he 
was re-elected to Congress, over Dr. E. S. Fowler, by 
the magnificent majority of 4 103 ! In 1868 he was 
again a candidate, defeating the Hon. B. S. Edwards, 
another of his old preceptors, by 2,884 votes. 

During his first term in Congress he served on the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Expenditures in 
the Treasury Department; in liis second term, on 
the Committees on Foreign .\ffairs and 0:1 Territories ; 
and in his third term he succeeded Mr. Ashley, of 
Ohio, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He intro- 
duced a bill in the House, to aid in the execution of 
law in Utah, which caused more consternation amoni; 
the Mormons than any measure had [jreviously, but 
which, though it passed the House, failed to pass the 
Senate. 

The Republican Convention which met May 25, 
1876, nominated Mr. Cullom for Governor, while tlie 
other contestant was Gov. Beveridge. For Lieuten- 
ant-Governor they nominated Andrew Shuman, editor 
of the Chicago Journal. For the same offices the 
Democrats, combining with the Anti-Monopolists, 
placed in nomination Lewis Steward, a wealthy 



farmer and manufacturer, and A. A. Glenn. The 
result of tlie election was rather close, Mr. Cullom 
obtaining only 6,800 majority. He was inaugurated 
Jan. 8, 1877. 

Great depression prevailed in financial circles at 
this time, as a consequence of the heavy failures of 
1S73 and afterward, the eifect of which had seemed 
to gather force from that time to the end of Gov. 
Cullom's first administration. This unspeculative 
period was not calculated to call forth any new 
issues, but the Governor's energies were at one time 
put to task to quell a spirit of insubordination that 
had been begun in Pittsburg, Pa., among the laboring 
classes, and transferred to Illinois at Chicago, East 
St. Louis and Braidwood, at which places laboring 
men for a short time refused to work or allow others 
to work. These disturbances were soon quelled and 
the wheels of industry again set in motion. 

In May, i88o. Gov. Cullom was re-nominated by 
the Republicans, against Lyman Trumbull, by the 
Democrats; and although the former party was some- 
what handicapped in the campaign by a zealous 
faction opposed to Grant for President and to Grant 
men for office generally, Mr. Cullom was re-elected 
by about 314,565, to 277,532 forthe Democratic State 
ticket. The Greenback vote at the same tmie was 
about 27,000. Both Houses of the Legislature again 
became Republican, and no representative of the 
(}reenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov. 
Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, 1S81. In his mes- 
sage he announced that the last dollar of the State 
debt had been provided for. 

March 4, 1883, the term of David Davis as United 
States Senator from Illinois expired, and Gov. Cul- 
lom was chosen to succeed him. This promoted 
Lieutenant-Governor John M. Hamilton to the Gov- 
ernorship. Senator Cullom's term in the United 
States Senate will expire March 4, 1889. 

As a practitioner of law Mr. C. has been a member 
of the firm of Cullom, Scholes.& Mather, at Spring- 
field ; and he has also been President of the State 
National Bank. 

He has been married twice, — the first time Dec. 
12, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he had 
two daughters; and the second time May 5, 1863, 
to Julia Fisher. Mrs. C is a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, with which religious body Mr, 
(". i§ also in sympathy. 



GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



'79 





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^«SHJH»« 



OHN MARSHALL HAMIL- 
TON, Governor 1883-5, ^^s 
born May 28, 1847, in a log 
liouse upon a farm about two 
miles from Richwood, Union 
County, Ohio. His father was 
Samuel Hamilton, the eldest son 
of Rev. Wm. Hamilton, who, to- 
gether with his brother, the Rev. 
Samuel Hamilton, was among the 
early pioneer Methodist preachers in 
Ohio. The mother of the subject of 
this sketch was, before her marriage, 
Mrs. Nancy McMorris, who was 
born and raised in Fauquier or Lou- 
doun County, Va., and related to the 
two large families of Youngs and Marshalls, well 
known in that commonwealth ; and from the latter 
family name was derived the middle name of Gov. 
Hamilton. 

In March, 1854, Mr. Hamilton's father sold out 
his little pioneer forest home in Union County, O., 
and, loading his few household effects and family 
(of six children) into two emigrant covered wagons, 
moved to Roberts Township. Marshall Co., 111., being 
21 days on the route. Swamps, unbridged streams 
and innumerable hardships and privations met them 
on their way. Their new home had been previously 
selected by the father. Here, after many long years 
of toil, they succeeded in paying for the land and 
making a comforf'<'^'f home. Joha was, of course, 



brought up to hard manual labor, with no schooling 
except three or four months in the year at a common 
country school. However, he evinced a capacity 
and taste for a high order of self-education, by 
studying or reading what books he could borrow, as 
the family had but very few in the house. Much of 
his study he prosecuted by the light of a log fire in 
the old-fashioned chimney place. The financial 
panic of 1857 caused the family to come near losing 
their home, to pay debts; but the father and two 
sons, William and John, "buckled to" and perse 
vered in hard labor and economy until they redeemed 
their place from the mortgage. 

When the tremendous excitement of the political 
campaign of i860 reached the neighborhood of Rob- 
erts Township, young Hamilton, who had been 
brought up in the doctrine of anti-slavery, took a zeal- 
ous part in favor of Lincoln's election. Making special 
efforts to procure a little money to buy a uniform, he 
joined a company of Lincoln Wide-Awakes at Mag- 
nolia, a village not far away. ' Directly after the 
ensuing election it became evident that trouble 
would ensue with the South, and this Wide-Awake 
company, like many others throughout the country, 
kept up its organization and transformed itself into a 
mihtary company. During the ensuing summer they 
met often for drill and became proficient; but when 
they offered themselves for the v.-ar, young Hamilton 
was rejected on account of his youth, he being then 
but 14 years of age. During the winter of [863-4 he 
attended an academy at Henry, Marshall County. 



tSo 



JOHN MARSHALL HAMILTON. 



and in the follownig IVIay he again enlisted, for the 
fourth time, when he was phiced in the 141^1 111. 
Vol. Inf., a regiment then being raised at Elgin, 111., 
for the 100-day service. He took with him 13 other 
lads from his neighborhood, for enlistment in the 
service. This regiment operated in Souihwestern 
Kentucky, for about five months, under Gen. Paine. 

The following winter, 1864-5, ^^l'- Hamilton taught 
school, and during the two college years 1865-7, he 
went through three years of the curriculum of the 
Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. The 
third year he graduated, tlie fourth in a class of 46, 
in the classical department. In due time he received 
the degree of M. A. For a few months he was the 
Principal of iVIarshall " College " at Henry, an acad- 
emy under the auspices of the M. E. Church. By 
this time he had commenced the study of law, and 
after earning some money as a temporary Professor 
of Latin at the Illinois VVesleyan University at 
Blooniington, he entered the law office of Weldon, 
Tipton & Benjamin, of that city. Each member of 
this firm has since been distinguished as a Judge. 
Admitted to the Bar in May, 1870, Mr. Hamilton 
was given an interest in tiie same firm, Tipton hav- 
ing been elected Judge. In October following he 
formed a partnership with J. H. Rowell, at that time 
Prosecuting Attorney. Their business was then 
small, but they increased it to very large proportions, 
practicing in all grades of courts, including even the 
U. S. Supreme Court, and this partnersliip continued 
unbroken u nil Feb. 6, 18S3, when Mr. Hamilton 
was sworn in as E.xecutive of Illinois. On the 4th 
of March following Mr. Rowell took his seat in Con- 
gress. 

In July, 1871. Mr. Hamilton married Miss Helen 
M. Williams, the daughter of Prof VVm. G, Williams, 
Professor of Greek in the Ohio Wesleyan University. 
Mr. and Mrs. H. have two daughters and one son. 

In 1876 Mr. Hamilton was nominated by the Re- 
publicans for the State Senate, over other and older 
competitors. He took an active part " on the stumi) " 
in the campaign, for the success of his party, and was 
elected by a majority of 1,640 over his Democratic- 
Greenback opponent. In the Senate he served on 
the Committees on Judiciary, Revenue, State Insti- 
tutions, Appropriations, Education, and on Miscel- 
lany ; and during the contest for the election of a 
U. S. Senator, the Republicans endeavoring to re- 



elect John \. Logan, he voted for tlie war chief on 
every ballot, even alone when all the other Republi- 
cans had gone over to the Hon. E. B. Lawrence and 
the Democrats and Independents elected Judg? 
David Davis. .\t this session, also, was passed the 
first Board of Health and Medical Practice act, of 
wiiich Mr. Hamilton was a champion, againc': ;; 
much opposition that tlie bill was several times 
"laid on the table." Also, this session authorized 
the location and establishment of a southern peni- 
tentiary, which was fixed at Chester. In the sessior± 
of 1879 Mr. Hamilton was elected President /;■£? /<'wz. 
of the Senate, and was a zealous supporter of John 
A. Logan for the U. S. Senate, who wai this time 
elected without any trouble. 

In May, 1880, Mr. Hamilton was nominated on 
the Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, his 
principal competitors before the Convention being 
Hon. Wm. A. James, ex Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Judge Robert Bell, of Wabash 
County, Hon. T. T. Fountain, of Perry County, and 
Hon. M. M. Saddler, of Marion County. He engaged 
actively in the campaign, and his ticket was elected 
by a majority of 41,200. As Lieutenant Governor, 
he presided almost continuously over the Senate in 
tlie 32d General Assembly and during the early days 
of the 33d, until he succeeded to the Governorship. 
When the Legislature of 1883 elected Gov. Cullom 
to the United States Senate, Lieut. Gov. Hamilton 
succeeded him, under the Constitution, taking the 
oath of office Feb. 6, 1883. He bravely met all the 
annoyances and embarrassments incidental upon 
taking up another's administration. The principal 
events with which Gov. Hamilton was connected as 
the Chief Executive of the State were, the mine dis- 
aster at Braidwood, the riots in St. Clair and Madison 
Counties in May, 1883, the appropriations for the 
State militia, the adoption of tlie Harper high-license 
liquor law, the veto of a dangerous railroad bill, etc. 

The Governor was a Delegate at large to the 
National Republican Convention at Chicago in June, 

1884, where his first choice for President was John 
A. Logan, and second choice Chester A. Arthur; but 
he afterward zealously worked for the election of Mr. 
Blaine, true to his party. 

Mr. Hamilton's term as Governor expired Jan. 30, 

1885, when the great favorite " Dick " Oglesby was 
inaiiuuratcd. 




t? 



i i^ 




OOVERNORS OF ILL mo IS. 



183 



■ Y^p-tfT*^*'^"-^'^*'^.'^"*'??'.!? 









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,; .o4o.-@^,A^..o4o.- 




;;oSI:PH WILSON FIFER. This 
distinguished gentleman was 
elected Governor of Illinois 
November 6, 1«88. He was 
popularly known during the 
campaign as "Private Joe." He 
had served with great devotion 
to his country during the Re- 
bellion, in the Thirty-third 
lUiuois Infantry. A native of 
Virginia, he was born in 1840. 
His parents, Joiin and Mary 
(Daniels) Fifer, were American 
born, though of German de- 
scent. His father was a brick 
and stone mason, and an old 
lloury Clay Whig in politics. John and ]\Iary 
Fifer had nine children, of wliom Josepli was the 
sixtli, and naturally with so large a family it was 
all the father could do to keep the wolf from the 
door; to s.ay nothing of giving his children au}-- 
thing like good educational advantages. 

Young Joseph attended school some in Vir- 
ginia, but it was not a good school, and when 
his father removed to tl>e West, in 1857, Joseph had 
not advanced much further than the "First Reader." 



Our subject was sixteen tlieu and suffered a great 
misfortune in the loss of his mother. After the death 
of Mrs. Fifer, wliich occurred in Missouri, the 
family returned to Virginia, but remained only a 
short time, as during the same year Mr. Fifer 
came to Illinois. He settled in McLean County and 
started a brickyard. Here Joseph and his broth- 
ers were put to work. Tiie elder Fifer soon 
bought a farm near Bloomington and began life as 
an agriculturalist. Here Joe worked and attended 
the neighboring school. He alternated farm-work, 
brick-laying, and going to the district school for 
the succeeding few j-ears. It was all work and no 
plaj' for Joe, 3'ot it by no means made a dull boy 
of him. All the time he was thinking of the great 
world outside, of which lie had caught a glimpse 
when coming from Virginia, yet he did not know 
just how he was going to get out into it. He 
could not feel that the woods around the new 
farm and the log cabin, in which the family lived, 
were to hold him. 

The opportunity to get out into the world was 
soon offered to young Joe. He traveled a dozen 
miles barefoot, in company with his brother George, 
and enlisted in Comiiany C, 33d Illinois Infantry; 
he being then twenty years old. In a few days 



184 



JOSEPH W. FIFER. 



the regiment was sent to Cauip Buller, and then 
over into Missouri, and saw some vig(jrous service 
there.- After a second time helping to cliase Price 
out of Missouri, the 33d Kegiment went down 
to Milliken's Bend, and for several weeks "Private 
Joe" worked on Grant's famous ditch. The regi- 
ment then joined the forces operating against Port 
Gibson and Vicksburg. Joe was on guard duty in 
the front ditches when the flag of surrender was 
run up on the 4th of July, and stuck the bayonet 
of his gun into the embankment and went into the 
city with tlie vanguard of Union soldiers. 

The next day, July 5, the 33d joined the force 
after Johnston, who had been threatening Grant's 
rear; and finally an assault was made on him at 
Jackson, Miss. In this charge '-Private Joe" fell, ter- 
ribly wounded. He was loading his gun when a 
minie-ball struck him and passed entirely through 
his body. . He^was regarded as mortally wounded. 
His brother, George, who had been made a Lieu- 
tenant, proved to be the means of saving his life. 
The Surgeon told him unless he had ice his brother 
Joe could not live. It was fifty miles to the nearest 
point where ice could be obtained, and the roads 
were rough. A comrade, a McLean county man, who 
had been wounded, offered to make the trip. An 
ambulance was secured and the brother soldier 
started on the journey. He returned with the ice, 
but the trip, owing to the roughness of the roads, 
was very hard on him. After a few months' care- 
ful nursing Mr. Fifer was able to come home. The 
33d came home on a furlough, and when the 
boys were ready to return to the tented field, 
young Fifer was ready to go with them ; for he was 
determined to finish his term of three years. He 
was mustered out in October, 1864, having been 
in the service three years and two months. 

"Private Joe" came out of the army a tall, 
tanned, and awkward young man of twenty-four. 
About all he possessed was ambition to be some- 
body — and pluck. Though at an age when most 
men have finished their college course, the young 
soldier saw that if he was to be anybody he must 
have an education. Yet he had no means to ena- 
ble him to enter school as most young men do. 
He was determined to have an education, however, 
and that to him meant success. For the following 



four years he struggled with his books. lie entered 
Weskwan University Jan. 1, 1865. He was not a 
brilliant student, being neither at the bead nor the 
foot of his class. He was in great earnest, how- 
ever, studied hard and came forth with a well- 
stored and disciplined mind. 

Immediately after being graduated lie entered 
an office at Bloomington as a law student. lie had 
already read law some, and as he continued to work 
hard, with the spur of poverty and promptings of 
ambition ever with him, he was ready to hang out 
his professional shingle in 1869. Being trust- 
worthy he soon gathered about him some influen- 
tial friends. In 1871 he was elected Corporation 
Counsel of Bloomington. In 1872 he was elected 
Slate's Attorney of McLean County. This office 
he held for eight years, when he took his seat in 
the State Senate. Here he served for four 3'ears. 
His ability to perforin abundance of hard work 
made him a most valued member of the Legisla- 
ture. 

Mr. Fifer was married in 1870 to Gertie, daugh- 
ter of William J. Lewis, of Bloomington. Mr. 
Fifer is six feet in height and is spare, weighing 
only 150 pounds. He has a swarthy complexion, 
keen black eyes, quick movement, and possesses a 
frank and s.ympathetic nature, and naturally makes 
friends wherever he goes. During the late Guber- 
natorial campaign his visits throughout the State 
proved a great power in his behalf. His happj- 
faculty of winning the confidence and good wishes 
of those with whom he comes in personal contact is a 
source of great popularity, especially during a polit- 
ical battle. As a speaker he is fluent, his language 
is good, voice clear and agreeable, and manner 
forcible. His manifest earnestness in what he says 
as well as his tact as a public speaker, and his elo- 
quent and forceful language, makes him a most 
valuable campaign orator and a powerful pleader 
at the bar. At the Republican State Convention, 
held in May, 1888, Mr. Fifer was chosen as its candi- 
date for Governor. He proved a popular nominee, 
and tlie name Y)f " Private Joe " became familiar 
to eveiyone throughout the State. He waged a 
vigorous campaign, was elected by a good majority, 
and in due time assumed the duties of the Chief 
Executive of Illinois. 



iTJfiJ^^^ 9-tl^ .C> 



((- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



187 







vmRMiPmwaM 



^ 






%im" 




■+f^^€^-f- — 




■^ DGE WILLIAM J. ALLEN, 

''^: LL. B., of the United States Dis- 
[^1 tricl Court for the Southern 
District of Illinois. In present- 
ing to the readers of tliis volume 
the biogrnphy and portrait of 
Judge Allen, we are perpetua- 
ting the features and life work of 
one of Sangamon County's most 
honored residents. Throughout 
a long, iionorable and influen- 
tial career, he has maintained 
that energ\' and integrity wiiich 
characterized his earlier years. 
Nor has his success been merely 
in accumulating wealth, but in 
the better sense of the word he has been successful 
in serving others, in doing good and in winning the 
respect and esteem of a very large circle of acquaint- 
ances. Laborious and patient, exhibiting by his 
life his self-reliant spirit and strong individuality, 
the influence he unconsciously exerts has a future 
as well as a present bearing upon the well-being of 
the comnuuiity. 

The record of the life of Willis Allen, the father 
of .ludge Allen, is one of which his descendants 
may justly be proud. Possessed of that sturdy 
self-reliance, indefatigable industry and legal abil- 
ity which was later so abundantly evinced by the 
son of whom we write, he became eminent in the 
political circles of Southern Illinois. A tiative of 



Tennessee, which had been the home of the Allen 
family for many years, AVillis Allen was born in 
December, 1806, and in his native State was united 
in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Joiner. In 1830 
he removed to the southern part of Ulinios, to what 
was then Franklin Count}-, and commenced farm- 
ing. His popularity was such that he was soon 
elected Sheriff of the count}', and filled that posi- 
tion to the satisfaction of those who elected him. 
One honor followed another in rapid succession. 
As Representative and State Senator, he became 
well known to all the prominent legislators of the 
State, and by that body was elected in 1841 State's 
Attorney for the Circuit. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1847, and of Con- 
gress from 1851 until 1855. 

In connection with his other duties, Willis Allen 
read law and wis admitted to practice at the bar of 
the State of Illinois. In this, as elsewhere, he suc- 
ceeded admirablj', and at the time of his death was 
serving as Judge* of the Circuit Court. He passed 
from the busy scenes of earth in April, 1859, while 
his wife, who was horn in 1807 survived him 
three years, dying in 1862. They left a family 
of five children, three of whom were sons and two 
daughters. Among them was our subject, who 
was born June !), 1829, in Wilson County, Tenn., 
and was brought by his parents to Illinois when an 
infant. His education was received at a boarding 
school which was in the charge of 15. G. Roots, an 
experienced educator of Perry County. After 



188 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



completing bis studies he attended tlie Law School 
of Louisville, Ky.. and was graduated witli the 
Class of '49. 

Soon afterward tlie Judge entered upon his brill- 
iant career as a lawyer in Illinois, locating first in 
Metroi)olis, wliere lie remained three years. At 
the expiration of that time he removed to Will- 
iamson County in 1853, and practiced in Mai'ion 
until 1854, when he was elected to the Lower House 
of tlie State Legislature. In the spring of 1855 he 
was appointed United States District Attorney for 
this district, with office at Springfield. In 1859 he 
resigned that position to resume the practice of law 
at Marion, and in tlie same year was elected Circuit 
Judge, succeeding his father, and holding that office 
until December, 18G1, when he became a member 
of the Constitutional Convention. In the spring of 
1862, Mr. Allen was elected to Congress from what 
was then the Ninth, and now the Twentieth and 
part of the Nineteenth District, remaining in Con- 
gress until 18G5, and serving on the Committee on 
Claims, where he did a vast amount of work, and 
also on the Committees on Territories and Com- 
merce. 

Next we find Judge Allen located at Cairo, 111., 
where he remained until 1874 and whence he re- 
moved to Carbondale. While residing in Cairo, 
he was a member of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1870; this body drafted the present Illinois Con- 
stitution whicli was adopted in 1870. He also 
served in this body as a member of the Judicial-}- 
Committee, and Chairman of the Committee on 
Bill of Rights. During Ids residence in Cairo and 
Carbondale, Mr. Allen devoted his attention to the 
practice of his chosen profession, being emploj'ed 
b3' Gov. Beveridge to prosecute the Williamson 
County vendetta. This delicate and dangerous 
service he performed with fearlessness and distin- 
guished ability, convicting all the leaders and re- 
storing peace to the community. In 188G he 
removed from Carbondale to Springfield, his prac- 
tice being largely in the Federal Court in this city. 
In June of that year he formed a partnership with 
C. C. Brown & Son, the firm name being Allen, 
Brown <fe Brown. This partnership was continued 
until our subject was appointed in 1887, to his pres- 
ent Judgeship. Through the entire course of his 



active life. Judge Allen has been a stanch member 
of the Democratic party, but his other duties now 
prevent him from taking an active part in political 
matters. Socially he is identified with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fra- 
ternity. 

The marriage of Judge Allen and Miss Anna 
McKeen, of Maryland, was celebrated in December, 
1858. Mrs. Allen is the daughter of Hugh Blair 
and Ursula McKeen, and was born in 1840. Her 
parents were natives of Penns^'lvania, and are now 
deceased. Of the union of Judge Allen and his 
estimable wife six children were born, five of whom 
are now living, namely : Willis, Miriam, Robert M., 
Louise and John B. All are at home with their 
parents, making a most attractive and happy 
family, and are members of St. Paul's Episcopal 
Church, to which the Judge and his wife also be- 
long. Taking it all in all, the life of Judge Allen 
furnishes an excellent example for the 3'oung, and 
it is to such as lie that our country owes the pros- 
[lerity which now distinguishes it. 




A RON GURNP:Y. The task of the bio- 
^1 graphical writer becomes a pleasant one 



it when to the ordinary events of human life 
(^J he can add a record of extensive work in 

a high field of labor. In tracing the chief incidents 
in the career of the gentleman above named, one 
can but feel a thrill of admiration for the mental 
ability, steadfast will, and wholc-heartedness that 
have characterized him in every position. Especi- 
ally in tlie ministry, to which he gave himself with 
an earnest desire to spread t'hc "glad tidings of 
salvation" and win souls to Christ, were these traits 
manifest. The value of his example and the worth 
of his teachings can only be estimated when time 
shall be no more. 

Mr. Gurney is now President of the Gurney 
Printing Company, publishing the Daily and 
Weekly News, of Siiringfleld. The company con- 
sists of himself and his sons, F. A. and C. W., 
under whose management the paper has a large 
following in the city and the adjacent districts. It 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



189 



is the only eveuing papei' iu the city having a daily 
edition and as its editor possesses wide information, 
the pen of a ready writer and clear judgment, it 
necessarily exerts inudh influence over its readers. 
The paper had been publislied but one month when 
Mr. Gurney purcliased the plant, having been 
ubliged to abandon tlie ministry on account of ill 
health. 

The natal day of our subject was March 21, 1832, 
and his birthplace Platlsburg, N. Y. His parents 
were Charles W. and INIatilda Gurney, the for- 
mer a Presbyterian minister. Our subject had but 
six months schooling, acquiring the most of his 
book knowledge in the home prior to entering his 
teens. When he was six years old his father re- 
moved to Oberlin, Ohio, where he remained a short 
lime, thence going to Coldvvatcr, Mich. There he 
die! after a residence of two years, leaving Aaron 
Mil or|ihan at the ege of fourteen j-ears. The wid- 
owed mother went to Brooklyn, Mich., with her 
family and took possession of a small farm which 
her husband had purchased in that neighborhood, 
and upon which she hoped to keep her four chil- 
dren together. 

Necessity soon compelled our subject to take up 
his abode for a winter with an uncle in Sturgis, 
Mich., and there he remained until spring. He 
then joined a surveying party which was laying out 
a line of railroad from Michigan Citj', Ind., to 
LaFayette, being a part of what is now the Louis- 
ville. New Albany & Chicago Road. A few months 
after .young (4urney joined the party the engineer 
in charge went away and Mr. Gurney took up the 
work, carrying it on until the chief engineer ar- 
rived. That gentleman gave Mr. Gurney a week's 
instruction and then placed him in charge of the 
wo"k, which he completed satisfactorily from 
Michigan City to LaFayette, Ind. Few young 
men would have improved ever}' opportunit}- as he 
did and without previous preparation become so 
well acquainted with the work of a civil engineer. 

Mr. Gurne}' had determined to enter the minis- 
try at as early an age as the church would re- 
ceive him, which was upon attaining to his major- 
it3', and two years afterward he was ordained. He 
was known as the "boy preacher" in the days of 
I'eter Cartwright. James B. Finley and su<th pio- 



neers of the church. He continued his 1 bors in 
the ministry until the breaking out of the Civil 
War, when he accompanied the Ninth Indiana In- 
fantry to the front as Chaplain. He remained 
with the regiment during their ninety days' enlist- 
ment, and then under the direction of Gov. O. P. 
Morton, was engaged in enlisting men for the army 
for two years. After returning to the North he 
located at Valparaiso, Ind., and established the 
Porter County Vidette. While carrying on its 
publication he read law and was admitted to the 
bar within six months, and such was his standing 
in the community that he soon had a good practice. 

During the continuation of the Civil War Mr. 
Gurney became recognized as one of the leading 
men of the northern part of the State in connection 
with work in behalf of the Union. He aided 
Morton and Colfax and the other officials who 
stood by the Nation, in keeping the State in line, 
and took the stump for his principles, winning the 
admiration of the loyal people and the hatred of 
those who sympathized with the South. His name 
will go down to posterity as one of the brave band 
who did as noble a work in the State as the boys 
in blue were doing on Southern battle flelds, and 
whose life was oftimes as much endangered. 

At the close of the war Mr. Gurney continued 
his work as a newspaper man and attorney at Val- 
paraiso until 1874. During this time the degrees 
of Doctor of Divinit}' and Doctor of Laws were 
conferred upon him by the College of Northern, 
Indiana. Previous to this he received the degree of 
A. M. from Asbury. ITpon leaving Valparaiso 
Mr. (iurney removed to Englewood, Cook County, 
111., where he organized a church, which at the end 
of its second year was taken into the Rock River 
Conference as a regular station. He not onl}' or- 
ganized the society, but succeeded in building the 
church structure, now known as the First Mctho 
dist Episcopal Church of Englewood. The congre- 
gation was financially weak, but the feeling that a 
house of worship was needed, and that the Master's 
work must be done gained ground, until the un- 
dertaking was begun which resulted in the sub- 
stantial and commodious building in which a laru'e 
congregation now meets. Jlr. Gurney remained 
with the congregation during the Conference limit 



190 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of tbree years, after whlch;he was sent to yarious 
other charges. He was pastor of St Paul's Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church of Chicago, on leaving there 
went toBatavia, and returned to Chicago to .assume 
the pastorate of the Ada Street Church. "J He then 
went to Elgin and from that city to Ottawa, whence 
on the failure of his healtli, he came to Springfield. 
His removal hither took place^ia June, 1885, an'l 
not wishing to be idle, he Returned to his former 
business, that of a journalist, with the jesults be- 
fore noted. 

At tiie bride's home in Adrian, Mich., May 18, 
1853, Mr. Gurney was married to Janet Bailey. 
This lady has proved herself worthy as wife and 
mother and in the society of the various places in 
which she has lived has been influential and useful. 
The union has been blest by the birth of Ave chil- 
dren, of whom two, Charles William and George 
L., are deceased. The survivors are Frank A., 
Minnie R. and Charles Wilber. Frank married 
Caroline I. Bishop, a daughter of the Rev. J. Bishop, 
the ceremony being performed April 19, 1877. To 
them have come tluee children, Claude A., Jlaude 
i. and Benjamin F. Charles married Miss Serepta 
M. Bisliop, also a daughter of the Rev. J. Bishop, 
and has one child, Leila May. Our subject is still 
a member of the Rock River Conference and his 
family are numbered among the members of the 
First Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield. 




ON. LLOYD F. HAMILTON is a noted 
lawyer of Springfield who stands among the 
most eminent members of the bar of this 
State, both for his legal ability and forensic 
power. He is a Kontuckian by birth, born in Meade 
County, near Brandenburg, April 25, 1844, but by 
adoption is a son of Illinois, as be was reared and 
educated mostly in this State. His parents were Felix 
J. and Jane E. (Watlien) Hamilton. His father was 
a native of Kentucky, as were his parents before 
him. coming of an old pioneer family of that 
State, and there he was reared to the life of a 
farmer. While yet in life's prime his career was 
brought to an untimely close by his death in Octo- 



ber, 1844. His wife was thus left a widow with 
the care of their little son — Lloyd F. She brought 
him to Tazewell County, this State, where her 
father and brothers had settled in 1832. She was 
a resident thereafter of Illinois, although property 
interests kept her a part of the time in Kentucky. 
She died in Springfield March 6, 1886. 

Our subject was but a few months old when 
his father died and he was then taken from his 
place of birth to Illinois, as before mentioned, and 
has ever since made his home in this State. He 
attended the common schools and there laid the 
solid foundation of a liberal education. He after- 
ward entered Eureka College where he passed the 
years of 1861-62-G3 an<l a part of '64. His pref- 
erences for a profession in life pointed to the law 
and he attended a session of the law department of 
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, having 
previously studied with Judge Schofield, of Mar- 
shall. 111., in 1865. He subsequently became a stu- 
dent at the Union College of Law, at Chicago, 
from which he was graduated with honor, and at 
once came to Springfield to establish himself in 
practice, liaving passed a very successful examina- 
tion for atlmission to the bar before the Supreme 
Court. He formed a partnership with Paren Eng- 
land in 1866 and about a year after associated 
himself witii Thomas G. I'rickett. They continued 
together three years and then foruied a partner- 
ship with Charles H. Rice, which lasted four years. 
After being alone for awhile our subject became 
a partner of Robert L. McGuire. In February, 
1882, he and James W. Patton entered into a 
partnership which still continues, and they have an 
extensive practice. In 1886 Mr. Hamilton and 
Miss Lucy Fletcher were united in marriage, their 
wedding taking place Maj- 16. In their pleasant 
home two children have come to them — Walthem 
and Macie. 

Mr. Hamilton is a man of keen perceptions, pos- 
sessing a quick, intuitive mind and other charac- 
teristics which, with his s|)lendid knowledge of 
the law, has won him a lasting reputation before 
the bar in this State. Most of his life has been 
passed in this Commonwealth and he has won tri- 
umphs in its courts, in its legislative halls and 
as an incumbent of important civic offices. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



191 



lias liied many celebrated cases. He, Judge Math- 
enj' and Mr. Knopp were the counsel for Robbins, 
wlio was tried for killing Bancroft and thej' se- 
cured his acquittal. Robbins was City Marshal 
and had a warrant for the arrest of Bancroft who 
barrica<led himself in his home and Robbins shot 
him. Our subject, James VV. Pattou, and Mr. A. 
Orendorff, skillfully defended Thomas Humphreys 
for the killing of Patrick Shaugliness^', Mr. Hamil- 
ton entering a plea of insanity that cleared his 
client. In the case of Mrs. Arnold, who had killed 
her husband in an altercation with him, slie was 
ably defended by our suliject and his partner, Mr. 
Ration, who secured her acquittal on the ground 
that she committed the murder in self-protection. 
Mr. Hamilton was City Attorney two terms and 
immediately upon the expiration of his incumbency 
of that office he was elected State's Attorney for 
one term and continued to hold tliat office until 
January, 1877, he being one of the most energetic 
and able prosecutors that had served the common- 
wealth in that capacity for a long time. In 1882 
his fellow-citizens honored him and themselves by 
electing him to the .State Senate and his record as 
a legislator showed him to be animated with true 
public spirit and regard for the welfare of Illinois. 
He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first Presi- 
dential vote for Seymour. 



•■^^I^- ■;;•#■■;• — •* 



'vT OHN W. G. TURPIN. In the death of this 
1 gentleman, llliopolis Township lost a citizen 
who could ill be spared, as he was a farmer 
((@/' of practical ability who was interested in 
stock improvements, and a man whose influence in 
the community tended to elevate its social, educa- 
tional and moral status. A native of Scott County, 
Ky., born in 1830, he was a son of Robinson and 
Rachael (Powell) Turpin. His parents were also 
natives of Kentucky, and were members of promi- 
nent old Bourbon families. 

Mr. Turpin was taken from Kentucky to Hen- 
dricks County, Ind., when he was a boy and there 
he grew up to a farmer's life. Notwithstanding 



his meager school advantages he acquired a fair ed- 
ucation and was a man of rather wide reading. Be- 
coming impressed with the su|)erior advantages 
offered by the prairies of Illinois for farming pur- 
poses, in 1853 he made a journey to Sangamon 
County on a pros|)ecting tour, which was repeated 
in 1854, when he entered two hundred and fort\' 
acres of land in llliopolis Townshii) from the Gov- 
ernment. He returned to his home in Indiana, and 
for several years farmed and made the trip back and 
forth between tlie States, dealing extensively in 
stock. Once he made the long journey over- 
land to Philadelphia with a vast drove of cattle. 
He continued to carry on a flourishincr business, 
buying and selling slock and added eighty acres 
to his first purchase of land which gave him a iine 
property of three bundled and twenty acres of laud, 
all lying in a bod3'. 

In 1865 Mr. Turpin moved his family to Illinois 
and lived one year near Mechanicsburg, spent a 
short time in Buffalo Heart and then, in 18G8, per- 
manently settled on his farm in llliopolis Township. 
He began at once to improve it and though during 
his life he bought and sold other farms, he retained 
possession of that. He was a successful farmer, 
carrying on his business after the best methods, 
and grew to affluence and influence. He was ever 
identified with the best interests of the community, 
and always sliowed himself to be a loj'al and pulj- 
lic spirited citizen. He was not connected with 
any church yet he was a devout believer in the 
Bible and its teachings, being a Baptist in faith, and 
he led a pure Christian life. His death occurred 
June 7, 1882, and he was laid to rest in Steinbergcr 
cemetery. 

Mr. Turpin had the cheerful co-operation of one 
of the best of wives to whom he owed much. Their 
marriage was solemnized Februaiy 24, 1854. Mrs. 
Turpin, who formerly Elizabeth H. Swain, is a na- 
tive of Hendricks County, Ind., where she was 
born September 13, 1834. Her father was born in 
1812 and her mother in 1810. The marriage of 
our subject and his wife was blessed to them by the 
birth of seven children, of whom four are living: 
John R. and James H. at home; Bennett N., and 
Annie E., who married William J. Eblin and lives 
at hon^.e. Bennett was married in 1886 to Miss 



192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Mittic Cash, who died December 25, 1889. She 
was a native of Clark County and a refined and es- 
timable lady. 

Jlrs. Turpin resides with lier sons. She is a fine 
woman and is much respected by all vlio know 
her. She has a good recollection of [uoneer times, 
and often speaks of her and her husband's upward 
struggles in a new and strange country. The sons 
are of the progressive stamp of the father, and the 
farm under their management is in a flourishing 
condition, and is being tiled and placed in a 3et 
better state of cultivation. They raise the best of 
stock and are known as excellent farmers. 



^^\ HARLES T. MENDENHALL is carrying on 
(l(^' agriculture in Island Grove Township with 
^^>/ the success that has placed him among its 
prosperous farmers. lie is one of the native-born 
citizens of this county, the place of his birth at 
Berlin, and the date thereof October 13, 1852. 

Thomas G. Mendenhall, the father of our subject, 
was one of tiie earliest pioneers of the lownship 
mentioned, and is now one of its oldest living 
settlers. He was born May 26, 1814, in Brandy- 
wine Township, Pa., which was a part of the original 
land that was ceded to William Penn. Rlr. Men- 
denhall learned the trade of a carpenter in his j'outii 
and engaged at it in his native State for some 
years. He was there married to Sarah Bevans, 
and obtained a good start in life ere he came to 
this county to cast in his lot with its pioneers in 
1838. 

For eight j'ears after his arrival here Mr. Men- 
denhall engaged in tiie mercantile business at Berlin. 
He devoted himself wholly to his business, was an 
excellent calculator and a good manager, and at 
length acquired a handsome competence so that he 
was enabled to retire from active life in 1879. He 
is now living on a fine farm within the corporate 
limits of Berlin, where be is enjoying the fruits of 
bis early labors. 

Our subject lived witli his parents till the time 
of his marriage which took place at Girard, III.. 
June 23, 1875, on which occasion he was wedded 



to MissLillie Sprowell. Mrs. Mendenhall was born 
June 29, 1854, in this State, of which her i)arents 
were also natives. She has devoted herself to her 
household and is untiring in her unselfish care of 
lier family. 

He of whom we write has a farm of two hundred 
and forty acres on section 15, Island (irovc Town- 
ship. It is under excellent cultivation, has many 
fine improvements, and here he has a cozy home 
and is surrounded by a happy little family. 

Our subject is a whole-souled, warm-hearted man, 
who is well liked by all who know him, and is 
trusted by all with whom he has dealings, as his 
honesty and integrity are indisputable. Although 
he gives his support generally to the Reiiublican 
party, Rlr. Mendenhall is not strictly a part}' man, 
as it is his plan to vote for the candidate whom he 
deems best qualified for the ofTice regardless of 
whatever political faith he may be. He has served 
the educational interests of his township well in the 
capacity of School Director, which office he has 
held for four years. 




ILLIAM M. GIBSON is a prominent and 

^P^IJ well-known farmer residing on section 34, 
^/vy Loami Township, and is justly classed with 
the best citizens of the county. He is a native of 
this part of the State and was born in the pioneer 
home of his parents January 1, 1834. His father, 
David E. Gibson, was born April 16, 1811, near 
Lexington, Ky.. and his mother, whose maiden name 
was ISIary Greenwood, was born in Virginia in 
1809. 

David Gibson came to Sangamon County in 1828 
and located nine miles west of Ciiatham, he being 
one of the early settlers of that vicinity. He did 
good work here in assisting in the development of 
the country and is now a resident of Waverly, 
Morgan County, 111. His wife's death occurred 
March 22, 1842. 

The father of our subject was twice married and 
William is a son of the first marriage. He lived 
on his father's old homestead, near Chatham, till 
the age of nineteen years. He was bred to the life 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



193 



of a farmer and was efliieated in the old-fashioned 
log sclioolliousc of his day, where he learned to 
read and spell in the winter terra, as he was oblij;cd 
to work in the siuiimer. His first pnrcliase of land 
comprised a tract of eigiity acres on section 34, 
Loami Township. That formed the nucleus of his 
present valuable estate. He has since added to it 
other land from time to time so that he now has 
two hundred acres of the choicest land to be found 
in the township. 

The marriage of our subject (o INIiss Elizabeth 
Fowler was consummated May 11, 1854, and has 
been one of peace and contentment. iSIrs. Gibson 
was born in Lincolnshire. England, December 4, 
1833. She is a woman of much capability, is an 
excellent housewife and lias not only contributed 
her share to Ijring about her husband's prosperit^'^ 
but she has been potent in making their liome one 
of comfort and the center of a cheerful, abundant 
bospitalitj^ .She is the mother of the following six 
children, Mary, Joanna, David E.. Thomas. William 
M. Jr., and George. 

Born here in ))ioneer limes our subject has wit- 
nessed much of the growth of tlie county, and has 
been a factor in its upbuilding. He is a maTi of 
high character, well endowed with s.agacity and 
tenacity of purpose. Ho occupies a high jilaco in 
the estimation of his fellow-citizens. He has filled 
with honor offices of responsibility. He lias been 
School Director for fifteen years, was Road Com- 
missioner three years and represented Loami Town- 
ship on the Count}' Boanl of Supervisors one year. 
He is a member of the Cumberland Preslnterian 
Church, and his daily life is guided liy the highest 
Christian principles. 



-S€^> 



-♦ a "^ - 



eHARLES C. VAN METER. The aijricul- 
tural element that has been so largely in- 
strumental in the upbuilding of Sangamon 
Count}' is finely represented by this gentleman, 
one of its native-born citizens, who has a valuable 
farm in Fancy Cieek Township, of which he is a 
leading farmer and stock-raiser, and one of its most 
prominent civic officials. 

Our subject was born on the old Van Meter 



homestead in Fancy Creek Township, October 8, 
18.5 1. Abram Van Meter, his father, was born in 
H.ardy County, Va., November 9, 1801. He was 
two years old when his parents settled among the 
early pioneers of Ohio from whence he came to Illi- 
nois in 1829 and was an early settler of .Sangamon 
County. He married shortly after coming here 
Miss Nancy A. Hussey, their marriage taking place 
May 23, 1830. She died in 1881 at the age of sev- 
enty-one years. He died in 1879 aged seventy- 
eight years. His memory is held in reverence as 
one of the most useful pioneers of the county, who 
was very active in its development. At the time 
of his death he left a valuable estate of fourteen 
hundred acres of laud. Socially ite was a M.ason 
and politically a Republican, but he never aspired 
to office .as the care of his property required all of 
his time. Henry Van Meter, the paternal grand- 
father of our subject died in Ohio, where he built 
up a home in the wiklerness. 

He of whom we write was educated in the dis- 
trict schools and alwa\s remained at home assisting 
his father in his extensive farming operations. He 
has three hundred and fifty acres of ■well-improved 
land all lying in a body, on which he has commo- 
dious and- conveniently arranged buildings, and has 
fine farming mijchinery of the most modern make 
for the purpose of carrying on his farm labors, and 
everything about his place indicates the presence 
of a thoroughl}' practical and enterprising farmer. 
He engages principally in the cultivation of his 
land, raising grain and other products and deriving 
therefrom a substantial income. Ho is a man of 
large luiblic spirit and progressive views and all en- 
terprises likely to forward the interests of his native 
county find in him material and hearty support. 
He is a stockholder in the Sangamon Fair Associa- 
tion and his name is connected with other schemes 
for the benefit of the i)ublic. Socially he beknigs 
to the JMasonic order. Politically he is a leader 
among the Republicans of this section of the coun- 
try and h.as been delegate to various conventions. 
He is closely identified with the public life of town- 
slii|) and county, lias held the office of Assessor aiul 
various other oflfices and at present represents Fancy 
Creek on the County Board of Supervisors. He 
and his wife are both sincere Methodists and are 



194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



prominent in all the good woiks of their church. 
Mr. Van Meter is regarded as one of the rising 
young men of Sangamon County. He is energetic 
as well as intelligent and possesses fine liusincss 
qualifications. 

October 13, 1874, Mr. Van Meter and Miss Ida 
Clay pool solemnized their marriage. Slie is a 
native of this county and a daugliter of Thomas R. 
Claypool, who came liere witii his parents when 
quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Van Meter's happy 
wedded life lias been productive to them of two 
cliildren, namely: Hattie B., born June 14, 1876; 
and Abram D., May 7, 1879. 






OHARLES G.WINETEER is one of the young 
members of tlie legal profession now prac- 
' ticing in Springfield, who liave already made 
a name and a place for themselves among the many 
able lawyers of this city, and he is thought to have 
a brilliant future before him. lie is a native of this 
State, born in Woodford County. December 22, 
1864. He is son of Robert F. and Henrietta 
(Rogers) Wineteer, natives respectively of Ohio 
and Indiana. His paternal anestors originated 
in Germany, as the name indicates. His grand- 
father, John Wineteer, came from that country 
to the United States early in this century and 
is still living in AVoodford County at a vener- 
able age. It is a remarkable fact that the 
grandparents of our subject on lioth sides of the 
house are all living and all residents of Woodford 
County, where they are chiefly employed in 
farming. 

Robert F. Wineteer is the proprietor of the cele- 
brated Flowing Well Farm, so named because of a 
fine well on the premises. This is a noted stock- 
farm and Mr. Wineteer is extensively engaged in 
raising stock of high grades. He and his wife 
have a commodious home that is replete with every 
comfort. They are the parents of two children — 
Flora E., wife of J. W. Dodd, a farmer and grocer 
at Auburn, III., and Charles G. 

The subject of this biography passed his boyhood 
days in attending school, and by close study laid 



the solid foundation of a liberal education. He 
was graduated from the classical course of Wes- 
leyan University, of Bloomington, III., in the class 
of '84, with high honor. He subsequently began 
to prepare himself for the legal profession, for which 
he seemed to have a special aptitude. He read law 
with Senator M. L. Newell, of Minonk,and was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Ottawa, III., in the spring of 
1886. He issued with triumph from the searching 
examination of the court, presided over by able 
lawyers, making a record of one hundred, which 
has never been equaled but once in Illinois, ex- 
Judge Prendergast, of Cook County, obtaining the 
same rank in 1876. 

In 1888 Mr. AVineteer came to Springfield and 
opened an office here and since then has practiced 
in the local and other courts. In 1890 he was 
elected Justice of the Peace while absent at Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, on business. He is well fitted for 
this office, as he is well read in law. is especially 
competent to decide upon the merits of the cases 
tried before him, and is fair and judicial in his 
decisions. He is an eloquent speaker and is influ- 
ential in politics, taking his stand with the Demo- 
crats, and during the last Presidential campaign he 
was on the stump for two months in the northern 
part of the State and proved very efficient help to 
the )3emocrats of that part of Illinois in carrying 
on their work. He is identified with the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks, is a Knight of Pythias 
and also a Mason. 



-4- 



^¥r 



-4- 



^T^/RANK B. SMITH, President of the LaFay- 
iti^-) ette Smith AVholesale Grocer Company is 
jl^ one of the most prominent of the 3'oung 
business men of this his native city, and he is an im- 
portant factor in carrvingon its extensive commer- 
cial interests. He was born in this metropolis 
March 7, 1859, and laid the foundation of his edu- 
cation in the public schools. He decided to become 
a physician and read medicine with Dr. B. M.Grif- 
fith, a well-known physician of Springfield, and 
subsequently became a student at Rush Medical 
College at Chicago, from whicli he was graduated in 
the class of '79-'80. 



^ 



''"» 




f- 




^;^^^^ 



{^l^/?rwz^y^ 



SHOP OF SPRINGFIELD 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



1117 



After leaving- college our subject returned to 
this city and opened an office here for the practice 
of medicine. lie pursued his calling quite success- 
fully two years. l)ut the demands made iipoii his 
physical strength and endurance by his professional 
duties so impaired his health that he was obliged to 
retire, and in 188:3 he entered tlie grocery store 
with his father, LaFayelte Smith. He displayed 
an excellent talent for business and September 3, 
1888, the LaFayetto Smith Grocer Company incor- 
porated, and our subject was made president of the 
corporation which position he still holds. The 
Messrs. Smith have a large, well-fltted u[)and well- 
stocked establishment, and do an extensive and 
flourisliing business that extends even beyond the 
limits of the county. 

Dr. Smith and Miss Anais D. Converse, daughter 
of Hon. A. L. Converse, were married July 21, 
1885. The}' have made for themselves one of the 
coziest and pleasantest homes in the city and their 
household circle is completed b>' the little child born 
to them whom they have named Harry B. Our 
subject is a j'oung man of fine personal attributes, 
possesses force and decision of character and a 
good insight into the best methods of conducting 
business and will undoubtedly occupy a high posi- 
tion in the financial circles of his count}', as regards 
the acquirement of wealth iii the future, as he has 
a bright career before him. He is a sincere and 
manly Christian and a member of the Baptist 
Church. He has ably served his cit}' on the Board 
of Health for the past eight ^ears and is still con- 
nected with that valuable sanitary committee, hav- 
ing been re-appoiuted regardless of his political 
affiliations. 



.^••J^.., 



!)HK RIGHT REV. GEORGE FRANKLIN 

SEYMOUR, S. T. D., LL. D., whose por- 
trait appears on the 0|)posite page, was born 
in the city of New York on the 5lh of Januar}', 
1829. He was the youngest child of Isaac Newton 
and Elvira (Belknap) Seymour. The two eldest 
children, sons, died in infancy in Newburg, Orange 



County, N. Y., where the family then resided, and 
where the third child, a daughter Mar}', was born in 
1820. In 1825 Isaac Newton Seymour removed to 
New Y'ork City on receiving an appointment in the 
office of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., and there 
his two remaining children, Elvira and the future 
bishop were born, the former in 1820 and the lat- 
ter as above stated, in 1829. 

The Bishop's father was of English ancestry and 
the family emigrated from Hertfordshire about 
1640, to New Hartford, Conn. The descendants 
of the original settlers were scattered, some going 
to Vermont, and others to the State of New Y'ork. 
In New Y''ork the Seymours found homes in Sara- 
toga County, and further west in Oneida and On- 
ondaga Counties. Isaac Newton Seymour was 
born in the village of Stillwater, Saratoga County, 
May 12, 179 4. He came to Newburg in 1810 to 
make his way in the world, and rose from the hum- 
ble position of a clerk in a village store to be Dep- 
uty Sheriff of the county (Orange) before he was 
twenty-five years of age. In 1825, on the organi- 
zation of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Co., Mr. 
Seymour was tendered a position in the New York 
oflice by the President, John Wurtz. This he pc- 
cepted, and after a few years became the Treasurer, 
which place he retained until April 1, 18C9, mak- 
ing a service of nearly forty-five years in connec- 
tion with the comi)any. On his retireuient by vol- 
untary resignation the managers jiassed a series of 
very complimentary resolutions, and voted their 
late treasurer a life annuity of §2.000 and a desk in 
their office for his personal use. Mr. Seymour died 
January 17, 1 87;). 

The Bishop's mother united Irish and English 
blood in her veins; on her father's side she was En- 
glish, on her mother's Irish. She was married to 
Mr. Seymour in the village of Newburg, A[)ril 14, 
1818. She was a woman of much more than ordi- 
nary ability, and to her (ieorge has often been 
heard to say that he owed more than words could 
express. She was his companion when his infirm- 
ity withdrew him in large measure from the society 
of his equals in years, and he shared with her his 
hopes and fears and experiences in school and col- 
lege life. She lived to see him graduated at the 
bead of his class in Columbia College, New Y'ork, 



198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and henr hira deliver the Greek Salutatory Poem, 
the higliest honor in those days (1850) of the in- 
stitution. She lived to see hira a priest in the 
church of God, and Warden of St. Stephen's Col- 
lege, Annandale, Dutchess County, N. Y., which 
he himself had founded within six years after tak- 
ing orders. Her death occurred November 2.5, 
1858. 

The elder of the Bishop's sisters, Mary, who still 
survives, married her second cousin, John F. Sey- 
mour, and has three daughters; the younger named 
for htr mother, Elvira, married Charles H. Mount. 
Siie died in 1856 leaving two daughters. When 
the subject of this memoir was less than a month 
old he fell a victim to an attack of malignant op- 
thalmia, whlcli was at the time epidemic. After a 
protracted confinement of more than sixteen weeks, 
to which he was condemned by the physicians in 
charge, the infant emerged from the darkened 
chamber with the sight of one eye, the right, so 
seriously imjiaired that it ceased to be of any prac- 
tical use ever afterward, and the other had sus- 
tained permanent injury through the corroding 
effects of the violent inflammation. Under the hard 
conditions thus imposed by very imperfect vision, 
tlie boy and man has been obliged to pursue his 
studies and do his life work. He early showed a 
strong love for books and learned to read by the 
help of his mother in the daily use of the family 
Bible, passing rapidly from the recognition of the 
large initial letters to a mastery of the ordinary 
text. When once he could read, be seized upon 
every book that came within his reach, without re- 
gard to the character of its contents, and perused it 
eagerly. This will account for his having read 
through, before he was eleven years of age, Locke's 
'■Essay on the Human Understanding." 

George passed from a madam's school, taught by 
a Miss Durand, when eight years old, to the Village 
Academy presided over by S. R. Jlartin. The 
Village Academy was located a few blocks above 
Canal Street, and its natne bears evidence to the 
rapid growth of New York City. F'rom Mr. Mar- 
tin's school the boy advanced to the grammar school 
of Columbia College under the charge of Prof. 
Charles Anthon and Dr. Henry Drisler. Here 
3-oung Seymour began his classical studies, and 



completed his academic course in the college with 
its highest honors iu 1850, receiving the General 
Testimonial, which placed him at the head of his 
class, and delivering the Greek Salutatory, on this 
occasion an iambic trimeter poem. 

Mr. Seymour was strongly' drawn to the sacred 
ministry through influences which fell upon him 
during his college course, and especially from a 
classmate older than himself, with whom he w.as in- 
timate, James Starr Clark, now the Rev. Dr. Clark, 
the higld3' respected head of the excellent school 
for bo^s at Tivoli-on-the-IIudson. He hesitated, 
however, on account of his very defective vision, 
and waited a full year befos'e he ventured so far as 
to enter the General Theological Seaiinary in the 
autumn of 1851. liven then, although enrolled as 
a student of the seminary, he did not become a 
candidate for holy orders until he reached his sen- 
ior year, so doubtful was he of his ability to per- 
form in a satisfactory manner, the public duties of 
the priesthood. He was graduated from the semi- 
narj' in the summer of 1854 in a very large class, 
many of whose members have become eminent in 
the church. Among them are Bishops Brown and 
Knight, and Drs. DeKoven, Hodges, Parker, 
Richey and Smedes. 

In consequence of the death of Bishop Wain- 
wright, young Seymour was not ordained until the 
third Sunday in Advent following, December 17, 
1854, i)i the Church of the Annunciation, West 
Fourteenth Street, New York, bj' the Right Rev. 
Dr. Horatio Potter. This day was the anniversary 
of the consecration of Archbishop Parker, in the 
reign of Queen Elizabeth in 1559. The sermon on 
the occasion was preached by the Rev. Samuel Sea- 
bury, D. D., Rector of the church and a grandson 
of the first Bishop of the American Church. 

On the 7th of January following, the newly or- 
dained Deacon entered upon his first charge, by 
appointment of the Bishop at Annandale on the 
Hudson, Dutchess County, N. Y. He literally 
placed himself in the bishop's hands and said that 
he was ready to go whithersoever his father in God 
cliose to send him. It was his duty to do so, but 
it is worth while to mention that obedience to his 
Bishop at the outset cost him the privilege of re- 
maining at home and the loss of more than half the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



199 



income offered him in New York had he remained. 

The ordination of Mr. Seymonr to tiie priest- 
hood occurred in September, 1855, in Zion Cliurcli, 
Greenburg (Dobb's Ferry), Westchester County, 
then under the pastoral care of the Rev. William 
A. McVickar. The sermon was preached by the 
faliier of the Rector, the Rev. Dr. John McVickar, 
for many years professor in Columbia College, 
New York, and among the congregation present on 
the occasion was Washington Irving. The Bishop 
of New York. Dr. Horatio Potter, ofiiciated again 
as the ordaining prelate, as he was destined to do 
once more, when he consecrated his presbj'ter a 
bishop in 1878. At the same time that the Rev. 
Mr. Seymour was made a priest, one who had for a 
time been his classmate in tlie seminarj', but had 
gone abroad without graduating, was ordained a 
Deacon, the Rev. Clinton Locke, now the Rev. 
Dr. Locke, of Chicago. 

Within six years from bis assuming charge of iiis 
mission at Annandale, the Rev. Mr. Seymour estab- 
lished St. Stephen's College and became its first War- 
den. He also gathered a congregation of over one 
hundred communicants, and housed them in the 
beautiful stone Church of the Holy Innocents, which 
was built under his administration. Indeed it was 
twice built, since when nearly ready for occupation, 
it was burned on the night of December 27, 1858. 
The missionary was not disheartened, .although 
there was no insurance. He gathered all his worldly 
means together, not much, but his all, and set about 
rebuilding when the spring opened. The presence 
of the workmen and the avowal of his jnirpose by 
the young clergyman, moved the financial founder 
of the college, John Bard, to come forward and 
generously assume the responsibility of completing 
the church. It was consecrated by Bishop Potter. 
on the Feast of the Purification February 2, 1860. 
While the church was being built, visitors so fre- 
quently made the criticism that the edifice w.as al- 
together too costly and beautiful for tiie humble 
people who dwelt around, that the missionar}', with 
a view to answer the cavil and cure for all time to 
come the misconception on which it rested, caused 
to be emblazoned in illuminated letters on the west- 
ern wall of the church the text, '-The palace is not 
for man, but for the Lord God." (I. Chron., 



XXIX, 1). There the words remain to tell all who 
enter the sacred portals who dwells there to wel- 
come them, even the King of Kings. Such wore 
the convieUons of the missionary who built the 
church and the sentence is his memorial. Through 
it he speaks to those who visit Annandale. 

In 1861 the Rev. Mr. Seymour resigned his posi- 
tions as Warden of St. Stephen's College and Mis- 
sionary, and became the Rector of St. Mary's 
Church, Manhattanville, a part of New York City. 
Here he remained one year, when, at the instance 
of his bishop, he took charge as Rector of Christ 
Church, Hudson, Columbia County. Again his in- 
cumbency lasted but a year, when he left, on the 
nomination of his bishop, to lead an almost forlorn 
hope in recovering St. John's Church, Brooklyn, 
from the demoralization into which it had fallen 
by the quarreling of factions. Obedient to his 
bishop, the Rev. Mr. Seymour surrendered his pros- 
|)erous work in Hudson to make the venture of 
healiug the dissensions and uniting the factions of 
the unhappy parish of St. John's in Brooklyn. 
Here he served for more than three years, and dur- 
ing this time he was elected Professor of Ecclesias- 
tical History in the General Theological Seminary 
whose halls he had left as a student eleven years 
before. He entered upon his duties as professor 
in the mouth of October, 1865, but was not released 
from his rectorship of St. John's until Epiphany, 
1867, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Alex- 
ander Burgess, now Bishop of Quincy. The rector- 
ship of Mr. Seymour in St. John's was a success. 
He gathered a congregation whose communicants 
numbered over five hundred, and he paid off the 
entire floating debt. 

In the General Theological Seminary the Rev. 
Mr. Seymour remained as professor for fourteen 
years, from 1865 to 1879. During this interval he 
received the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology 
from Racine (Wis.) College, over which his be- 
loved classmate and friend. Dr. James DeKoven, 
presided as Warden in 1867, and the degree of Doc- 
tor of Laws from his Alma Mater, Columbia Col- 
lege (N. Y.), in 1878. In 1867. after he left St. 
John's Church, Brooklyn, he became Chaplain of 
the House of Mere}-, New York, an asylum for the 
reclamation of fallen women, under the charge of 



200 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the Sisters of St. Mary, and on the death of the 
Rev. Dr. John McVickar, he was chosen by the 
trustees to succeed him as Superintendent of the 
Society for Promoting Religion and Learning, in 
tlie State of New York. The duties of this office 
made him responsible for the distribution of over 
$25,000 annually among needy theological stu- 
dents. 

In 1875 the Rev. Mr. Seymour was elected by a 
very large majority the second permanent Dean of 
the General Theological Seminary, in succession to 
the Rev. Dr. Forbes. Dr. Seymour's career at the 
seminary was eminently practical. Outside of his 
specific duties as professor and dean, he began un- 
der great difficulties and with very limited means, 
those improvements in the buildings and grounds 
of the institution which have been so munificently 
and generously continued bj' the present dean, the 
Rev. Dr. Hoffman. In 18G8 the Rev. Dr. Seymour 
came within a few votes on the part of the laity of 
being chosen Bishop of Missouri. He received al- 
most the unanimous vote of the clergy. 

In 1874 the Rev. Dr. Seymour was elected Bishop 
of the undivided diocese of Illinois in succession 
to Bishop Whitehouse. The confirmation of the 
election was refused by a technical majority uf the 
House of Deputies voting by dioceses and orders, 
although a numerical majority was favorable. Tiie 
opposition to Dr. Seymour was not personal but 
theological, and was continued towards his friend, 
the Rev. Dr. James DeKoven, who a few riiontlis 
later was refused approval as Bishop Elect of Illi- 
nois by the standing committees. A few years have 
passed and the position of these two men has been 
abundantly vindicated. The principles for which 
they contended and suffered are accepted as the 
blessed heritage which was bequeathed to us by the 
primitive church. Dr. DeKoven lived to see his 
lellow victim of partisan excitement Bishop of 
Springfield, and Dr. Seymour has lived to see a 
member of a religious order, under monastic vows, 
Bishop of Fond du Lac. Thank God for martyr- 
dom, thank God for confessorship. They are fruit- 
ful in good results. We may not aspire to the one, 
but we may justly lay claim to the other. Dr.'De- 
Koven was in a very high sense a confessor. His 
brethren, without knowing what they were doing, 



accorded him this privilege, and because the spirit 
of a martyr was in him, he with the deepest humil- 
it}' won the undoing renown of confessorship. 

Dr. Seymour was elected by unanimous vote of 
both clergy and laity, bishop of the newly erected 
diocese of Springfield in December, 1877. His 
election was approved and the following April he, 
acting under the advice of friends, declined. In 
the annual convention which assembled the next 
month, he was again unanimously chosen bishop, 
and feeling that such persistency was a constrain- 
ing call, he accepted and was duly consecrated as 
the first Bishop of Springfield, on the Feast of St.. 
Barnabas, June 11, 1878, in Trinity Church, New 
York City. By a happy conjunction the Feast of 
St. Barnabas, "the son of consolation," in 1878 fell 
upon Tuesdaj' in Whitsun-Week, and thus the pres- 
ence of the Holy Spirit was remarkably emphasized 
when Dr. Seymour received the office of a bishop 
in the Church of God. 

Three bishops, by the law of the universal church, 
are necessary for a canonical consecration. Dr. 
Seymour had ten. His diocesan. Dr. Horatio Pot- 
ter, who ordained him Deacon in 1854 and priest 
in 1855, acted by commission from the Presiding 
Bishop as consecrator. He was assisted Dr. Harper, 
Lord Bishop of Christ Church, New Zealand, and 
Metropolitan; Dr. Southgate, retired Bishop, form- 
erly Missionary Bishop in Turkey ; Dr. Odenheimer, 
Bishop of Northern New Jersey; Dr. Quintard, 
Bishop of Tennessee; Dr. Clarkson, Bishop of Ne- 
braska; Dr. McLaren, Bishop of Illinois; Dr. Lay, 
Bishop of Easton ; Dr. Neoly, Bishop of Maine ; and 
Dr. Scarborough, Bishop of New Jersey. Bishop 
Lay, at Dr. Seymour's request, preached the ser- 
mon. The presence of the Metropolitan of New 
Zealand added English orders to the strands which 
were woven together in the consecration. He 
came from New Zealand to San Francisco, and 
thence to New York via Chicago to embark for 
England to attend the Lambeth Conference which 
assembled a month later, and was in the City of 
New York but about twenty hours. Dr. Harper 
came, as it were, from the ends of the earth, to go 
far hence across the ocean, and was in the cit}' just 
long enongh to take part in the consecration, and 
then was gone, never to return. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



201 



Doctor, now BisLop Seymour, came to reside in 
his diocese in September, 1879. lie was detained 
by the oflices which he held at the time of his con- 
secration. These lie could not viicate until succes- 
sors were appointed and in the case of the deanship 
and professorship in the seminar}', several months 
must elapse before an election could be held. In the 
course of the year satisfactory arrangements were 
made, and the new bishop, released from his duties 
and responsibilities in the East, went to his future 
home to assume the charge of his diocese. The 
Bishop was married in Trinity Church, New York 
City, on July 23, 1889, to Harriet Atwood Aymar, 
the ceremony being performed by Dr. H. C. Potter, 
Bishop of New York, assisted by the Rev. Dr. I)ix. 

A word may be added in reference to the diocese, 
its present condition and its future prosiiects. The 
Diocese of Springfield receives its name from its 
see city, and embraces three-fifths of the territory 
of the State of Illinois, and about half its poinila- 
tion. It reaches from Bloomington to Cairo, and 
from the Indiana line to the Illinois River, and 
lower down, to the Mississippi. The Church is rel- 
atively very weak within its borders, ovving to the 
fact that she was not here in 1800 to meet the im- 
migrants as they began to pour in and take up the 
fertile prairies for their future homes. The Church 
in the East was in no condition to be missionary in 
its character until the century was half gone. She 
had more than enough to do to hold her own 
against religious prejudice and ignorance, which 
confounded her with Rome; political prejudice, 
which alleged that her sympathies were monarchi- 
cal, because she was the State Church of England; 
and social prejudice, since accident in Colonial 
limes had given her an undue proportion of the 
wealth of the country. Hence for these causes the 
Chuich w.as not in Illinois to plant and build, to 
take up land and provide endovvmenis for churches, 
schools and asylums, as the other religious bodies 
were. She came last upon the ground, and as late 
as 1837 there were only five jjresbyters within the 
entire Stale of Illinois. 

When in 1877 the original diocese, which was 
identical in territory with the State, was divided 
into three, Springfield was assigned as her portion 
almost the whole of the distinctly missionary re- 



gion where the Church ha<l no visible existence. 
There was no endowment, there were no institu- 
tions of any kind ; there was an immense work to 
do and little or no means with which to do it. 
Twelve years have passed since Bishop Seymour's 
consecr.ition, and the church has grown under his 
administration in the interval to three times her 
proportions in every element of material strength 
beyond what she was when she was placed as a new 
diocese under his charge. 



<j|JOHN BRESSMER. A striking example of 
what can be accomplished by persistent in- 
dustry and sti'ict attention to business is 
afforded in the life of John Bressraer, the 
leading drj'-goods merchant of Springfield. He 
came to Springfield poor, unacquainted with the 
language and customs of America, but ready to do 
any honest work and keen to take the advantage of 
an opportunity to advanse. He has risen to a po- 
sition of prominence in the mercantile world, being 
the proprietor of an establishment which is by far 
the largest of its class in Springfleld and occupies 
over twent}' thousand feet of floor space. Once a 
laborer at fifty cents a day he is now the employer 
of forty clerks and the manager of an extensive 
business. 

Mr. Bressmer was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, June 8, 1833, his parents being Philip and 
Julia (FoUmer) Bressmer. The father was a labor- 
ing man and was led to America by the accounts 
which had reached him of the better opportunities 
which awaited the poor man here. He embarked 
with his wife and seven children and landed at 
New Orleans sixt^' days after leaving Havre. He 
came up the river to St. Louis, thence to Pekin, 
III., which he reached July 4, 1848, and thence 
traveled in a wagon to Ml. Pulaski, Logan County. 
He stopped over night where Lincoln now stands, 
then Postville, there being two houses there at the 
time. At Ml. Pulaski Mr. Bressmer stopped with 
an uncle a short time, and there died in October, 
1848. 
Our subject came to SpringQeld in the latter part 



262 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of July, 1848, and found bis first employment in 
grading down the street in front of Lincoln's resi- 
dence. While making excavations he used to watch 
Lincoln going to and fro, and says that he grew to 
love the man before he was able to converse with 
him. It was a proud day for the young man when 
he could cast a ballot in favor of the man he so 
admired. After working on liie roads for a time at 
fifty cents a day Jlr. Bressraer hauled rock and 
mortar fov a distillery at Carpenter's Mill, and then 
liired out to JS. I\L Tinsley, for whom he sawed 
wood, curried horses and made fires for two \vin- 
ters. 

In October, 1851, Mr. Bressmer became a grocerj^ 
clerk for Ihirst & Taylor, and after acting in that 
capacity two or three years became a dry-goods 
clerk. In 1855-56 the firm dissolved partnership 
and Mr. Bressmer continued his duties two years 
after Cliarles W. Matheny had entered the firm. 
Two years later our subject and B. C. McQuestcr 
bought C. R. Hurst's interest and the firm became 
IMatheny & Co. This connection lasted until 1808, 
wiien Mr. Bressmer took sole charge of the estab- 
lishment. He continued on the old site until 1881, 
when he removed to his |)resent quarters. Here he 
occupies four stories, which are fitted up in the 
most convenient manner and stored with carefully 
selected goods. In carpels his establishment rivals 
anytiiing in the State, the appointments of the de- 
partment being unique and perfect. A large hall 
on the up[)er floor has been provided for Mie pur- 
pose of fitting carpets of any size which may be 
ordered, and as they are sewed and placed just as 
they will be on the floor for which they are de- 
signed, tliere is no danger of misfits. 

Mr. Bressmer was fortunate in securing for his 
wife a lady of genuine wortli of character and 
pleasing manners. 8he bore the maiden name of 
Mary Weiss and the marriage rites were solemnized 
in 1855. Two sons and two daughters have come 
to bless the iiappy home: Charles has charge of 
the carpet department in the store; and George is 
a book-keeper tliere: Julia and Emma assist their 
mother in making the home attractive and in draw- 
ing to it a pleasant circle of friends. 

Mr. Bressmer is a firm believer in the principles 
laid down in tlie Republican platform and is always 



ready to deposit his ballot in theii- support. He 
belongs to the German Lutheran Church, has good 
standing in the organization and throughout the 
community. That he is shrewd and enterprising 
his success in business proves beyond a doubt. He 
possesses the faculty of controlling, which is nec- 
essary to the manager of a large mercantile estab- 
lishment, and while decided in securing efficiency 
and courtes}' on the part of his employes, is con- 
siderate and kind in his relations with them. 



<|^ l»,TLLIAM RAPER TIIRAWL is a man of 

\r\j/ progressive enlightened views, and carries 
^sf/ on his business as a farmer and stock- 
raiser after the most approved methods. His farm 
in Mechanicsburg occupies one of the most beauti- 
ful sites in Sangamon County, and its improve- 
ments are such as add to the attractiveness of the 
place. Clarke County, Ohio, is the native place of 
our subject, and there he was born to Joseph and 
Eliz;ibeth (Ross) Thrawl, native.? respectively of 
JNLiryland and Ohio. Tliej- came to Illinois in 
1843, and located among the pioneers of that sec- 
tion now included in Christian County, taking up 
their residence ten miles east of Taylorville, where 
the father engaged in farming. 

William Thrawl was given the advantages of a 
fine education. After a preliminary course he en- 
tered tlie Illinois State University, where he took a 
thorough course, including the languages and the 
iiigher mathematics, and was well equipped for 
teaching. He entered upon that profession after a 
brief experience in a music store, and in due time 
became one of the leading educators of I his count}', 
his professional career extending over a jicriod of 
thirteen years and ending in 1883. In that year 
he abandoned that profession in order to devote 
himself to farming. He bought one hundred and 
sixt}' acres of land lying three-quarters of a mile 
north of Buffalo, and there has a magnificent estate. 
The natural situation of the land is grand and im- 
posing, and is one of the finest bits of landscape in 
the county. It slopes north, south and west, and 
on an eminence of seventy-five feet our subject has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOC^RAPHICAL ALBUM. 



863 



a commodious frame residence, wliicli commands an 
extensive view of the surrounding country and is 
a conspicuous object for man}' miles. The out- 
buildings are of a neat and attractive appearance, 
and the grounds are in harmony with the natural 
beauties of the location. The house is tastefully 
furnished and among its attractions is a grand 
piano, as both Mr. and ]\Irs. Thrawl are fond of 
music. 

Our subject and his wife were wedded in New 
Carlyle, Oliio, in 1880. Mrs. Thrawl was formerly 
Miss Dora Hamlet. Her father is Samuel Hamlet, 
a banker of Carlyle, Ohio, and one of the foremost 
men of that State, noted for his integrit}-, sagacity 
and benevolence. Mrs. Thrawl is finely educated. 
She was a student for sometime at the Normal, at 
VVortliington, Ohio, and at the early age of fifteen 
years became a teacher. So successful was she in 
that profession that she was chosen a member of 
the faculty of Linden Hill Academy, an instilulion 
thit ranked among the best of the higher scliools in 
Ohio. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thrawl are greatly es- 
teemed in their community and arc i)opular ir. 
society. They are among the leading members of 
the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Thrawl is a man of 
enlightened views, keeps abreast with modern 
thought not only in his business but in the general 
literature of the day, and it is to such men that 
Sangamon County looks to promote its advance- 
ment. 



,R. JOSIAH L. WILCOX, who is engaged 
in the practice of medicine in Springfield, 
was born in Sangamon County on the 2Gth 
of November, 1836, and is a son of Ellis and Ann 
(Lewis) Wilcox, who were natives of Tennessee 
and South Carolina respeetivcl}'. During their 
childhood the}' removed with their families to 
Kentucky, where they became acquainted and were 
married. The year 1829 witnessed their arrival 
in Illinois and Sangamon County was chosen as a 
favorable location. This was two years prior to 
the winter of the deep snow which was with- 
out a parallel in the history of the county, and 
which will never be forgotten by those who were 



here at the time. The family of Ellis and Ann 
Wilcox numbered ten children, but four died in 
infancy. Of the six who grew to mature jears 
the following are yet living: Thomas, a farmer of 
Morgan County, 111".; Josiah L., of this sketch; 
Jolm F., of Kansas; and Charles H., of this county. 
The mother died in 1878, at the age of seventy- 
eight years and the death of Mr. Wilcox occurred 
January 22, 1890, he having attained to the very 
advanced age of one hundred years, four months 
and ten days. He followed various pursuits dur- 
ing life, but made farming his chief occupation. 
On his one hundreth birthday his family, neigh- 
bors and friends met to celebrate the event, and 
on that memorable occasion about one thousand 
were present. 

The Doctor has been liberally educated both in 
the literary and merlical sciences and is ably fitted 
for the life work which he has chosen. After at- 
tending the common schools of the county he pur- 
sued a year's course of study in Shurtleff College, 
and for two years was a student in the Illinois 
College. Under the directions of ]:)rs. Gibson & 
Wilson, of Berlin, he entered upon the study of 
medicine and in the winter of 1857-58 attended 
a course of lectures in Rush Bledical College, 
of Chicago. The following 3'ear he was graduated 
from the St. Louis Medical College and entered 
u|)on the practice of medicine in Leadville, Colo., 
where he remained nine months, when he removed 
to Manito, Mason County, III. His labors at 
that place were interrupted by his enlistment in 
the service of his country in Ma}', 1862. He was 
appointed Surgeon of the Eleventh Illinois Cav- 
alry, and in that capacity served until October, 
1865, participating in all the campaigns in which 
his regiment was engaged. When the war was over 
he located in Loami, 111., where for about eighteen 
years he was successfully eng.aged in the prosecu- 
tion of his profession. He dates his residence in 
Springfield from 1884. 

Dr. Wilcox has been twice married. In 1861 he 
wedded Miss Alice V. Parker who died ten months 
later, leaving an infant son, .Toe Allison, who is 
now living in Morgan County, HI. The present 
wife of Dr. Wilcox was in her maidenhood Miss 
Jean F. Patteson and their union w.as celebrated 



204 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in November, 1865. Unto them have been born 
three cliildren — -Dwight, a clerk for a railroad con- 
tractor now of Clifton Forge, Va. ; Augustus Pat- 
tesoG, who is employed as a salesman in one of 
the mercantile establishments of Springfield; and 
Annie L., at home. 

Dr. Wilcox is now serving liis sixth term as City 
Physician of Springfield, which fact is certainly 
indicative of his ability. In politics he is a stanch 
Demucrat and an adherent to the policy of Jack- 
son that "to the victor belong the spoils." In 
1874 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to 
the Legislature, in which Senators Cullom and 
Geering were his colleagues. During President 
Cleveland's administration he served as Pension 
Examiner. The Doctor is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and is held in high esteem in so- 
cial and business circles. 

ftlLLIAM L. McKINNIE has valuable farm- 
'II ing interests on section 18, Springfield 
Township, in the shape of a substantially 
improved and well-cultivated farm. Our subject 
comes of an old pioneer family of this county. 
His father, Thomas L. McKiunie, who was in his 
day a prominent farmer in this locality, was born 
in Fleming County, Ky., February 4, 1808, and 
was a son of Lewis and Nanc3^ (Saunders) McKiu- 
nie. His parents came to this county in 1826 and 
he accompanied them to their new pioneer home in 
the wilds of this township, and afterward made his 
home on the land that was then bought from the 
Government until his death. He married Miss 
Sarah A. M. Jones, who was born in Virginia, 
October 16, 1819. Their wedded life was blessed 
to I hem by the l)irth of five children. 

William McKinnie was the second child in order 
of birth born to his parents, and he first opened his 
eyes to the world on the old homestead in Spring- 
field Township, February 4, 1844. He here grew 
to man's estate, and has always lived in the home 
of his birth. He has made farming his life work, 
entering upon his career at an early age, and his 
farm of eiglity acres is highly tilled and upon it is 




a neat set of substantial farm buildings, and all the 
improvements that go to make a first-class farm. 
He is conducting his farming operations after good 
metliods and is in receipt of a good income as the re- 
sult of his labors. Mr. McKinnie is regarded as one 
of the best citizens of his native township, in whose 
welfare he takes an active interest, especialh' in re- 
gard to educational matters, and he has filled some 
of the school offices very acceptably. He is a man 
of good personal habits, of sound discretion and is 
sagacious in the management of his affairs. 

Mr. McKinnie was first married to Miss Eleanor 
Hood, and of their marriage one child was born, 
Maud E. Mrs. McKinnie died after a brief but 
ha|3py wedded life in her husband's home in Spring- 
fisld Township. His parents were Samuel and Eliza- 
beth (Hare) Hood, native of England, and now resi- 
dents of Springfield. Mrs. McKinnie was born in 
Wales, and was j'oung when she was brought to 
this country. 

The maiden name of the present wife of our sub- 
ject was Sophia J. Schneider. She is, like himself, 
a native of Springfield Township, and was born 
here February' 7, 185'J. Siie is a daughter of Mer- 
idith A. and Mary Josephine Schneider, natives of 
Germany. Her father is a respected resident of 
this township. Her mother is deceased, her death 
occurring in Springfield Township. Mr. and Mrs. 
McKinnie have a pleasant, cozy home and their 
wedded life is one of happiness, and h.as been blessed 
to them by the birth of a daughter, whom they 
have named Eleanor F. 



RS. JANE (YATES) ELLIOTT, widow 
of J(jhn F. Elliott, is a woman of more 
than ordinary force of character and prac- 
tical ability. She and her son Henry and 
daughter Pha'be are conducting extensive farming 
and stock raising interests in Island Grove Town- 
ship, and are managing a large and valuable estate 
left by her husband with marked success. 

Mrs. Elliott was born in Warsaw, Ky., October 
23, 1825, and is a daughter of the late Henry 
Yates, of this count}-. Her father was one of the 






^/^pccd^^yCr 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



207 



early settlers of the State, and our subject relates 
with interest many events that occurred in early 
times, and gives one vivid ideas of the struggles 
of the early settlers and of pioneer life. She was 
carefully trained in all that goes to make a good 
housewife, and at the time of her marriage with 
.John Elliott, in 1846, when she was blooming into 
womanhood, she was perfectly cap.able of taking 
charge of a home of her own, and her husband 
found in her a cheerful and ready helper, and her 
assistance and wise counsels greatly aided him in 
liis work. 

Mrs. EUiott's marriage was blessed to her and 
her husband by the birth of the following children: 
Phcebe, Charles Y., Henry and John F., Jr. Mrs. 
Elliott possesses a true religious nature and for 
many years has been one of the most esteemed 
members of the Christian Church, and has always 
taken a deep interest in its affairs and given much 
toward its support. Slie is kind, charitable and 
neighborly in her relations with all about her and 
holds a warm place in the affections of her many 
friends. 

Mr. Elliott was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, 
April 14, 1823. His parents were Charles and 
Phoebe Elliott. Mr. Elliott's father was a Method- 
ist preacher and was connected with the book con- 
cern of Cincinnati, and Jlr. Elliott lived in Cin- 
cinnati six or seven years. His father also edited 
the Western Christian Advocate for several years. 
His father was of Irish descent and his mother a 
native of Virginia. He remained with his parents 
in their pioneer home in Ohio till he attained the 
age of twentj'-five years. Tiien, in the prime of an 
active, wide-awake, intelligent manhood, he came to 
Sangamon Count3' and located in wliat is now 
Cartwright Township, where he engaged in farming 
for three years. He then disposed of his property 
there at a good price and bought the farm where 
his widow and family now reside. He led a busy 
life and in time acquired a handsome property, in- 
cluding a large body of valuable land in Island 
Grove Township, on section 17. He became one 
of the most prominent citizens of the township and 
often mingled in its public and political life. He 
served the people as Magistrate for several j-ears, 
and for twelve j'ears was a member of the County 



Board of Supervisors. In politics he used his in- 
fluence in favor of the Republican party. He was 
a man of clear understanding, possessing large 
foresiglit, rare judgment, ami other traits which are 
essential to success in life. He was a man of weight 
in his community, was sagacious in counsel, and his 
advice was often sought by others. He died July 
2.5, 1890, leaving behind him an unblemished life 
record, and a feeling among the people with whom 
he h.ad associated so long that one of the most hon- 
ored and beloved citizens of Sangamon County had 
passed to his reward. 



^^>->£^t^^^9^^f<-*^ 




AJ. JAMES A. CONNOLLY, United 
States District Attorney for the Southern 
District of Illinois, stands among the fore- 
most members of the legal profession in 
this State. He was an officer in the late war, and won 
a distinguished record for personal bravery as 
a leader of men. As a prominent citizen of Spring- 
field we are pleased to present his portrait on the 
opposite page. 

JIaj. Connolly w.is born in Newark, N. J., March 
8, 1840, and is a son of William and Margaret 
(McGuire) Connollj'. When he was about ten 
years old his parents moved to Morrow County, 
Oiiio, and settled on a farm. Our subject laid the 
solid foundation of his education in the common 
schools and finished it at Selby Academy, Chester- 
ville, Ohio. He was ambitious to be a lawyer 
and for that purpose became a student at Mount 
Gilead, Ohio, where he pursued his studies earnestly 
until he was prepared to enter nyion the duties of 
his chosen vocation. He had previously while 
attending school kept books for a mercantile firm 
in order to pay his way and obtained his learning 
mainly through his own persistent efforts and great 
desire for knowledge. He was admitted to the bar 
in Ohio in 1859, and entered upon the practice of 
his profession with his old preceptor. Judge Dunn, 
of Mount Gilead, with wiiom he w.as associated one 
year. Wisely concluding that there w.is in this 
great State a larger field for usefulness, our subject 



208 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



came to Charleston and opened an office there in 
1860. 

The Major was a resident of that city when the 
war broke out, and in 1862 he threw aside his 
profession and offered his services to his country. 
He actively assisted in raising a company of which 
he was made Captain, and on the organization of 
the regiment as tlie One Hundred and Twcnty-tliird 
Illinois Infantry, he was elected Major. His regi- 
ment joined the Array of the Cumberland, and was 
active in all its campaigns till after the fall of 
Atlanta, when it was transferred to Sherman's army, 
and marched with him to the sea, and thence to 
Washington and took part in the Grand Review. 
The Major displayed fine soldierly qualities on 
every occasion calling for coolness, courage and 
daring, and he was accounted a very capable officer, 
his services receiving due recognition by his being 
brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel. He was mustered 
out July 1, 1865, and thus closed a career which 
had been alike honorable to himself and to his 
adopted State. 

Onr subject re-establislied himself in Charleston 
after the war and was engaged there till March, 
1876, when he was appointed United States District 
Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. He 
held that position till June, 1885, discharging its 
onerous duties with characteristic fidelity. He was 
then removed by President Cleveland, but was re- 
appointed by President Harrison July 1, 1889, and 
still holds the office. His legal attainments, sound 
judgment and executive capacitj' rarely qualify 
liim for this position and he is justly considered 
one of the best Federal officers in the State of 
Illinois. While attending to his public duties, the 
Major also carries on an extensive general law 
practice in connection with Mr. Mather with whom 
he formed a partnership in 1886. Maj. Connolly 
and Miss Mary Dunn, a sister of Judge Dunn, and 
a daughter of Jacob Dunn of Gambler, Ohio, were 
wedded February 9, 1863, and hare established here 
a home that is complete in its appointments and is 
attractive to their large circle of friends. 

Our subject's ability and fine qualifications for 
public life liave been duly recognized by his fellow- 
citizens. While he was a resident of Charleston, 
he was elected to the Legislature and served in the 



Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth General Assem- 
blies. His course as a legislator showed him to be 
.actuated only by the purest and most disinterested 
public spirit. He took an active part in the 
proceedings of his fellow lawmakers and was a 
member of the Judiciary, Railway, and Library 
Committees. In 1886 he made the run for Congress 
against Springer, carrying this and Morg.an County, 
but was beaten in the district by a majority of 
nine hundred, his popularity having reduced the 
usual vote against liis party from a majority of 
four thousand. He was again nominated for Con- 
gress in 1888, but refused to be a candidate. He 
is a member of the Masonic society, belongs to the 
Elks and to the Loyal Legion and is a Grand Army 
man. Religiously he and his wife belong to 
the First Presbyterian Church congregation, but 
are not members of the church, thougli generously 
supporting its various plans for the moral elevation 
of society. 

In Ma}' 1884 he was appointed Solicitor of the 
Treasury by President Arthur. and confirmed by the 
Senate, but he declined the appointment preferring 
to devote himself to his profession. In 1888 he 
was a candidate before the Republican .State Con- 
vention for Governor and received one hundred 
votes for the nomination, but was defeated, Gov. 
Fifer receiving the nomination. 







t,. RURY JONES. The agricultural element 
that has been so prominent in promoting 
the rise and growth of Sangamon County 
is finely represented bj- this gentleman, 
who is one of the wealthy farmers and stockmen of 
Ball Township, where he has a large and well-ap- 
pointed farm. For an account of the ancestry of 
our subject see the sketch *of his brother, A. J. 
Jones, on another page of this volume. 

Drur^' Jones was born in Ball Township, on sec- 
tion 9, whore his father first settled, January 12, 
1830. He was surrounded by pioneer influences 
during his boyhood and grew with the growth of 
the township. He early learned the rudiments of 
farming and under his father's instruction gained 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



209 



that thorough knowledge of the calling that has 
been so useful to hiiu in his a,fter eai-eer as a practi- 
cal agriculturist. His education was conducted in 
the rude log schoolhouses of the times, where his 
father had to pa}' a certain sum of money that his 
ciiildren might have the privilege of attending 
school. He remained in the parental home until 
his marriage in July, 1850, with his first wife, 
Amanda Porterfield, a native of Ball Township. 
Mrs. Jones died in 1854, leaving three children: 
James M., who was born in 1851 and died in his fa- 
ther's home in 1888; Robert P., born in 1852, died 
in 1859; Minerva J., who died at the age of nine 
months. 

In 1850 our subject bought seventy acres of 
l;ind on section 24, Ball Township, which formed 
the nucleus of his present extensive farm. With 
characteristic energy he immediately entered upon 
its improvement, and continually extended his 
operations as a stock-raiser and f.irmer until he be- 
came one of the most prosperous and well-to-do 
members of his class in this part of tiie county, 
meeting with more than ordinary success in his en- 
tirprises. Atone time he had about fourteen hun- 
lited acres of well-improved land, but has given a 
prut of his estate to his children and has only six 
iiunnred antl forty acres of land in his home farm, 
which is supplied witii all the latest improved labor- 
s.-iving farm machinery. It has ample and well- 
iirranged buildings, is finely situated within thirteen 
u.iles of Springfield, is well-watered by Brush 
Creek, is neatly fenced, and all the land is tillable 
except one hundred and seventy acres of timber. 
Mr. Jones is (juite a horseman, and has some ver}' 
flue specimens of tlie equine race. His well-kept 
catUe are of the Polled-Angus variety, and his 
swine are of tiie Poland breed. Besides raising 
considerable stock Mr. Jones is profitaljly engaged 
in feeding catlle and hogs. He is a prominent mem- 
lii'r of the Percheon Horse Company of Ball Town- 
ship. 

When a boy ilr. Jones sometimes helped drive 
hogs to St. Louis, making as many as six trips to 
that city, for which he received only fifty cents a 
•la}'. Once when he was seventeen years old his 
father sent him to that city with a load of wheat, 
which he sold for fifty cents a bushel, and returned 



home with groceries which he had taken in ex- 
change. When the farmers went to market in pio-^ 
neer times they used to camp on the way at night, 
carrying their provisions with them and feed for 
their teams. 

Our subject is accorded a high place in tiie citi- 
zenship of his native county, as he has been a potent 
factor in its growth, and possesses all the elements 
of a true and loyal citizen. He is one of the lead- 
ers of the Democracy in this section of the State 
and has frequently been a delegate to county con- 
ventions. He has been a School Director thirty 
years, and was a Highw.iy Commissioner one term, 
but resigned the office. 

Mr. Jones was married to his present estimable 
wife, formerly Susannah Meredith, in Ball Town- 
ship, September 11, 185(5. Their union has brought 
to them nine children, as follows: Amanda M., 
who married Charles McClure, a farmer in Cotton 
Hill Township, and has one child H^ttie; Charles 
C. a farmer in Cotton Hill Township, who is mar- 
ried and has three children, Helen M., Elma and 
Ira K. ; Davis A., a farmer in Ball Township, who 
is married and has one child, Drury C; William 
Edraond, is at home with his parents; Francis 
M., Is married and carries on farming near the 
old homestead in Ball Township; Sarah M., who 
died at the age of nine months; Maryetta died at 
home in January, 1890, at the age of eighteen 
years, and Samuel C, at the age of nine months; 
Emma M., remains at home with her parents. Mrs. 
Jones was born in Ball Township May 4, 1837, and 
was reared on a farm. Her education was obtained 
in the subscription schools of her younger days, and 
she had to walk four miles in order to reach the 
primitive little schoolhouse where she learned to 
read and write and gained a knowledge of other 
English branches. She is a woman of superior 
cliaracter, and a devoted and consistent Christian, 
belonging to the Regular Baptist Church at Salem. 

Mrs. Jones' father, Davis Meredith, was born 
near Middleton, Butler County, Ohio, June 14, 
1812. His father, Absalom Meredith was a native 
of Virginia, and a son of Davis Meredith, who was 
born in Wales, and coming to this country- in 
Colonial times, died in Virginia. Absalom was 
reared in the Ohl Dominion, and from there went 



210 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



to the western part of Pennsylvania, where he was 
married to Mary Royal, a native of that section of 
the country. Her father, Thomas Royal, was born 
in England, and when sixteen years of age came to 
America. He immediately joined the Continental 
army, and served faithfully until the close of the 
Revolution. He was wounded in the leg by a charge 
of shot which he carried to his grave. He settled 
in Pennsylvania, and from time to time moved west- 
ward, and after living in Butler and Miami Coun- 
ties, Ohio, he came to this State in 1829, and was a 
pioneer farmer of Ball Township until his death in 
1840. After his marriage Mrs. Jones' paternal 
grandfather became a pioneer of Butler County, 
Oiiio, and a few years later of Miami County, 
where he settled one mile east of Piqua. He served 
in the War of 1812. In the fall of 1829 he brought 
his family to Illinois, coming in a wagon drawn by 
a yoke of oxen and a horse. He arrived in this 
county, October 27, and soon entered land in 
Rochester Township, where he carried on farming 
until his death in 1842. He was a member of the 
Baptist Church. His wife survived him until 1844, 
when she too passed away, dying in Ball Township. 
She was the mother of six children, namely: 
Thomas, who was drowned in the Sacramento River, 
Cal.; Amy, Mrs. William Lawley, died in Ball 
Township; Davis, Mrs. Jones' father; William, a 
brave soldier in the late war, enlisting in 1861, and 
fighting until he was discharged on account of dis- 
ability, and is now passing his declining years iu 
the Soldiers' Home at Quincy; Sarah, Mrs. James 
Dillon of Mackinaw, III.; and Joseph, a farmer in 
Christian County. 

Davis Meredith was reared on the banks of the 
Miami River near Piqua, Ohio. When a boy he 
worked on a farm in that beautiful valley. He was 
also employed to some extent in the constructiou of 
the canal. When he was seventfcn 3'ears old he 
came to Illinois with his parents. In 1832 he en- 
listed in the Black Hawk War, and served two 
months on Rock River and Seymour's Creek. In 
1833 he went back to Ohio on foot, and worked 
there that summer, returning to Sangamon County 
in the fall, making the entire journey in nine and 
one-half days, walking an average of fifty miles a 
day. In 1834 Mr. Meredith went to Galena to 



work in the lead mines, walking to that place in five 
and one-half days. He engaged in raining some, 
but soon joined the surveying party of William S. 
Hamilton, a son of the noted Alexander Hamilton, 
and assisted him in his work all summer. He car- 
ried chain and .icted as axman six months, h(dping 
to survey a territory seventy-two miles by thirty- 
six miles in length and breadth. During that time 
the i)arty had numerous narrow escapes from the 
hostile Pottawatomie and Winnebago Indians, who 
were still allowed to hunt in that region. 

In the fall of 1834 Mr. Meredith returned to 
Sangamon County, making a pedestrian tour as 
usual, and often having to pick his way through 
the forests or across the prairies by the aid of his 
pocket compass. In the spring of 1835 he again 
went to Galena, and worked in the mines awhile, 
but as he was an adept in driving oxen he was given 
charge of five different teams used to haul the ore 
to the smelting furnace in White Oak Springs near 
the State line. He was given -$40 a month while 
thus emplo3'ed, the others getting only $20 a month. 
He was one of a party who tracked a bear from 
near Galena to Mineral Point, where it was killed 
and he olitained the hide. In the fall of that year 
he came to S|)ringfleld by stage, and as he desired 
to become settled in life and have a home of his 
own, he married in Woodside Township June 19, 
ltf36. taking Mary Newcomer as his wife. She 
was born near Columbus, Ohio, June 7, 1814, and 
w.as ten years old when she came to this county 
with her parents. Her father, Christopher New- 
comer, was a native of Lancaster County, Pa. He 
became a pioneer farmer of Franklin County, Ohio, 
where he resided until 1824, when he came to Illi- 
nois with four yoke of oxen and a w.agon. He 
settled in Woodside and was one of its wealthy 
farmers. His wife, Susan Sells, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Samuel Sells, who 
diet! in Franklin County, Ohio. .Susan was second 
cousin to the Sells Brothers, proprietors of the cir- 
cus known bj' their name. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer 
had thirteen children, five of whom grew to matur- 
ity: Mary; Charles, who died in White Springs; 
Daniel, deceased ; Jane and Armenia, both of whom 
died in 1844. 

In 1839 Mr. Meredith bought the place where he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



•211 



now lives on section 12, Ball Township. It com- 
prises one hunrlred and thirty acres of land, which 
he has given to his daughter Frances. lie met with 
more than usual prosperity as a farmer, and at one 
time owned over four hundred acres of land which 
he has divided among his children. He was a Ser- 
geant in the Black Hawk War, and is the only one 
of his company now left. He became Lieutenant 
in the State Militia, rose to the rank of Captain, 
and was finally commissioned Major under Gov. 
Reynolds. He was the first Postmaster of Cotton 
Hill Township, having the postofflce at his house 
until he resigned his position during the war. He 
is a true Republican in politics, and is popular and 
greatly resiiected in his community. He is the fa- 
ther of eight children : Susan ; Charles N., a grocer 
near Taylorsville, who was a member of the One 
Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, enlist- 
ing in 1862 and serving until the close of hostili- 
ties; Mary, Mrs. John R. Kincaid, of Cotton Hill 
Township; Sarah A., Mrs. L. R. Hedrick of Taylors- 
ville, where her husband is a grocer; Christopher 
C, a farmer of Cotton Hill Township; Luther O., a 
farmer in Cotton Hill Township; a child that died 
in infancy, and Frances L., wiio lives with her par- 
ents on the home farm. 



^^^i 



kOUIS L. DAPRON, Justice of the Peace of 
Springfield, is a descendant of the early 
French who lived for generations about 
Cahokia and were connected with the early history 
of the Si.ate. Some valuable claims are believed 
to belong to the family, but through lack of ability 
to trace genealogy they have been thus far foiled 
in maintaining them. 

Our subject was born in St. Clair Countj% III., 
September 8, 1832. lie is a son of Nicholas and 
Mary (Dashney) Dapron, who were of French ante- 
cedents and were among tlie early settlers in the 
vicinity of Cahokia, which was one of the oldest 
settlements in Illinois. Nicholas Dapron was a 
farmer, but for several years mined in the lead 
mines of Potosi, Grant County-, Wis., where his son 
Louis was reared, the family Laving moved to 



Potosi when he was three years of age. After a 
stay of eighteen years in that locality the parents 
of our subject returned to St. Clair County, and 
subsequentlj' to St. Louis, from whence they went 
to St. Charles County, Mo. 

Our subject was married in that State to Eliza- 
beth Pierce, a native of Missouri, their wedding 
taking place July 9, 1857. He resided in St. Louis 
eleven years and while there studied medicine and 
was graduated from McDowell College in the 
class of 1858. He practiced medicine in that city 
five and one-half years and then removed to Cen- 
tral Station, St. Clair Count^'^, III., where he re- 
mained until became to Springfield in 18G8. He 
did not establish himself in his profession here, but 
followed painting and carpentering, continuing 
thus occupied nearly twenty 3-ears. He was elected 
to his present office of Justice of the Peace in the 
month of May, 1889, and is discharging its duties 
intelligently, impartially and to the perfect satis- 
faction of all concerned. Mr. and Mrs. Dapron 
have been blessed in their wedded life by two chil- 
dren^Mary Agnes and Louis Isidor, both of whom 
are living in Springfield, where Louis is engaged as 
a tailor. Our subject's parents lived to a ripe old 
age and at length laid down the burden of life full 
of years, his fatlier dying in 1859 and his mother 
in 1867. 

Mr. Dapron is recognized as a thorough going 
man and a good citizen who has the interests of his 
community at heart. In all the relations of life 
that he has sustained toward others he has shown 
himself to be guided by sterling principles. In liis 
religious faith he is a true Catholic and politically 
has alwaj's stood stanchly b3' the Democratic party. 



AVID JOHNSTON is one of tlie prominent 
and well-known citizens of lUiopolis where 
he is engaged as a dealer in hardware and 
furniture and as an undertaker. He was born in 
1850 in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, his parents James 
and Mary (Rodgerson) Johnston were also natives 
of Scotland, and came of a sturdy yeomanry and 
of devout Presbyterian families. The father was 



212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



a stonemason and after coming to America in 1851 
with liis family lie was engaged as one of tlie early 
Iniilders of the old State House at Springfield. He 
was a man of rugged honesty and of much force of 
character, and his death in the month of June, 
1853 closed a career that was useful to his com- 
munity. His widow departed this life in 1871, and 
both are lying side by side in the family cemetery 
on John Johnston's estate near Barclay. 

Our subject was reared as a farmer and laid the 
foundation of his education in the common schools. 
He was a diligent student and applied himself to 
his books and in time became fitted for a teacher. 
He entered upon his career in that profession in the 
year 1870 and taught school very successfully in 
Sangamon and Logan Counties. He finally aban- 
doned teaching and for a time gave his attention 
to farming at which he was engaged till 1883, 
when he gave that up and coming to Illiopolis 
embarked in business as a hardware and furniture 
dealer and as an undertaker. He has from lime to 
time increased his business and now carries a 
v.Tluable stock worth between $5,000 and $7,000, 
and has his rooms well fitted up and neatly 
arranged. His undertaking establishment is one of 
the best equipped in this part of the count}', and no 
one in that line excels him in a reputation for 
promptness and reliability. 

Mr. Johnston was married in 1877 to Miss Eva 
F. Ford, second daughter of A. C Ford. Her 
family is one of the best in Sangamon Count}', and 
she was carefully trained and educated and under- 
stands well the art of making a cheerful, attractive 
home. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have two children 
— Ralph and Carl — who inherit the sturdiness of 
their Scotch ancestry. They have lost two children, 
their son Freddie and a daughter who died in in- 
fancy. 

Politically Mr. Johnston is a Democrat of the 
truest type and occupies a high position among 
his fellow Democrats. During the Cleveland ad- 
ministration he was appointed Postmaster and the 
present admirable postal advantages the town enjoys 
are due to his fidelity and devotion to the interest 
of his patrons. Mr. Johnston is a member of the 
Masonic order of which he is clerk, his connection 
■with Illiopolis Lodge, No. 521, having begun three 



years ago. He is a member of the village board of 
which he is now Treasurer and is considered one of 
the most zealous and progressive civic officials. He 
is one of the pillars of the Christian Church and 
has been foremost in its advancement. He has 
been a Deacon five years and is at present Elder, 
and no one is more faithful to the interests of the 
church or cause of religion in general than he. It 
is to such men that Illiopolis owes its high stand- 
ing and prosperity, as he is a man who has a high 
sense of honor and his integrity is beyond ques- 
tion. 



(^J^HOMAS J. NUCKOLLS, occupies an honor- 
f(^^\\ al>le position among the members of the 
^^^ bar of Sangamon Count}'. He is engaged 
in tlie practice of his profession at Auburn, his 
place of residence, and also in Springfield. Besides 
attending to his law Inisiness he is Notary Public 
and a dealer in real estate and acts as Collector. 

The father of our subject, C. D. Nuckolls, was 
born in Grayson County, Va., March 2, 1805. He 
was a son of James Nuckolls, who was of English 
descent and was born January 5, 1777, in Bote- 
tourt County, Va., and was a soldier in the Revo- 
lution. He was a farmer and mechanic and was en- 
gaged at his vocations in Grayson County, Va., 
where he was married to Janey Swift, a native of 
that county who was born March 2, 1781. Mr. 
Nuckolls l]ecame one of the early pioneers of Mad- 
ison County, in this State, where he located in 1818. 
In 1820 he came to Auburn Township, and was 
one of its earliest settlers. He accumulated a val- 
uable property and during his life was an extensive 
farmer. 

The father of our subject learned the various 
trades of a carpenter, cabinet-maker and wheel- 
wright, and was considered a very fine mechanic. 
In the early days of Springfield he was one of its 
leading business men and was there extensively en- 
gaged as a carpenter and builder. He bought a lot 
in that city for $12 and a few years later sold it to 
Sangamon County for $1,200 for a site for the 
present court house. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



213 



Mr. Nnckolls was a man of superior intelligence 
and was great!}' interosted in medicine, of which 
h» made a special study during his leisure hours. 
In 1855 he attended lectures at McDowell's Col- 
lege, St. Louis, Mo., was graduated from that 
institution in 185G and from tliat time until his 
deatli November 19, 1865, at the age of sixty-one 
years was actively engaged in practice. He was a 
man of means an<l owned a large farm of six Inm- 
dred acres of land in Auburn Townsliip. He was 
a Wliig in early life and after the formation of the 
Republican part}' was one of its sturdiest supporters. 
In him the Metliodist Episcopal Cliurch found an 
active member whose liberality greatly aided in its 
upbuilding. 

The mother of our suliject. Mary (Wilson) Nuck- 
olls, was born in Roanoke County, Tcnn., and was 
a daughter of Thomas Wilson, who was born in one 
of the |)ioneer homes of that State. He was a 
planter while he lived there hut owned no slaves. 
Preferring to live in a free State, in 1828 he came 
to what then formed a part of this countj', making 
the journey with team and wagon, and was one of 
the early settlers in what is now Clear Creek Town- 
ship, Christian County. He died soon after he set- 
tled there. The venerable mother of our subject 
is a welcome inmate of his household, and is now 
past seventy-eight j'ears of age, and is a faithful 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Eight 
children came of her marriage with Mr. Nuckolls 
of whom the following is recorded: Margaret Jane, 
who married R. W. Ricks and died in this county; 
Thomas J. ; James W.. who married and died in this 
county, leaving one child; John W., who is a mer- 
chant at Pawnee; George W., a physician at Tin- 
tah, Minn.; Mary E., Mrs. N. R. Lockridge, of 
Pawnee; Charles AV., a farmer in Auburn Town- 
ship; and Nancy A., who died at the age of six 
years. 

The gentleman of whom these notes are written 
was born in Auburn Township, December 6, 1834, 
and is a worthy representative of a sterling pioneer 
ancestry. His bo}'hood and youth were passed in 
a log house that was situated on the unbroken prai- 
ries in the edge of the timber. He was very young 
when he commenced to assist his father on the farm 
and he was only seven years old when he was in- 



trusted with the labor of plowing land, plowing 
with the old-fashioned moldboard plow drawn by 
oxen. His school advantages were such as were 
afforded to the boys of pioneer days. Education 
was then conducted in primitive log houses which 
were furnished with plank desks and slab seats 
and were attended by the boys mostly in the winter 
season. He was studious, fond of his books, and 
liked debating, thus early showing a gift that has 
been beneficial to him as a lawyer. He early dis- 
played a taste for the legal profession, and used to 
read law books and was interested in looking up 
law cases. He finally began to practice before the 
local courts and tried his first case when under 
seventeen years old in Ball Township under Squire 
Burtle. He used to attend court in Springfield, and 
while listening to such lawyers as Col. Baker, 
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, gained 
much knowledge of law. Our subject was then a 
boy, carrying water to the cradlers in the field, 
when he first saw the future President, Lincoln. 

When Mr. Nuckolls was eighteen years old his 
fellow-citizens who were watching his course with 
pride, had such confidence in his knowledge of the 
lavv that they put a good many cases in his hands 
and in one day he tried eight before Squire Burtle. 
He continued his studies at home and subsequently 
read with Geo. W. Murray two years and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in June, 1880. In 1881 he went 
to Arkansas and was in Judsonia White's law oltice 
and practiced with him one year. He had gone 
thither to try the climate, but as it did not agrte 
with his wife he returned to this county in 1882, 
and has since been engaged as before stated. He 
is a man of weight in his community, and is looked 
up to by all for the integrity of his character. 
He is connected with the Masonic fraternit}' and 
with the Royal Arch Masons here, and is iden- 
tified with the Council at Springfield. He be- 
longs to the Independent Order of Odd F'ellows, 
and the Modern Woodmen of America and was a 
member of the Grange. He was connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch and is liberal in 
his support "f all denominations. He is a stalwart 
Democrat, but departed from the traditions of his 
party to support Abraham Lincoln in his candidacy 
for the Presidency. He has been a delegate to 



214 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



County conventions and his' wisdom has'beenCof 
benefit to. his party. 

Mr. Nuckolls has also been, [[interested in the 
agriculture of his nalivcj^county and has [contrib- 
uted to 'advance it. He engaged first in farming 
and stock-raising on the old homestead in Auburn 
Township,] improving and operating it with his 
father. They were together when he sold out in 
1880. He used to ship stock'directly to St. Louis, 
Mo., and he has in his life driven stock to that city, 
making the long journey on foot and finding it hard 
work. In 1863 he went to New Orleans with two 
hundred cattle just after the blockade was raised. 
In pioneer limes when;he was a boy he used to be 
very fond of hunting, and has run down many a 
deer on the prairie and engaged in many a wolf 
hunt. 

Mr. Nuckolls was married in Springfield in 1871 
to Miss Martha A. Brnnk,[a native of Cotton Hill 
and a daughter of George Brunk. For her ances- 
tral history see sketch of M. F. Brunk, of Cotton 
Hill. Mrs. Nuckolls is a woman of superior tact 
and is highly regarded by her neighbors and 
friends. In her the Presbyterian Church finds one 
of its most valueil memljers. Mr. and ilrs. Nuck- 
olls have three children: Lillie J., aged nineteen 
years; Leona A., ten years "old ; and John Frank, 
seven years of age. Lillie J., a scholar of marked 
ability, is a graduate of the High School and for a 
year has been studying medicine at the' Woman's 
Medical College of Chicago, of which she is the 
youngest pupil in attendance. 



#^l<^ 



/^ HARLES M. WOOD. This county has few 
[1 more energetic or wide-awake men among 

^^>7 the 3'onnger members of its farming popu- 
lation than this gentleman. He is successfully 
engaged in farming and stock dealing in Fancy 
Creek Township, where he has a good farm and is 
held in high esteem as a man and a citizen. 

Mr. Wood is a Virginian by birth and was born 
in Albemarle County, October 22, 1860. His 
father, Sampson L. Wood, was also a native of Vir- 
ginia. But little is known of the genealogy of the 



family beyond the fact that the great-great-grand- 
father of our subject came from Ireland to this 
country, and settling in Virginia became quite a 
prominent citizen of Charlotteville, county seat of 
Albemarle Countj', where he built the first store. 
In his early life the father of our subject was a 
farmer, but during the war he engaged in trading 
and bought cattle and sold supplies for the armj'. 
After the close of the Rebellion he engaged in the 
mercantile business for several years at Free Union, 
Va., and there died in 1882 at the age of sixty- 
eight years. He was a prominent and influential 
citizen of his community and was very highly 
thought of by all who knew him. He was a man 
of sincere religious views and a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Martha 
Durrett, a native of Virginia and they had eight 
children, of whom seven are living. 

Charles Wood had but limited school advantages 
as there were no free schools in Virginia when he 
was young. He attended school in his early boy- 
hood days in an old log schoolhouse and had to sit 
all da3' long on an uncomfortable slab seat. At the 
age of eighteen years he left the scenes of his child- 
hood, ambitious to see something of the world and 
to find a broader field for his energies than was 
offered in his early home. Coming to Sangamon 
County he sought and found work by the month as 
a farm hand. He was employed by one man for 
six years and by another two years. He was faith- 
ful to his employers' interests and he wisely saved 
up his earnings that he might become more inde- 
pendent and while yet a farm laborer began trad- 
ing in stock, buying and selling, and in that way 
got a good start in life. He now owns a fine fai'ra 
of eighty acres which is under excellent tillage and 
is still quite extensively engaged in buying and 
shipping stock, and has already placed himself 
among the substantial men of the township. 

By his marriage February 20, 1884, to Miss Mat- 
tie Carpenter, daughter of a wealthy farmer of 
Fancy Creek Township, our subject secured the ac- 
tive co-operation of one who has been an important 
factor in bringing about his prosperity. In their 
cozy home three children have been born to them: 
Lulu B., Carroll C. and Herbert. 

Mr. AVood is a popular young man and stands 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



217 




high in the community. He has taken no unim- 
portant part in tlie public life of Fancy Creek 
Township, of^which he is now Collector, and he lias 
held the office of Assessor. That he has been 
elected to these offices in a township stronglj^ 
Republican, while he is an ardent Democrat, shows 
the confidence and esteem in which he is held. He 
belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a member 
of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. 



-4- ••®^^§•v•^• -9 



ON. NORMAN M. BROADWELL, cx- 
'^ Counlj' Judge, in the course of along prac- 
tice extending over a period of more than 
thirty-five years, has met with more than 
ordinary success in his profession and is regarded 
as one of the leading lawyers of Springfield. He 
has during this long period of time often been 
called from private life to assist in the administra- 
tion of public affairs and has filled various prom- 
inent civic ottices. 

The Judge is a native of Morgan County-, 111., 
wheic he was born August 1, 182.5. His parents 
were Baxter and Mary (Lindley) Broadwell, na- 
tives of New Jersey. They lived among the pio- 
neers of the Little Miami Valley in Ohio for 
several years, and came from there to Illinois in 
1818, and were among the first settlers of Morgan 
County. They came here by keel boat which was 
then the popular mode of travel, and after their ar- 
rival Mr. Broadwell took up land near Morgan 
City and opened a farm. His useful labors as a 
pioneer were brought to a close by his death in 
Morgan County in 1833. His widow did not long- 
survive him but died in 1837. To them were born 
seven children, of whom four are now living: 
Norman M. ; Louisa, wife of J. V. Swetting of 
Wisconsin; Miss Jane Broadwell, a resident of 
Springfield, and James M., of Burlington, Iowa, 
who at one time was part owner of the Hcmlceye. 

Our subject passed his boyhood days in Morgan 
and Scott Counties and obtained his education in 
the common schools. His first business was that of 
a bookseller in Jacksonville, which he continued 



only a year, abandoning-it to enter upon tiie study 
of law in tlie office of Lincoln & Herndon in 
Springfield in the year 1850. After a year's hard 
study directed by those noted men he was admitted 
to the bar witii a good standing and opened an 
office for the practice of his calling in Pekin, Taze- 
well County. He remained there until 18.54 when 
he established himself in his profession in this city 
and has since been in active practice here. 

During these years Judge Broadwell has had sev- 
eral partners, among whom were some of the most 
celebrated men of the Sangamon County Bar. He 
was at one time associated with Senator Shelby M. 
CuUom for about a year, ,ind was in partnership 
with Gen. McC'lernand six or eight years until the 
Hon. William M. Springer was admitted to the 
firm, with whom he continued five years. For the 
last few years he has been with Judge Gross. It is 
an interesting fact in the history of his practice that 
in the first case he tried in a court of record, 
Lincoln was the opposing counsel, and in the last 
case that the lamented President tried in this city 
our subject was his assistant. 

November 4, 1856, was the date of the marriage 
of our subject to Miss Virginia, daughter of Wash- 
ington and Ann lies, natives of Kentucky. Her 
parents came to Illinois in an early day of its set- 
tlement about 1826, and were among the pioneers 
of Sangamon County. Maj. lies, a brother of Mrs. 
Broadwell's father, located the city of Springfield 
and was one of the founders thereof. Mr. and 
Mrs. liroadwell live in one of the many pleasant 
homes for which Springfield is noted, and which is 
replete with substantial comfort. They are the 
parents of four chililren, namely: Annie, Virginia, 
Louisa, wife of Harris Hickox; and Stuart, a drug- 
gist in Springfield. 

Judge Broadwell is a man of mark in his com- 
munity, his standing as a citizen being second only 
to his liigh position as a law^'er, and both in public 
and in private life his bearing is irreproachable. 
Several important offices have been entrusted to his 
care and he has never failed to justify the confi- 
dence placed in him by the people. He w.as a mem- 
ber of the Legislature in 1861, and in 1862 was 
elected County Judge to fill the vacancy caused by 
the death of Judge Power. He held that office for 



218 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



four years and discharged its duties with character- 
istic (liouily, impartiality, and never-failing justice. 
In 18G7 his fellow-citizens placed him at the head 
of the municipal government as 3Iayor of Spring- 
field. His course in that high office so redounded 
to the benefit of the city and his administration of 
local affairs was so satisfactory, that he was re-elec- 
ted to the same position in 1869. Politically he 
stands with the Democrats, and socially he is a 
valued member of the ]\lasonic fraternity. 

A portrait of .Judge Broad well accompanies this 
biographical review. 



-^: 



iy 



HRISTIAN REICHERT, proprietor of one 
of the fine farms for which tliis county is 
^J famed, is a native of the German I^mpire 
and one of the men in whose coming to this country 
all who honor honest industry and good citizenship 
can rejoice. His career has been marked through- 
out with persistent and faithful efforts to advance 
his own interests and those for whom he worked, 
and he has been rewarded by the acquisition of a 
good property and a high reputation. 

The eyes of Mr. Reichert opened to the light of 
daj- in Wittenburg, Germany, January 6, 1825. 
During iiis boyhood he studied under the laws by 
whioli the Fatherland secures to all her sons and 
daughters some knowledge of the important 
branches of learning, and being studious and apt 
he acquired a practical understanding of the sub- 
jects taught. He began to till the soil when quite 
young and has made tliat his life work. When he 
was about thirt}- years of age he determined to 
seek his fortune in the land across the sea, of whose 
opportunities he had heard glowing accounts. 

Bidding adieu to home and friends, Mr. Reichert 
embarked, and landing at New York came on at 
once to Macoupin County, this State, where he 
worked as a farm hand for three years. During 
this period he carefully looked after his expendi- 
tures, hoarding his resources in order to buy land. 
A tract on section 36, Pawnee Township, this 
county, was selecteil as the scene of the future 
labors of Mr. Reichert and here he still pursues his 



steady course of industry and well doing. At pres- 
ent his landed estate consists of two hundred and 
eighty acres on which every needful and convenient 
structure has been built and every other means 
taken to make it a home of comfort as well as a 
place of financial worth. 

At Jerse3'ville, Jeisey C^ouuty, on February 2, 
1858, the marriage rites were solemnized between 
Mr. Reichert and Katharine Maurer, who was born 
in Wittenburg, Germany, October 31, 1832. Mrs. 
Reichert was thoroughly' acquainted with the house- 
wifely arts in which the women of her race are so 
generally proficient, and was a woman of affection- 
ate nature and Christian character. She was a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, in the faith of 
which she breathed her last .January 10, 1878. 

The record of the children born of the happy 
union is as follows: .John died October 30, 1881. 
leaving a widow whose maiden name was Mar}' Hen- 
dricks; Minnie died April 12, 1878, in the spring- 
time of life, when but seventeen years old; Charles 
\y. married Eva Leonard; Lucy M. is the wife of 
Joseph Clause; Paulina S., Edward H. and Emma 
C. are \'et unm.arried and caring for their father's 
comfort. They are developing the graces of char- 
acter that made their mother loved and are adding 
to the worth of the family name. 



-Er- 



AMES GLENN is an industrious man and a 
good citizen of Island Grove Township, 
where he occupies an honorable position 
among its farmers and stock-dealers. This 
young man is a natiTe of Ireland and born in County 
Fermanagti, March 12, 1858, and is a son of Will- 
iam an;l Jane Glenn, who were life-long residents 
of that part of the Emerald Isle. In very early 
manhood our subject decided to try life in America. 
He had heard much of what a beautiful country 
tliis is in certain respects as compared with poor 
old Ireland, and he detei-mined to breakaway from 
the loved ones, parents, brothers and sisters, to en- 
joy the blessings of living in a land whose people 
were not trodden down by the iron heel of oppres- 
sion. In pursuance of this plan he left his native 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



219 



shores in 1880, and crossed the waters to tlie United 
States. After landing here be made his way to this 
county where he had relatives who had left Ireland 
some time before he did. and he took up his abode 
near them in this section of the country. 

Mr. Glenn began the struggle of life here work- 
ing by the month, and being a strong, capable and 
industrious young man, lie was given the highest 
wages paid in those times, whieli was 820 per month. 
He was employed as a laborer for seven years and 
wisely saved up his earnings that he might become 
more independent. 

After coming to this country, our subject formed 
the acquaintance of Miss Mary Knepler and a warm 
friendship soon sprang up between them, wliich 
finally resulted in their marriage, their wedding 
being solemnized January 22, 1889. The young 
couple commenced life together on the old home- 
stead which had fallen to the wife by inheritance, 
it having formerly belonged to her father, who was 
one of tlie early settlers of the county and was a 
successful farmer here during iiis life. Here our 
subject and his wife have a happy, cozy home and 
are enjoying life together mutually, aiding each 
other in acquiring a competence. They are botli 
true members of the Catholic Church at New Ber- 
lin and are well liked by liieir neiglibf)rs and asso- 
ciates. Mr. Glenn displays much practical ability 
as a farmer, is keen and wide-awake in business 
transactions, and bids fair to become one of the 
solid men of the township. 

^^ ADWALADER W. SHIPLEY, a farmer and 
[((^.^ saddler of Chatham, is a prosperous and 
^^^ popular gentleman and one who appreciates 
in the highest manner the excellent results brought 
about by industrious habits and the exercise of 
good judgment in deciding the business transactions 
of life. More and more as the world grows older 
is the competition in every branch of trade in- 
creased and it is only those who putting tiieir hand 
to the wheel do not stop to look backward who suc- 
ceed in what they undertake. 

Our subject was born in Ireland, on the 20th of 



December, 1824, and passed his youth on a farm. 
He was the son of George and Elizabeth (Bailey) 
Shipley, both natives of the Emerald Isle. His 
father died when he was only about four years of 
age, and the widowed mother was left with the 
charge of eight small children. Consequently, our 
subject was compelled at an early age to make a ca- 
reer for himself, and when lifteen years old was em- 
ployed in the forwarding department of the Great 
Southern and Western Railway Company of Ire- 
land, where he worked for two years. At the ex- 
piration of that time he concluded to leave his 
native home and seek a new one in America, and 
putting his desire into effect, arrived in New York, 
June 1, 1850, after making the ocean voyage on 
the sailing vessel "Ship See," of the Black Ball line 
of ships. Immediately after reaching this country, 
he went to Philadelphia and there hired out to a 
gentleman named Woods to work on a farm, and 
after a short time he hired to John Gill, a banker of 
New Jersey and worked for him about two years. 

Mr. Shipley was married in November, 1850, to 
Miss Sarah IMcCullougli, also a native of Ireland. 
Four years later he moved west and located in 
Springfield. III., where he worked on the farm of Col. 
Allen for a year, and then worked at the depot of 
the Chicago and Alton Railroad for a year. Buy- 
ing forty acres of prairie land, he built a log house 
and commenced to farm for himself, and also rented 
the adjoining farm to his. He rented out his farm 
and in turn rented what was known as the Tha3cr 
farm near Chatham, which contained two hundred 
and forty acres of land. After making several 
changes he finally moved to Chatham where he and 
his wife now reside and he continues to take charge 
of his farm, but at the same time conducts a pros- 
perous business in tlie harness line; 

To Mr. and Mrs. Shipley were born twelve chil- 
dren, only three c>f whom are living at the present 
writing, viz: Rachel B., married John II. Pike and 
makes her home in Sedgwick County, Kan. ; Re- 
becca married John Cannon and resides in Chatham 
Township; Essie married George Cannon and lives 
in the same township. 

The subject of our sketch has by means of 
close application to work and industrious habits 
amassed a comfortable fortune and is at this writ- 



220 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ing exceedingly well situaterl in life. He and liis wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and he is a member'of the Farniers]^Mutual Benefit 
Association. In politics Mr. Shipley is a Prohibi- 
tionist, and is mucli interested in seeing the pre- 
vailing curse of the age put out of tiie reach of the 
youth of the country. 



Vf? OHN T. LEWIS, a farmer and banker of 
Chatliam, is the wori.hy subject of our 
present sketch. He holds the position of 
Casiiier of the banking house of Ben F. 
Caldwell it Co., at Chatjiam and he and his brother, 
E. V. Lewis, of Omaha, Neb., own two hundred 
acres of valuable land adjoining the village of 
Chatham, commonly known as "the Dr. Lewis 
farm." The latter was the father of our subject. 

Mr. Lewis was born Jul}' 10, 1819, in Chatham, 
and was reared on his father's farm and his father 
died when he was in his ninth year. He remained 
with his mother on the farm, receiving bis educa- 
tion at the district schools, and at the present dale 
enjoys an extensive reputation for his knowledge of 
general matters. In addition to his present posi- 
tion in the bank above mentioned he is one of 
the stockholders in this compan}', which is rec- 
ognized .as one of the strongest in the entire State 
of Illinois. He also manages the large farm before 
referred to. 

Our subject was united in marriage June 13, 
1878, to Miss Margaret H. Darneille, daughter of 
J. M. Darneille. Her father was one of the oldest 
settlers in Sangamon County, and a sketch of lier 
entire family is given at length in this Albi.m. To 
this marriage has been born four children, three of 
whom are living, viz: Addison H.. J. Donald and 
Vernon. Jesse T. is deceased. 

Our subject's father. Dr. John Lewis, was born 
in Farmington, Conn., where his ancestors were 
among the earliest settlers. lie came to Illinois in 
1831 and settled in Carlinville, where he practiced 
his profession most 'successfully for about ten 
years. At the expiration of that time he removed 
to Chatham where he remained until he died. Au- 



gust 5, 1858, much mourned by all who knew hira. 
He had read medicine in his native State and was 
a brilliant man. He was twice married. Ilis first 
wife was Miss Ruth A. Crampton and to that union 
was born one son, who graduated from Yale Col- 
lege, and died in Cedarville, Kan., in 1888, after a 
useful career. His second wife was Miss Sarah M. 
Thompson, who is a native of Massachusetts and 
is still living though quite advanced in years. This 
union was blessed with five children, three of whom 
are now living, viz: John T., who is the eldest; 
Maria L,, who married C. B. Johnson, M. D. and 
resides at Champaign, this State; and Edward V., 
who married Miss Florence Darneille and makesjhis 
home in Omaha, Neb. 

The subject of this sketch is a member of the 
Republican party and is much interested both in 
national and local political matters and is one of 
the most universally popular gentlemen in this sec- 
tion of the State. 



m 



"^Y^OHN GROSS is successfully pursuing farm- 
ing on the fertile soil of Auburn Township, 
and his skill and thorough practical knowl- 
edge of his calling have been potent factors 
in producing the present solid prosperity of this lo- 
cality. He was born in Switzerland, December 29, 
1825, and when he was about seven years old he 
left the home of his birth and came with his parents 
to this country. They located in Tuscarawas 
County, Ohio. When he was about fifteen years 
old he began to clerk in a country store, and was 
thus engaged for nearly twenty \ea.rs in the county 
mentioned. Then, tiring of his sedentary employ- 
ment and desiring a more active life, he turned his 
attention to farming and with his brother bought a 
farm there. The brothers continued together about 
two years and then our subject sold his interest in 
the farm to his brother and the two ensuing years 
was variously engaged. 

In the spring of 1865 Mr. Gross went to Iowa, 
and after siiending a few months in that State and 
staying awhile in Missouri came to Sangamon 
County in the fall of the same 3'ear and since that 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



221 



date has beeu a resident of Auburn Township. In 
1867 he bought the farm upon whluli he now lives. 
Its one hundred and sixty acres have been jilaced 
under excellent cultivation and the place is in 
everj' way well improved, supplied with neat build- 
ings and other substantial evidences of thrifty and 
able management so that it forms one of the most 
desirable pieces of property in the neighborhood. 

Mr. Gross was first married in Coshocton County, 
Ohio, October 14, 1860, to Maria R. McM.ath. She 
bore him one child who died in infancy. Mrs. 
Gross died after a short but happy wedded life 
December 20, 1862. Our subject's marriage to his 
present estim.able wife was consummated in Tuscara- 
was County, February 9, 1871, and its felicity has 
been enhanced by the birth of two children — 
Charles M. and Livinia M. Mrs. Gross is a native 
of Belmont County, Ohio, where she was born May 
31, 1832. 

Since coming to Sangamon County Mr. Gross 
has given his entire attention to farming, and as 
we have seen, has done well and is classed among 
the most substantial members of his calling in the 
township, lie has been a School Director and in 
that capacity has served the public well. He takes 
an intelligent view of politics and gives his sup- 
port to the Democratic party. He and his wife 
are among the influential members of the Metho- 
dist Episcoi)al Church. They are very pleasant, 
hospitable people, kindly and charitable in their 
dealings with others, and have many warm friends. 



^(_^ ENRY SCHLANGE. It will be unneces- 
sary to inform any German of this' county 
or any reader of the German press that this 
)J gentleman is editor and proprietor of the 
Staats Wochenblatl, of Springfield. This is the only 
German paper published in the county and its cir- 
culation is not confined thereto, but includes all 
Central Illinois. The sheet has been -published as 
a weekly, but preparations are now being made to 
send out a daily edition, which will probably be 
done early in the coming year. The journal is 
neatlj- printed, discrimination is displayed in the 




news columns and those devoted to general read- 
ing, while the editorial work is seen at a glance to 
be under the control of a man who keejis himself 
well informed regarding matters of public moment 
and speaks readily and to the point regarding 
them. 

Mr. Schlange was born in Hanover, German3^ 
November 16, 1844. As soon as he was sufHciently 
advanced, he entered the Jacobson Institute, where 
he remained until he was sixteen years of age. He 
then, in accordance with the law of the land en- 
tered the army, in which he passed through the va- 
rious grades of promotion from the rank of a jirivate 
to that of Assistant Quartermaster. In 1865 he 
came alone to America, landing at New York, and 
a few da3'S later making his w.ay to Springfield, III., 
where he arrived January 2, 1866. 

Here Mr. Schlange learned the trade of a cigar- 
maker, at which he worked for some time, and 
afterward going into the tobacco business for him- 
self. Upon abandoning that occupation he en- 
gaged in a grocery store a year and a half, after 
which he est.ablished the Wochenblati. The first 
issue was placed in the hands of the public Decem- 
ber 21, 1878, and from that time until December 
1881, it was under the management of our subject. 
When the journal was founded Mr. Schlange 
thought he saw a good opportunity and the result 
exceeded his most sanguine expectations. 

After publishing the sheet three years Mr. 
Schlange sold out to A. Wulff, and re-engaged in 
the tobacco business. A year later he remove<l to 
Pierre, Dak., where he continued the same busi- 
ness, also investing in real estate and pre-empting 
a quarter section of land. For a time he carried 
on a restaurant there. In November, 1883, he re- 
turned to Springfield where he was variously en- 
gaged until March, 1885, when he bought back his 
old publication. Since that time he has retained 
his connection as editor and publisher, adding to 
the circulation and consequent power of the 
Wochenblati from year to year. 

On the 25th of February, 1868, in Lincoln, Mr. 
Schlange and Miss Anna Ahrens were united in 
marriage. The bride was born ia Germany, 
brought to this country when quite young, and ed- 
ucated in the schools of Springfield. She has 



^22 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



borne her liusband two children — August H. and 
Lena T. Mr. Schlange possesses the social nature 
characteristic of his countryraen and is identified 
witii a number of organizations of a friendly and 
benevolent character. He is an Odd Fellow, a 
Turner, a Knight of Maccabees and is also identified 
with the I'urn Verein and the German Manner- 
chor. In [)olilies he is a Democrat. He and his 
wife are hjc^ived upon with respect and have made 
many friends during their residence in t'jis city. 



z^^ 




?]EORGE B. BOYD. The mature years of 
this gentleman have been devoted almost 
^^>Ji entirely to the duties and labors pertaining 
to the calling of a farmer, and he has acquired a 
knowledge of times and seasons, means and methods, 
that make him a source of information to others less 
favored by nature or less observing. He owns 
and occupies a pleasant and remunerative tract of 
land in Cotton Hill Township and there pursues the 
even tenor of his way, gaining wordly goods and 
enjoying the comforts of a happy home. 

.lacob Boyd, the venerable father of our subject, 
is one of the oldest s-^ttlers now living in Cotton 
Hill Township, which has been his home for nearly 
half a century. He was born in Franklin County, 
Ohio, October 30, 1807, and was but thirteen years 
old when he accompanied his parents, John and 
Susan (Hiner) Boyd, to this county. The grand- 
father of our subject died in Woodside and the 
grandmother in Cotton Hill Township, and in these 
townships Jacob Boyd grew to manhood. In the 
last named his marriage took place September ], 
1833, and with the exception of a short time spent 
in Rochester Township, it has been his place of 
abode. His aged wife still enjoys with him the 
devotion of their familj', the esteem of many 
friends and the pleasant associations amid which 
they have grown old together. They celebrated 
the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding several 
years since, on which occasion two hundred guests 
assembled to do honor to an exceptionall}' long and 
happy married life. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 



of Rebecca Royal and was born in the same county 
of the Buckeye State in which her husband opened 
his eyes to the light. Her natal day was July 30, 
1812, and her parents, Thomas and Rebecca (5Iat- 
thew) Royal, the former of whom died at the old 
home and the latter in Ball Township, this county, 
whither she had removed. To Jacob and Rebecca 
Boyd nine children were born, of whom we note 
the following: John T. died in 1874, and William H. 
in 1885; George B. is the next in order of l)irth; 
Mary E. is the wife of Alonzo Sparks, now of 
Girard, Kan.; Susan is the wife of Harve3' Alexan- 
der; Oliver is in California; Sarah J. married Elijah 
D. Lawley and is now a widow; Davis 0. resides in 
Rochester Township; Vincent C. died when but 
seventeen years old. 

The gentleman whose name introduces these par- 
agraphs was born in Rochester Township December 
25, 1830, and grew to manhood in that and Cotton 
Hill Townships. Under the care of his Christian 
parents he early learned by what principles his life 
should be governed and in school and at home gath- 
ered knowledge of importance, especially such as 
pertained to the calling which he chose. He resided 
in Christian County seven years, but with that ex- 
ception and the months given to his country's serv- 
ice, he has made his home in Cotton Hill Township 
since early boyhood. The farm he now occupies 
consists of one hundred and fourteen acres of fer- 
tile land and its cultivation proves both pleasant 
and profitable. 

In the summer of 1862 Mr. Boyd entered the 
Union Army, being enrolled August 11 in Com- 
pany F, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois In- 
fantry, in which he fought for three years. The 
prominent engagements in which he took part were 
the siege of Vicksburg and of Jackson, the battles 
of Guntown, Tupelo, Nashville, Ft. Blakeley and 
Spanish Fort. In addition to these strifes on bloody 
fields, he bore the part of an obedient, valiant sol- 
dier in the camp duties and toils of campaign life 
wherever his regiment was sent, and returned to 
his home when mustered out with an honorable 
record. 

The sterling traits of character possessed by Miss 
Harriet B. Williams of Cotton Hill Township, won 
the deep regard of Mr. Boyd, and his wooing liav- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ass 



ing proved successful the young couple were 
united in marriage January 31, 1867. Mrs. Boyd 
was born in tlie townsliip in wliicli she still lives, 
July 17, 1847. Siic has borne lier liusband five 
children whose record is as follows: Clarence E. 
was born October 24, 1868; Susan R., July 9, 1873; 
Pliebe C, July 25, 1875; George R., October 6, 
1877; Mary A., August 1, 1882. 

Mr. Boyd has served as Scliool Director and 
brouglit to bear upon the duties of the oHice .an 
earnest desire to promote the good of the rising 
generation and add to tlic efficiency of the schools. 
His political affiliation is with the Keiiublican ele- 
ment. He belongs to A. J. AVebber Post, G. A. R., 
at Pawnee, and with his comrades lives over the 
scenes of army life, and fights again the old battles. 
He and his honored wife belong to the Christian 
Church, in which his parents have held member- 
ship for many 3'ears. The hosts of friends whom 
they have made will be pleased to see this sketch, 
brief though it be, of George Boj'd, his family and 
revered parents. 



(i IfelLLIAM TARLETON BRIDGES is a tal. 
\/iJi Guted young physician who is practicing 
V^^ his profession in lUiopolis with marked 
success. He is a native of Faj'ette County, this 
.State, where he was born March 21, 1860. He is 
a son of J. I. and Sarah J. (Sturgeon) Bridges, na- 
tives respectively of Louisville, Ky., and Trafalgar, 
Ind. They are now living in Illinois whither the 
fatlier came in 1850, and has since been identified 
with its farming interests. 

Our subject was born and reared on a farm. He 
first attended the jHiblie schools and then pursued 
a cour.se of stud^- at the Valparaiso Normal School, 
Indiana. After leaving that institution he began 
teaching in Payette County, afterward teaching in 
Montgomery County, and continuing in that pro- 
fession four years. He was ambitious to fit himself 
to be a pli^'sician, and at the expiration of that time 
he began the study of medicine under the tutelage 
of Dr. \V. P. Gordon, of Carlisle, 111. On the com- 
pletion of a student's course with that physician lie 



entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, 
from which he was graduated in the spring of 1888, 
of his class of eighty-three members, eighty stu- 
dents receiving diplomas. 

Thus launched on his professional career the 
Doctor entered upon the practice of medicine at 
Walnut Hill, III. A short time afterw.ard he went 
to Aviston and fourteen mouths later came to lUi- 
opolis. He opened an office here and already has 
the prospect of an excellent practice, as he is 
known to be a man well learned in his profession 
and of broad literary culture who is well fitted by 
nature for his calling, he being careful, studious 
and conscientious. He is popular .among society 
people and is highly regarded in religious circles. 
When but seventeen years of age he joined the 
Ba[)tist Church and has ever since been a consistent 
member thereof. 



f/OSEPH C. BRUNK is classed among the 
most energetic and capable of the farmers 
and stock-raisers of the [iresent generation 
who are aiding in carrying forward the great 
agricultural interests of their native county. He 
owns land in Rochester and Cotton Hill Townsliips 
but rents the place on which he resides on section 
10, Woodside Townshiii, where he is carrying on 
his operations with the most gratifying results. 

Mr. Brunk is a son of George and Emily (Tal- 
botl) Brunk. For parental history of our subject 
see sketch of Mrs. Emily English. Our subject 
is the youngest of the family. He was born in Cot- 
ton Hill Township, July 19, 1864. The early years 
of his life were passed in the place of his birth till 
he attained the age of ten years and from that time 
he lived in Woodside Township, where he grew to 
niinihood. He gained the preliminaries of his edu- 
cation in the local common schools and at Shurtleff 
College, at Alton, III. He finally became a stu- 
dent in Illinois College at Jacksonville, where 
he pursued a thorough course of study. Thus well 
equipped for life's work, after leaving college he 
selected the calling of a farmer and has since indus- 
triously engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns 



224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



two hundred and thirty-five acres of fine farming 
land in Rochester and Cotton Hill Townships, but 
as before mentioned, is renting the farm on which 
he resides in Woodside Township. Possessing a 
clear, cool he.ad, a mind well trained and endowed 
with cnerg3' and good capacity- for labor, he is do- 
ing well from a financial standpoint and his pros- 
perity is assured. As a true citizen should be, he 
is interested in politics and is a good Democrat. 

Mr. lirunk and Miss Minnie A. Husband were 
united in marriage September 5, 1888, the cere- 
mony tliat made them one being i)erforiued at 
the residence of the bride's father in Woodside 
Township. Mrs. Brunk is a daughter of J. Q. A. 
and Ann (Barrow) Husband, of whom a sketch 
ai)pears on another page of this work. She was 
born on the old homestead in Woodside Township, 
December 17, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Brunk have 
continued to live in Woodside Township since their 
marriage. They have been happy in their wedded 
life, their only sorrow being in the death of their 
little son Frank C, who died at the age of six 
months. 



-I- 



•^UDGE JAMES A. CREIGHTON. One of 
the conspicuous figures in the legal ranks in 
Springfield is the gentleman above named. 
Although his residence does not extend over 
so long a period as that of some lawyers of note, it 
has been sufficient to show to the people the keen- 
ness of his mind, the depth of his legal knowledge 
and zeal. In June, 1885, he was elected Judge of 
the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Illinois and has held 
the office continuously since that time. On the 
bencli he is calm, dispassionate, careful in consider- 
ation of all tliat bears upon his decisions, and gives 
no uncertain tone to his conclusions. 

'I'he natal day of Ju<lge Creighton was March 
7, 1846, and his birthplace White County. He was 
a lad seven years old when his parents removed to 
Wayne County and there he lived on a farm until 
grown to manhood. He attended tiic common 
schools, then the graded school in Fairfield one 
year, and still later jjursued his studies in the 
Southern Illinois College, Salem, from which insti- 



tution he was graduated in 1868 at the age of 
twenty-two years, with the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts. Adopting teaching as a temporary occupa- 
tion while "pursuing the study of the law, Mr. 
Creighton was Principal of the public school at 
Gray ville one year and of that at Fairfield an equal 
length of time. 

During this period, Mr. Creighton was reading 
law and in June, 1870, he was admitted to the bar 
by the Supreme Court. He opened aii oflfice in 
Fairfield and traveled a portion of the adjoining 
circuits. May 1, 1877, he removed to Springfield, 
forming a partnership with the Hon. Alfred Oren- 
dorff, of this city. This connection continued 
until our subject was elected to the honorable posi- 
tion he now occupies. Mr. Creighton has given 
close attention to his professional duties, and re- 
cently to those of official life, continuing the habit 
of study formed in youth and necessar}' to the 
proper remembrance of the precedents established 
under the great principles of law and equity. 

The estimable lady who has charge of the house- 
hold affairs in the dwelling of Judge Creighton 
bore the maiden name of Mary C. Newman and 
bi!came his wife in Fairfield January 1, 1871. She 
is a daughter of John T. and Elizabeth Orrilla 
(Thrall) Newman, from whom she received loving 
and wise care. To Mr. and Mrs. Creighton four 
children have come — Ada, Edna, Eva and John 
Thrall. None who know the |)arents will doubt 
that the cliildren are receiving every possible ad- 
vantage of education and culture, and being pre- 
pared to take their places as honored and useful 
members of the community. 

The father of Judge Creighton was born in 
While County in 1821 and christened John M. 
Mary A. Crews, vvho became his wife, was born in 
Wayne County in 1827, and our subject is therefore 
among the oldest if not the oldest citizen of the 
Slate, whose parents were both born herein. The 
parental family includes Jacob K., an attorney in 
Fairfield; Joseph C, State's Attorney of Christian 
County; Charles E., a Methodist minister; Milton, 
a lawyer; John and Thomas, farmers in Wayne 
County; and Martha J., wife of Dr. Borah, a physi- 
cian and planter of Baldwin, La. Jacob is a promi- 
nent poliliriau and during the last campaign was 




•T. 

.'.,i!t 



e.^f<A^^C//a^/i>^' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



227 



c-a i.idate on the Democratic ticket for Attornej'- 
f 11 ral of the State. 

udge Creigbton is rlescended from Southern 
niilies and in tlie paternal line traces his unceslr^- 
to Scotland, although his progenitors lived for 
Teneralions in Ireland prior to coining to tiiis 
try. Grandfather Joseph Creigbton was born 
juth Carolina and came to this State in 1816, 
' .aling in White County. He was the son of John 
Cieighton, who came from Ireland with bis wife, 
bringing some means and becoming a planter in 
Dover District, sixty miles from Charleston. 
Grandfather James Crews was a native of Virginia 
and came to this State 1817, locating in what is 
now Wayne Countj'. Both the grandfathers of 
our subject were farmers and preachers in the 
Methodist Episcoiial Church. John Creigbton 
reared eight sons, six of whom with the most of 
their descendants remained in the .Southern States, 
the others being scattered in liie North and West. 
While living in Fairfield, Wayne County, Judge 
Creigbton was City Attorney and member of the 
City Board of Trustees and County Board of Su- 
pervisors. In this county, prior to his election as 
Judge he served one term as member of the Board 
of Supervisors and was Chairman of the Finance 
Committee. In politics Judge Creigbton adheres 
to the principles of Democracy and has served the 
party interests as Chairman of the County Central 
Committee for two years in succession. He has 
not cared to devote much time to politics but is 
always on hand to cast his vote for the candidates 
in whose hands be believes the welfare of the land 
will be safe. Judge Creigbton belongs to the Be- 
I evolent and Protective Order of Elks, and to St. 
Paul's Lodge, No. 500, F. & A. M., in this city. 
His church membership is in the Methodist Epis- 
copal denomination and bis standing in the society 
is assured. 

.. OCX? 

\%^. ENRY WOHLGEMUTH, M. D. In pre- 
|i senting the sketch of Dr. Wohlgemuth to 
_^ the readers of the Album we recall the life 
l^P work of one of Spiingfield's most promi- 
nent citizens. The work which he has done for the 
city and its interests will never be forgotten, for 



many of the public improvements of the place 
stand as monuments to his progressive and enter- 
jirising spirit. A portrait of the Doctor will also 
be noticed on the opposite page. 

The Doctor is a native of Hanover, Germany, 
born May 22, 1822, and a son of Frederick and 
Maria (Boehne) Wohlgemuth. His father was an 
industrious man of limited means, who carried on 
a livery business with varied success in bis native 
land. He died in the prime of life at the age of 
forty-two years, highl3- respected by all who knew 
bim. The advantages which our subject received 
in his j'outh were very meager but be eagerl3' 
grasped every opportunity for advancement at bis 
command and as the result of a determined will, 
energy and commendable ambition he has risen to 
the high rank which he to-daj- occupies. At the 
age of sixteen he conceived the idea of making 
the practice of medicine bis life work and from 
that time forward until he had fitted himself for 
the profession be made everything subordinate to 
that one idea. 

In 184.5, without informing bim, bis mother, 
brother and two sisters decided to emigrate to 
America, but learning of their intentions the Doc- 
tor, although hardly prepared to do so, determined 
tf> attend them and try his fortune in the New 
World. Taking passage on a sailing vessel in the 
harbor of Bremerbaven in September, 184.5, he 
landed in the eit3' of New Orleans in the month of 
November, having spent sixty-two daj's upon the 
brin3- deep. Having friends in Illinois he deter- 
mined to seek a location in this State and made bis 
way to Beardstovvn. His mother and brother 
Christian, however, returned to St. Louis, Mo., 
where the3' made their home. Christian died of 
the cholera in 1849 and the death of Mrs. Wohl- 
gemuth occurred in 1858. The two sisters mar- 
ried and went to homes of their own. 

The Doctor made his wa3' to the Capital City, 
laboring under great disadvantages. Poor in health 
and purse and unacquainted with either the lan- 
guage or the wa3's of the people, the obstacles which 
he had to overcome were man3- but perseverance 
and honesty of purpose enabled him to surmount 
all difficulties. He opened an office in 1846 and 
devoted himself assiduousl3' to bis profession, rap- 



228 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



idly acquired tlie language and laid llie foundation 
for an extensive and luci'alive practice. For many 
years, owing to bad roads, worse fords and many 
other drawbacks, bis was a hard lot, but no call 
whether from rich or poor was ever neglected, 
though often attended to with great personal incon- 
venience. In 1854 the degree of iNI. D. w.as con- 
ferred upon him b}- the Eclectic Medical Institute 
of Cincinnati, Ohio. A constantly increasing prac- 
tice has now won for him a handsome competence 
and not to know Dr. Wohlgemuth almost argues 
oneself unknown. 

In August, 1849, the Doctor was joined in wed- 
lock with Mary Elizabeth Wolgamot, a native of 
Ilagerstown, Md., who came with her parents to 
Springfleld when eleven years of age. To them 
were born six childj-cn, but two died in infancy. 

Generous and public-spirited, Dr. Wohlgemuth 
has contributed largely to the interests and growth 
of Springfield and apart from his practice has held 
many positions of confidence and public trust. In 
1856 he was made City Physician, which office he 
continued to fill until it was connected with that of 
Count}' Physician and in that latter capacity he 
served from 1861 until 1863. He was elected 
Alderman in 1863 and during his three years' term 
was chairman of several important committees. One 
year he was a member of the City Board of Educa- 
tion and in 1865 was appointed a Commissioner 
of Water Works. He rendered valuable assistance 
to the city in the discharge of that office and to 
him may be given much of the credit for the splen- 
did works which the city to-day has. A short time 
since an additional one thousand feet of gallery- 
was put in, which in connfction with the one 
thousand feet before laid furnishes an abundant 
supply of pure water. 

In an article concerning the Water Works, one 
of the city papers .says: "Dr. Wohlgemuth is the 
only surviving member of the Board of Commis- 
sioners who had charge of the building and con- 
struction of the Water Works. The}^ investigated 
and measured every foot of the Sangamon River 
from Clear Lake down to where the works now 
stand and came to the conclusion that the place 
selected was the only natural basin for an abundant 
supply of water. The wisdom of their location of 



the pumping works where tliey stand now seems to 
be verified." The Doctor has also for eleven years 
been connected with the Board having charge of 
Oak Ridge Cemetery and has devoted much time 
to the beautifying and adornment of this city of 
the dead. He became connected with its board of 
managers about 18G4 and for fifteen years has 
been its faithful President. Oak Ridge Cemetery 
is the pride of the city and to the honest and 
earnest endeavors of the Doctor the greatest credit 
is due. His connection with the board is not one 
which has brought him pecuniary benefit, but in 
common with the other members he has long and 
faith full}' devoted his time to further the best in- 
terests of the trust imposed in him without reward, 
satisfied that he has done his dut}' and believing 
that the lot owners, friends and other bereaved ones 
will appreciate what has been done; hoping, too, 
that the grounds will ever be preserved and kept 
sacred to the end of time. 

The Doctor is also an honored member and 
earnest worker in the Masonic order, having be- 
longed to Springfield Lodge, No. 4, A. F. <fc A. M., 
for more than thirt}' years or since its organization 
in 1860, and Chapter and Commandery, No. 6, 
K. T. He is now Past Commander of Elwood 
Commandery. Upon the organization of the State 
Medical Society he was elected President and in 
the National Eclectic Medical Association he holds 
membership. In political sentiment he is a sup- 
porter of the Democracy. 

EREDITH COOPER, Superintendent of 
Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield. While 
the beautiful city of Springfield has much 
to be proud of and many places of exceed- 
ing beauty, besides being the capital of one of the 
finest States in the Union, there are few places so 
dear to the mass of citizens as is Oak Ridge Ceme- 
tery, the home of the dead. That is a pretty old 
custom of calling the cemetery "God's acre," and it 
is somehow a comfort to feel the assurance that this 
small phrase conveys the fact that God watches 
particularly over the shaded and beautiful ground 




fj^ 



^m^ 




/? 



/ua 



■( i^ ^^-^jM^-A^ 



PORTRAIT AND BliDGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



229 



where rest the sleepers. How more than deserv- 
ing of honor must be the man to whom the care of 
this eaored spot is intrusted, and how greatly' miist 
he be respected befor« such a charge is put into his 
hands. Mr. Cooper has held the office of Superin- 
tendent of this beautiful cemetery since 188G, and 
during that long time has grown more and more in 
favor with tliose to whom he owes his appoint- 
ment. 

Our subject was born September 11, 1836, in 
what is now known as Williams Township. His 
father made a home from new land that he took up, 
and upon this estate our subject passed his jouth, 
attending the countr}- schools. Being the young- 
est child born to his parents, he remained at home 
with them, and when death had robbed him of his 
father, November 1, 1872. he took charge of the 
home farm and continued to live with his mother 
up to the time of her death, in August, 1877. After 
Settling up his father's estate, Mr. Cooper was 
elected Superintendent of the Sangamon County 
County House at the election held in 1877, and 
tiiok charge of his new responsibilities, January 1, 
1878. For eight years he was re-elected and tinajly 
re.>igned to accept the position that he now holds. 
lie was elected Tax Collector at one time, and was 
many times called upon to fill offices of trust. 

Tlie subject of our sketch married Miss Mary 
Kmma Watson, of Springfield, March 18, 1875. 
She is a daughter of William Watson, who came 
from England many years .ago and settled near 
Springfield. Miss Watson's birth took place in 
1^,50, and she received an excellent education in 
her native State, continuing to reside there up to 
the (late of her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooper 
has been born one child, Anna L. 

Socially, ^Ir. Cooper is a member of the secret 
order of Modern Woodmen of America, and stands 
higli throughout the community in which he re- 
sides. Oak Ridge Cemetery, of which he has en- 
tire control, was first purchased in the month of 
.hino, 18j5, and in Ma^-, 18.56, a second purchase 
was made in all, twenty-eight and one-half acres. 
The land at the time of purchase was rough and 
heavily wooded. The Cit^' Council deemed it ad- 
visable to obtain such charter amendments to duly 
incorporate and set aside Oak Ridge Cemeter}- as a 



burial place for all time to come, and its manage- 
ment was vested in a Board of Managers, wljioh are 
appointed by the council from time to time. The 
first burial was made in 1858, and a record kept, 
and on May 24, 1860, the grounds were with solemn 
and impressive ceremonies dedicated to the dead 
as Oak Ridge Cemetery. Mere land has been added 
from time to time, the enclosure now embracing one 
hundred and ten acres in all. The number of dead 
resting there, January 1, 1889, was eighty thousand 
six hundred and sixty-one, including removals 
from Hutchinson Cemetery and elsewhere. Mr. 
Cooper was appointed Superintendent by the Board 
of Managers in 1886, and much credit is due him 
for his faithful and honest efforts to make this place 
a fitting spot for the dead, the pride of the cit3'. 



■•-^•i-j-ivi- 



^OHN F. ARMSTRONG. The city of Spring- 
field and the country immediately adjacent 
affords a field of labor for man}' professional 
men, and gives abundant opportunity for 
the young men of talent to display their ability and 
rise on the ladder of fame. Among the representa- 
tives of the legal profession now located here, is 
John F. Armstrong, a rising member of the bar, 
who in a few short years has secured a firm stand- 
ing. He possesses the mental ability, legal train- 
ing and powers of speech which enable him to 
make a good shovving in court and council room, 
and is personally honorable, just, and straightfor- 
ward. 

Mr. Armstrong is descended from old families of 
Virginia and Kentucky, his parents being Thomas 
I), and Rebecca J. (Woosley) Armstrong. His 
father was born in ^'irginia April 4, 1822, went to 
West Liberty, Ohio, with his parents in 1827, and 
grew to maturity on a farm there. He came to this 
count}- in his early manhood, and married the 
daughter of Thomas Woosley, one of the early set- 
tlers who had come hither from Christian Cout.ty, 
Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong settled on a farm 
in the extreme western part of Christian County, 
this State, and are still occupying the land which 



230 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



they took up as raw prairie. Mr. Armstrong has 
been one of the most prominent farmers of the 
county, respected for his energy and uprightness. 
He and his good wife have reared n, family of five 
sons, all still living in Christi.iu County except our 
subject. 

The sulject of this notice opened bis eyes to the 
lighten the home farm November 13, 1859. He 
received his education in the common schools of 
the count}', the Taylorville High School and the 
University at Normal. The bent of his mind in- 
clined him to the study of the law, and he began his 
professional reading in KSpringfield with Joseph M. 
Grout, continuing it with the firm of Conkling & 
Grout. In .Tanuar}', 1886, he passed the required 
examinations and was admitted to the bar, entitled 
to practice in the local, State and Federal Courts. 
Mr. Armstrong has already been the Republican 
nominee for City Attorney, and in a Democratic 
eommonvTealth made a fine race for the office. He 
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, in which his social qualities give him popu- 
larity. 

j^ASHINGTON T. ILES owns and occupies 
one of the well regulated farms, so mauj' 
)f which are to be seen throughout this 
county, adding of their wealth to the resources of 
a great commonwealth. It consists of two hundred 
and eight}' acres of carefully tilled and pastfire land 
on section 14, Woodside Township, and bears upon 
it those structures fitted for the use and convenience 
of the occupants that are expected of a man of 
energy and good judgment. Mr. lies lias been en- 
gaged in farming since his youth, and always in 
this county, of which he is a native. 

Before outlining in brief the history of Wash- 
ington lies, a few words regarding his progenitors 
will not be amiss. His father, the late Washing- 
ton lies, was born in the Blue Grass State July IS, 
1800. He is numbered among the early settlers of 
this county, to which he came in 1825, setting up 
his home in Springfield. Although he was a farmer, 
he possessed the requisite ability to carry on the 
business of wool-carding, and also to prosecute mer- 



cantile pursuits in the city. He became the owner 
of more than two thousand acres of land in Wood- 
side Township, where lie and his faithful companion 
spent their last days, lies Junction was on his 
land and thus received its name. The wife of 
Washington lies, Sr., was Anna Foster, who was 
born in Kentucky, December 3, 1804, and cele- 
brated her marriage in Flemingsburg, May 21, 
1822. The good couple had nine children, of whom 
our subject was the sixth in order of birth, but the 
eldest son. 

The gentleman with whose name these paragraphs 
is introduced, was born April 6, 1833, in Spring- 
field, and remained with his parents until his mar- 
riage, which took place December 6, 1864. It was 
solemnized in Bath County, Ky., his bride being 
Emily Jones, who was born in that county April 4, 
1844, and who possessed an estimable character, 
much womanly wisdom and housewifely skill. She 
bore her share in the toils and triumphs of Mr. 
lies until called hence in October, 1890. She left 
four children to mourn over her departure, and 
solace their father in his grief by their love and 
devotion. A daughter, Julia J., had preceded her 
to the tomb, dying when but sixteen years old. The 
living children are Linna L., Benjamin, William 
and George. Linna is now the wife of .John 
Morris. 

Mr. lies is a firm believer in the principles ex- 
pressed in the Democratic platform, supports them 
by his ballot on election, and on every occasion 
when Governmental policy is the subject of con- 
versation is ready to announce bis faith. He is a 
law-abiding citizen, a kindly neighbor, and intvari- 
ons departments of life is honest and faithful. 



#^ 



-<v— 



SCAR BURNETT is a comparatively recent 
recruit of the farming and stock-raising com- 
'i^if^ munity of this county. He is the proprietor 
of a farm in Loami Township, which is under ex- 
cellent improvement and where he is extensively 
engaged in buying, feeding' and shipping cattle. 
A native of Morgan County, our subject was born 
February 17, 18G2. His father, George W. Bur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



231 



nett, was also a native of that part of Illinois, a 
son of one of its pioneei families. His father Isom 
Burnett, of Kentucky, was one of the first to settle 
in Morgan County, where he was actively engaged 
as a farmer for uiany years. His honorable career 
w.as brought to a close in 1885, when he wasnearlj* 
eighty years oM. The father of our subject was 
reared amid the pioneer scenes of his birthplace 
and has aivvaj's been a resident of Morgan County. 
He is a prominent citizen and is very influential in 
his communilj-. He is wealth}' and one of the 
largest landowners of the county, ho having thir- 
teen hundred and fifty acres of land in his posses- 
sion. He was happily married in early life to Mary 
J. McCormick, a native of Illinois, and to them 
have come eight children, of whom seven are liv- 
ing. Mrs. Burnett is a devottd Christian woman 
and a member of the Methodist Episcoi>al Church. 
The gentleman of whom we write received his 
education in the local district schools of his native 
county. Under his father's instruction he early 
became a good practical farmer, and at the age of 
twenty j-ears adopted that calling for his life work. 
In the month of Februar}', 1887, he removed to this 
county, and took up his residence in Loaml Town- 
ship. He is the proprietor of a valuable farm in 
this locality which comprises two hundred and 
forty acres of land of exceeding fertility, which is 
well adapted to stock-raising purposes, for which 
Mr. Burnett uses it in part. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burnett have established an attrac- 
tive, hospitable home in our midst, and all who 
cross its threshold are sure of a friendly and cor- 
dial welcome, and an invitation to share its com- 
forts. The host and his amiable wife were united 
in marriage October 16, 1884, and to thera has 
come one child, Ed L. Prior to her marriage Mrs. 
Burnett was ISIiss Nancj- Adams, and she is, like 
iior husband, a native of Morgan County, where she 
W.1S born March 20, 1862. She is a daughter of 
Littleton and Elizabeth (Cliritman) Adams, natives 
respeclivel)- of North Carolina and Illinois. Her 
mother died in 1SS3. Iler father p.ays exclusive 
attention to farming, in which he has been more 
than ordinaril}- prospered, and at one time owned 
eight hundred acres of land. 

Our subject, though a young man, has already at- 



tained an assured position among the substantial 
men of his calling in this count}', as he is possessed 
of an indomitable will, untiring perseverance, and 
an energetic character. Whde a resident of Mor- 
gan County he took an active [lart in politics, and 
was influential in the ranks of the Republican party. 
He has proved a good acquisition to the citizenship 
of this locality, and is now one of its most practi- 
cal and wide-awake oflicials, he being a School 
Treasurer of the township. 



'•» *' 4| * ? '' P ' S * |^ '* *" 

OHN K. KXUDSON, the leading mereh;int 
of Farmingdale, who also carries on farming 
in Gardner Township, was born near Aren- 
IJJ dal, on the coast of Norway. March 26, 
1849, but when throe months old was brought by 
his )jarents to America. His father, Ole Knudson, 
was born in Norway, December 15, 1800, and was 
liberally educated. He followed the profession of 
teaching for seven years and was also a fine nnechanic 
and expert cabinet-maker. Some time later he en- 
gaged in the stock business, traveling all over Nor- 
way in that line. He was quite successful and witii 
the capital thus acquired purcliased a large larni 
on the coast of Skager Rack, which he operated 
until 1849. On the 2Gth of April, 1848, he mar- 
ried Bertha .Simonson, who was born in Norway 
and is a daughter of Simon Simonson, who engaged 
in ship carpentering and also followed farming in 
that country. As a leader of a colony of emigrants 
he came to America in 1849. and two years later 
his death occurred. In June of the same year, Mr. 
Knudson with his wife and boy baby took passage 
on board the sailing vessel, " Vikingen" which left the 
port of Arendal, on the 6th of the month and ar- 
rived at New York on the 21st of July. By the 
lakes, across the canal and down the Illinois River 
to Naples, he continued his journey but as the 
cholera had broken out in Naples he at once came 
on to Springfield, reaching this city August 1 . It 
had been his intention to seek a home in Iowa, but 
circumstances led him to locate here. He and his 
family spent the winter in Springfield and the fol- 
lowing spring in company with his father-in-law. he 



n 



232 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



purchased two farms in Gardner Township. Mr. 
Knudson was very successful in his fanning opera- 
tions and provided all ]jis children with good edu- 
cational advantages. At tlie time of his death, 
which occurred November 13, 1887, he was the 
owner of a line farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres. He was a member of the English Lutheran 
Church of Springfield. His wife survives him 
and resides on the old homestead. 

Of the eight children born unto them, John K. 
of this sketch is the eldest ; Augusta M., a grad- 
uate of the Jacksonville Female Academy, is now 
teaching in Virginia, 11).; Simon is a farmer of 
Holdridge, Phelps County, Neb.; Samuel O. is in 
the employ of a wholesale lumber house of Chicago; 
Benjamin O., a teacher by profession, resides in 
Springfield; Martin H., Mary A. K. and Theodore 
J. are at home. 

As has been stated, our subject has passed al- 
most his entire life in this county. During the 
days of his boyhood and j'outh he worked upon 
the farm during the summer months and attended 
the district school in the winter season until twenty 
years of age, when he entered the Wesleyan Uni- 
versity of Bloomington, which school his brothers 
also attended. He then entered the Keokuk Com- 
mercial College of Keokuk, Iowa, from which he 
was graduated in 1875. after completing a two 
years scientific course of study. Returning to his 
home he took up the profession of teaching as a 
means of maintenance and for fourteen years suc- 
cessfully followed that profession. With the capi- 
tal which he had been enabled to lay by, he then 
purchased eighty acres of improved land on section 
15, Gardner Township, where he has a fine farm. 
He is also engaged in mercantile pursuits, having 
in 1883 purchased the store of D. Humphrey, 
where he carries a full line of general merchandise. 
His residence is situated near Farmingdale and is 
one of the best in the community. 

On the 29th of June, 1887, Mr. Knudson was 
united in marriage with Miss Emma L. Epler, who 
was born in Gardner Township, and is a daughter 
of George and Eliza J. Elpler. The family is of 
German origin. Tiie grandfather of Jlrs. Knudson, 
Abraham Epler, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., 
but his father, John Epler, was a native of the Black 



Forest, Germany. Abraham was reared in Dauphin 
Countj', of his native Slate and in 1794 removed 
to Jefferson County, Ky., where he spent six years, 
when he went to Charleston, Ind. In 1832 he took 
up his residence in Morgan County, 111., and be- 
came a large land-owner of that communit}'. He 
made farming his occupation throughout his entire 
life. 

George Epler, father of Mrs. Knudson, was 
reared in Indiana, and on October G, 1836, in 
Charleston, wedded Eliza Huckleberry, who was 
born in Clark County, Ind., March 20, 1815. Her 
father was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., 
whence he removed at the age of nine years, to 
Jefferson County, K}-., where tlie succeeding three 
years of his life were passed. He then went to 
Indiana and at length became the owner of a fine 
farm on the Ohio River, a mile and a half from 
Charleston. During his bo3'hood the Indians were 
still numerous in the neighborhood and atone time 
his brother was taken prisoner by them. George 
escaped and running home told his parents what 
had happened. His father, accompanied by some 
of his neighbors, then started in pursuit and suc- 
ceeded in overtaking the Indians by a branch of the 
Ohio River. Seeing that they could not escape 
with the lad, the sav.ages lu-auded him with a toma- 
hawk and released him. The creek was ever after- 
wards known as Huckleberry Creek. The great- 
grandfather, George Huckleberrj', a native of 
Wurteniburg, Germany, located in Berks Countj', 
I'a., on coming to this countrj- and afterwards re- 
moved to Lancaster County. In 1793 he went to 
Kentuck3% living in a fort near Louisville for three 
years, when he went to Indiana. 

As before stated, Mrs. Knudson is a daughter of 
George Epler, and her maternal grandmother was 
Ann Corr. who was born in Winchester, ^^a., and 
was a daughter of John Corr, a native of Belfast, 
Ireland, who became a Virginian farmer and served 
in the Revolutionary War under Gen. Washington. 
He married Margaret Pawing, who was born near 
Lancaster, Pa., of Scotch descent. 

The week succeeding their marriage, Mr. and 
Mrs. Epler came to Illinois. In 1852 he purchased 
a farm of four hundred acres in Gardner Township, 
paying $35 per acre and made many fine improve- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



233 



ments thereon. An important branch of his busi- 
ness was stock feeding. His home was situated on 
the higliest point of land between Beardstown and 
Springfickl, where he died September .5, 1867. His 
wife coiilinned to operate tlie liome farm until 1882, 
when she removed to Springfield but since 1887 
she has resided with lier cliildren. There were eight 
children in the family — Abraham, a dry-goods 
merchant of Cameron, Mo.; Margaret A., wife of 
John Gait, of Sprinpfield; Mrs. Mary E. Carroll, of 
Sheldon, Mo.; Mrs. Kliza J. Skiles, of Virginia, 111.; 
George, a grocer of Springfield; Lewis C, a 
clothier of Sjiringfield; Dr. John W., who graduated 
from the celebrated Jefferson Medical College of 
Philadelphia, and is now engaged in practice in 
Silver City, Iowa. 

Emma L., the remaining member of the family, 
was reared and educated in Gardner Township and 
remained at home until her marriage with Mr. 
Knudson. This union has been blessed with one 
child, a daughter, Helen E. Mr. Knudson is an 
enterprising citizen and in polities is a stalwart sup- 
porter of Reiniblican principles. He has several 
times been a member of the County Central Com- 
mittee, h.as served as delegate to the county and 
Congressional Conventions, was Collector for two 
years, filled the otHce of Postmaster from 1883 
until 1886 and is now School Director. He is also 
an active an<l faithful member of the Presbyterian 
Church and has served as Superintendent of the 
Sund.ay-school. Few men are better and none 
more favorably known in Sangamon County than 
J. K. Knudson. He is an intelligent and enteri)ris- 
ing citizen and his wife is a Iad3- of culture and re- 
finement. 



-€--*-^- 



-^^3- 



^■ARSDEN HOPWOOD is the proprietor of 
\\\ one of the many fine farms for which this 
LSI county is noted. It is pleasantly located 
twelve tniles from Springfield in the town- 
ship of Salisbur}-, where our subject occupies a 
leading position among the most intelligent and 
enterprising farmers and stock-raisers who are con- 
nected with its great agricultural interests. 



Rushton Hopwood, the father of our subject, 
was born in Lancashire, England, and was the son 
of James Hopwood, a farmer of that shire. Mr. 
Hopwood was employed in the print works in Acc- 
rington, where he lived until he was about sixty 
years old. In 1858 he came to America to join our 
subject, and from Menard County he came here in 
1859, and spent his last years here, dying in 1871. 
He was a man of sound sense and solid character. 
In his political views he sided with the Republicans. 
In early life he married Jlargaret Cock, a native of 
Lancashire, England, and a daughter of Marsden 
Cock, who was an English farmer. Mrs. Hopwood 
died here in 1868. She was a devoted member of 
the Christian Church. The following five children 
were born to the parents of our subject: Nicholas, 
a resident of Menard County, where he is exten- 
sively engaged in farming; William, who died in 
this township; Alice, Mrs. French, who died in 
England; Marsden; and James, a farjner in Salis- 
bury Township. Nicholas w.as a brave soldier dur- 
ing the late Rebellion. He volunteered in 1862 as 
a member of Company H, One Hundred and Four- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, and served until the close 
of the war. While taking part in battle he was 
wounded in the leg. 

The gentleman to whom these notes particularly 
refer was born in Acerington, Lancashire, England, 
September 20, 1810. In his boyhood he attended a 
select school fora time, but hiscducation was other- 
wise somewhat limited. When eleven years old he 
was emplo^-ed in the print works and after that at- 
tended night school. He continued in the inint works 
until he was seventeen years old, and then came to 
America with his brotherWilliam to join his brother 
Nicholas who came to this countr3- in 1856. The 
brothers left Liverpool in the merchant vessel 
"Charlotte," and after a pleasant voyage of forty- 
seven days approached New Orleans. The vessel lay 
at the mouth of the Mississippi eleven d.ays on ac- 
count of a sandbai-. Our subject and his brother 
then came up the river to St. Louis, and from there 
to Naples, whence they made their way on foot to 
Lynnville in Morgan County, this State, where their 
brother was living. Mr. Hopwood began working 
out by the month on a farm and subsequently 
rented a farm in Menard County. In 1850 be and his 



234 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



hrotliers came to Salisbury Townsliip and bought 
one liiinilred and twenty-one acres of land on sec- 
lion 22, forming a part of our subject's prestion of 
ent farm. It was nea)-l3- all timber, with the excep- 
fifteon acres that had been cleared and broken and 
on which stood a log house. The Messrs. Hop- 
wood farmed in partnership until 1862, and then 
William and Marsden bought their brother's share 
in the place and the}' continued together until 
1873, when they severed their connection. 

After our subject and his brother William dis- 
solved partnership the former retained sixty acres 
of the land and has since carried on agriculture bj- 
hirafelf. He has added to his homestead until he 
now |)()ssesses two hundred and sixty-five acres of 
land, well watered by the Sangamon River, under 
admirable tillage, and from its fertile soil he 
gleans rich harvests. He has improved the place 
quite extensively and has amiile buildings and all 
the necessar}- conveniences for cultivating his land 
and raising stock. He has two large barns and a 
commodious dwelling house. He has been quite 
extensively engaged in raising grain and stock, rais- 
ing and feeding cattle by the carload. He used to 
have sheep but does not now. He has graded 
Clydesdale horses, two teams for farm work. Since 
188'J he has rented the most of his farm, as he is 
now in comfortable circumstances and no longer 
nee'ds to labor as iiard as formerly. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Caroline 
Jordan was celebrated in Menard County April 27, 



U 



Mrs. Ilopwood is the daughter of John 



Jordan. a pioneer farmer of Menard County. She 
is an excellent housewife and understands well 
how to contribute to the comfort of her house- 
hold. She is a woman of many virtues and is a 
valued member of the Christian Church at Salis- 
bury. Of her marriage with our subject the fol- 
lowing six children have been born — Mamie and 
Rosa M., who are at home with their parents; 
Harry and Nellie are also at home; and Alice and 
Rachael are deceased. 

No man stands liigher in the regard of his fel- 
low-citizens than our subject, who is in every way 
worthy of the estimation in which he is held. In 
his career as a farmer he has displayed an excellent 
capacity for business, forethought and wise calcula- 



tion that have brought him to the front among the 
most prosperous members of the township. He has 
been influential in public affairs, taking an intelli- 
gent interest in all that concerned this locality and 
his public spirit has helped forward many plans 
devised for its advancement. Especially is this 
true in regard to education, as he is one of the 
most prominent members of the School Board and 
has served as its President for seven years. So- 
cially' he is a member of Equity Lodge, F. M. B. A., 
at Salisbury. Politically, he is a stanch advocate 
of the Republican party. 



^1= 




ENRY A. DEWEESE. Among the enter- 
prising men who make their home in Loami 
Township and contribute to its commercial 
growth by conducting business there, is the 
gentleman above named who is engaged in the sale 
of merchandise. He came to the place in 1879 and 
for some five 3'ears conducted a general store for 
L. H. Coleman. He then with G. L. Allen bought 
the stock, and by his fair and honorable dealing 
has secured a large share of the public patronage. 
His goods are well-selected with a view to meet 
the wants of the inhabitants of the farming region 
as well as the dwellers in the town and are taste- 
fully displayed and cheerfully shown visitors to 
the establishment. 

Mr. Dewcesc is still quite a young man having 
been born ^larch 22, 1 854. near Alexander, Morgan 
County. His parents Joseph H. and LydaA.G. 
Deweese, were born in Kentucky in 1830, and 
came to this State a number of years ago. The 
father located in Warren County in 1849, but after- 
ward bought a farm in Morgan County. There his 
good wife breathed her last in 1856. The husband 
survived until January 22, 1890, dying in Johnson 
County, Kan., where he was then residing. 

Our subject was educated in the common schools 
of his native county and learned the trade of a 
harness maker at Berlin beginning his work in 1870. 
He remained there three years, then he worked in 
Springfield six months and then became partner with 
Robert Ellis at Berlin in a general store, remained 




JOHI-i BLACK 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



237 



there two years, sold his interest to liis partner and 
went to Springfield with L. H. Coleman until 1879. 
He then came to Loami and as before stated, 
managed a store for a few yeais, then became pro- 
prietor. He is one of the most enterprising dealers 
in the village, and iiis energy is not confined to his 
personal affairs but leads him to take a part in every 
movement which promises to advance the pros- 
perity' of the citizens and aid in the upbuilding of 
the town. 

October 26tii, 1882, the rites of wedlock were 
celebrated between H. A. Dewecseand Miss Maggie 
Hinton. The bride was born in Loami Township. 
She is a woman of much intelligence, who looks 
carefully after the family interests in the n>anage- 
ment of househohl affairs, is social and hospitable, 
and sympatliizes in the good works promulgated in 
the community. One child has been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Deweese, upon whom has been bestowed 
the name of Louis T. The political allegiance -of 
Mr. Deweese is given to the principles of Democ- 
racy. His personal character is such as to win uni- 
versal esteem and his business career promises fine 
results in the future. 



'OHNBLACK. Prominent among the citi- 
zens of Springfield who in the height of 
their useful.iess were stricken down by the" 
hand of death, was .John Black, as the fol- 
lowing from the Sangamon Monitor, of September 
8, 1888, indicates: 

"Died — At the family residence on South Si.xth 
Street, between Capitol Avenue and .Jackson Street, 
September 7, 1888, Jolin Black, in the fifty-ninth year 
of his age. Funeral Sunday I^. M. at 2:30, from" the 
family residence. 

The deceased has lieen confined to liis home 
for months with a comiilication of dise.ases, the 
greatest of wliicli was lieart failure. His heart 
has been gradually growing weaker and weaker 
in- performing its functions, until its total fail- 
ure caused him to sink peacefully to sleep in 
death. He was well-known in this city and 
highly respected wherever known. He was a man 
of positive convictions upon all subjects with 
which he had familiarized himself and gave expres- 
sion to them whenever he felt called to do so fear- 



lessly and freely. A great reader, particularly of 
the current topics of the times, he was an intelli- 
gent and interesting conversationalist upon almost 
every general topic, and when not familiar with a 
subject of interest he lost no opi)ortunity of be- 
coming so. lie possessed many splendid traits of 
manly character and his friendships were of a ver_v 
warm nature. Although somewhat reserved in 
making acquaintances, his was a kindly nature 
whenever liis sympathies were enlisted. While he 
never did anj'thing for mere show or parade he vvas 
liberal and generous as many can attest. 

Mr. Black was a native of Lee, Mass., where he 
was born March 4, 1829. A thorough New Eng- 
lander in tastes and inclinations, in industrious 
habits and thrift by reason of which, coupled with 
close calculation in .ill enterprises in which he e;:;- 
barked and by the exercise of a splendid business 
judgment, he had gathered around him a very liand- 
soiue property. He came to Illinois in 18.')8, di- 
rected his energies to building, and erected a number 
of houses in different parts of the city' which he 
would hold until purchasers were found. He and 
the late J.ason C. Henkle became partners in the 
manufacture of wrapping paper and erected tlm 
mills at Riverton of which he liecame sole owner. 

INIr. Black was married in Decatur, November 1, 
1877, to Miss Ivate Shellaharger of that city. He 
was a devoted husband and an indulgent father, 
who idolized wife and children and was never hap- 
pier than when sharing bis own joj's with them or 
providing some new source of enjoj'ment for wife 
and children." 

John Black was a son of William M. Bhick and 
a brother of George N. Black, of whom a sketch 
may be found elsewiiere in this volume. His father 
was a paper manufacturer before him, so that in 
his enterprise at Riverton he WIS following in his 
footsteps. He himself learned the trade of a car- 
penter when a young man in Pittsfleld, Mass., and 
subsequently worked in a sash and blind factory in 
that city. Coming to the West he engaged for a 
while in the lumber tr.adein Chicago and then came 
to this city. 

In the article quoted in part, we find these closing 
words: "The J/o« ('tor offers its tribute of respect 
to the memory of an honest man, a kind-hearted, 
enterprising citizen, a loving husband and an affec- 
tionate father, whose pride was his wife and off- 
spring, a friend whose friendship once gained was 
as Lasting .as life and true as steel." 

Mr. and Mrs. Black became the parents of three 
children — Kittle, John and Clarence. Mrs. Black, 



238 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



who occupies the elegant home on Sixth Street, is 
a daughter of David and Catlierine (Bj^erly) Sliel- 
labarger, natives of Pennsylvania. The family 
came to Illinois from the Keystone State and located 
in Decatur in 18G2. Mr. and Mrs. Siiellabarger 
were married Decemlier 2.'>, 1830, and lived to cel- 
ebrate tlie fiftielli aniversary of wedded life sur- 
rounded by children and many friends. 'Sir. 
Siiellabarger rounded out a long and honorable 
career, August 15, 1883, at a ripe old age. He was 
recognized as one of the substantial, thorough-going, 
enterprising citizens of Decatur while he vras a res- 
ident of that city. The very name Shellabarger 
furnishes an entree to the best circles of society 
and many bearing it liave attained to prominence. 

Mrs. Black's cliief care is for her children, as she 
is a tender, devoted mother. An active member 
of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church she is promi- 
nent in its various good works. She is possessed 
of tlie most sterling qualities of genuine woman- 
hood and is held in high esteem by all who liave 
the pleasure of her acquaintance. 

A portrait of the late Mr. Black is presented on 
another page of tlie Ai.boji. 



EDMOND 
the citiz 
., -; with ilh 



f^DMOND D. POSTON. The biographies of 
zens of Springfield are studded over 
llnstrious examples of the power of 
steadfast integrity and personal energy, and among 
tliese one of peculiar prominence is tlie record of 
the life of Mr. Poston, wlio, altliongh now only in 
tlie prime of an active career, has attained an envi- 
al)le position in financial and social circles. He is 
now carrying on an extensive business in Spring- 
field as a dry-goods merchant in companj' witli R. 
T. Cleavenger. Through never-failing courtes.y and 
unflagging industrj', tlie firm have established tliem- 
selves on a firm financial basis, and stand deserv- 
edly high among others of Sangamon County. 

The fatlier of the gentleman of whom we write, 
bore the name of Edwin Poston and was a native 
of Kentnek}', where he passed manj' 3'ears of his 
life. He married Mary T. Didlake, who was born 
in Kentucky, and the young couple remained in the 



Blue Grass State for several years after their mar- 
riage. In AVincliester, Clark County, that State, 
their son, our subject, was born February 23, 1849, 
and in that city, where the father was engaged as a 
dry-goods merchant, he lived until 1851. At that 
time he accompanied tlie family to Illinois, locating 
in Bloomington, where he w.as reared and educated 
and where he remained until he was eighteen years 
of age. The father entered into business as a grain 
dealer in Bloomington, and there resided until his 
death in 1858, when the city lost a citizen who had 
aided in advancing its material prosperity and in 
promoting its highest interests religiously and mor- 
ally. He was a thoroughly good man, whose char- 
acter was irreproachable, and was one of the fore- 
most members of the Christian Church, of which he 
was an Elder. He also occasionally preached to 
the congregation with great acceptability. 

The mother of our subject is passing iier declin- 
ing years quietly at the home of her son, our sub- 
ject, in Springfield. Of the four children born to 
iier and her husbnnd, one died in infanc}'. The 
others are: John, a resident of Missouri; Newton, 
who lives in Seattle, Wash., and Edmond D. The 
latter was but two j'cars of age when he was brought 
by liis parents to Illinois, and as above stated, re- 
mained in Bloomington until he was eighteen years 
old, when he entered the dry-goods business as 
clerk for Scruggs, Yandervoort it Barney, of St. 
Louis, Mo. 

After leaving Scruggs, Yandervoort & Barney, 
Mr. Poston came to Springfield and became clerk 
for L. II. Coleman. After remaining in that posi- 
tion until 1887, he established himself in his pres- 
ent business in connection with R. T. Cleavenger. 
In his experiences .as clerk, our subject gained a 
fine insight into business, and possesses a thorough 
knowledge of tlie best ways of conducting it. He 
and bis partner are doing remarkably well from a 
financial point of view, and are already numbered 
among the leading merchants of Springfield. 

The marriage of Mr. Poston and Miss Minnie 
Stockdale was celebrated April 8, 1881, in Spring- 
field. Mrs. Poston is a native of Springfield, and 
the daughter of William and Jane (Bunnell) Stock- 
dale, natives of Pennsylvania, and now residing in 
Springfield. Mr. Poston stands deservedly high in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



239 



this comniiinity as a man of honor, and is stiaight- 
forwanl and open in his business transactions. lie is 
a young man of good habits, and thougli of Demo- 
cratic antecedent's, is a strong Prohibitionist. He 
is a member of the Masonic order, and in liim tlie 
Cliristiau Church, to which lie Ijelongs, finds one of 
its most active workers and one of tlie best expo- 
nents of its doctrines. 



-^-H 



, • - K - 




O'SES W. SUMMERS is a partner of tlie 
'' well known firm of Kelley & Summers- 
owners of the celebrated Glenoove herd of 
Poland-China swine, in Curran Township. 
Glencove Farm is prettily located on the prairie, 
two miles north of Curran and eight miles west of 
Springfield. It comprises one hundied and sixty 
acres of tillable, well-improved land, which is thor- 
oughly tiled, hedged and fenced into convenient 
fields and is well watered by Spring Creek. He 
lias here a large and commodious residence, substan- 
tial outbuildings and everything about the place is 
in good order. 

Moses Summers, the father of our subject, was 
born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1818, and 
came of an old and prominent family of that State. 
He was a son of John Summers, a native of New 
York, who was a well-to-do and prominent farmsr 
of Onondaga Count}', where his life was brought to 
a close at a ripe age. Moses Summers and one of 
his brothers came to Illinois in 1838 and located 
in Cass County near the town of Virginia, where he 
bought a farm and dealt to some extent in land. 
In 1858 he sold his possessions there and coming to 
Curran Township bought the place now occupied 
by our subject. He located here and engaged in 
farming for many years. His homestead originally 
comprised two hundred and forty acres, but he sold 
all but one iiundred and sixty acres of his land. 
May 22, 1886, he closed his eyes in death in the 
pleasant home that he has built here. He was 
regarded as one of the most solid men of the town- 
ship, and was prominent in educational matters as 
a School Director and in religious affairs as one of 
the foremost members of the Blethodist Church ai 



New Salem, which he served as Class-Leader. He 
was very active in securing the erection of the 
house of worship, and gave more than any other 
towards the expense of building. He was influ- 
ential in the Sunday-school and was Superintend- 
ent thereof. He was at one time a minister in the 
Methodist Church, and he was twice married. His 
first wife w.as in her maidenhood Miss Ellenor 
Yaples. 

The mother of our subject, whose name before 
her marriage was Mary R. Talbott, was born in 
Kentucky and was a daughter of David Talbott, 
who came here in 183.5. For her parental history 
see sketch of William T. Talbott, of Gardner. 'Ihe 
mother was reared in her Kentucky home and has 
been a resident of this county for fifty-five years. 
The following five children were born of her mar- 
riage: Ruth, wife of Dr. Mathews, of Brownville, 
Neb.; Ella, Mrs. Hume, who died in Canada; 
Lottie, Mrs. E. B. Towl, of South Omaha, Neb.; 
E. Frances, at home with her mother; and our 
subject. 

He of whom we write was born in Curran Town- 
ship Jul}' 31, 1863, was reared on the home farm 
and obtained the basis of his education in the dis- 
trict schools, which he attended until he was seven- 
teen years old. He then entered Lincoln University 
where he studied in a scientific course one year. 
He was then obliged to leave college and return 
home to take charge of the farm, as his father was 
an invalid, and for fifteen years it has been umler 
his able management, he having full control of 
everything. 

As we have noted our subject is extensively in- 
terested with his partner, Mr. Kelley, in raising 
full-blooded Poland-China hogs, and they have 
what is considered the finest herd of that famous 
breed in the State. At the Sangamon County Fair 
they took the first premium on hogs, and Mr. Sum- 
mers obtained the sweetstakes on yellow corn, 
besides getting the first premium for sweet corn. 
Mr. Summers is also interested in raising fancy 
poultry, bronze turkeys and in breeding Scotch Col- 
lie or Shepherd dogs. He devotes much attention 
to the cattle and sheep business and is establishing a 
herd of Jerseys, his preference in sheep being for 
the celebrated Oxford Down breed. 



240 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



October 25, 1888, our subject was married in 
Gardner Township to Miss Euna Baldwin, a native 
of this count}'. She is a daughter of William and 
Mary (Parkinson) Baldwin, formerly of this countj' 
but now of Arlington, Kan., where Mr. Baldwin is 
extensively engaged in farming. Mrs. Summers 
is a graduate of the High School at Springfield, 
is a woman of much culture, and is one of the lead- 
ing members of society and of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Cliurch at Salem. 

Mr. Summers is a well-educated and intelligent 
young man and is popular with everyone. He is 
influential in public and political circles, and has 
been called upon to fill positions of trust and 
responsibility. He is ,".t present Treasurer of the 
Board of Commissioners of Highways. In politics 
he is active in the interests of the Republican part}- 
and is a member of the Central Committee, repre- 
senting Curran, and has taken part in the delibera- 
tions of his party as a delegate to State Conven- 
tions. He is a member of the Farmers Mutual 
Benefit Associaliou at Curran. He was one of the 
jurymen during the six days trial of the celebrated 
Moshier murder case. 



-5^^- 



AVIS W. LAWLEY is one of the men who 
profit by tilling the soil in tiiis county. The 
portion of Cotton Hill Township to which 
he holds the title consists of one hundred and 
seventy-five acres on section 18, whereon a commo- 
dious and comfortable dwelling has been erected, 
together with the barns, granaries, etc., which be- 
long to a well-regulated estate. Fruit and shade 
trees and well-kept fences add to the attractive 
appearance of the farm and also to its monetary 
value. 

Our subject belongs to a famil}' which is num- 
bered among the earl}' settlers of the county. His 
father, "William B. Lawley, was born in Smith 
County, Tenn., but came to this State many years 
ago. In Rochester Township, this county, he mar- 
ried Amy Meredith. The pair established their 
home in Ball Township and there reared their 
family of two sons and one daughter. In that 



township they were living when the Death Angel 
called them away from earthly things. Mr. Law- 
ley took an active interest in political affairs and 
was for a long time a Democrat, but during the 
war joined the Republican part}-. 

Our subject, the eldest in the parental family, 
was born in Ball Township November 15, 1832. 
He had the advantages which the times afforded in 
tiie way of schooling, and at home learned how to 
carry on a farm and manage the business affairs 
connected therewith. When he had attained to his 
majority he set out in life for iiimself. In August 
15, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred 
and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and served in the 
ranks of his country's defenders tliree years. He 
formed one of that vast number of gallant men 
upon whose obedience to orders, physical bravery 
and moral courage the result of the contest de- 
pended. For three years he fought and otherwise 
did what he could to save the Union, returning to 
his home without having received any wounds, but 
with his health impaired by privation and expo- 
sure. He was mustered out of the service in Ten- 
nessee and came at once to his old home in this 
county. 

Mr. Lawley won for his wife Miss Mary Ann Ray, 
to whom he was married in Springfield March 26, 
1866. Mrs. Lawley is the eldest of eight' children 
born to James and Susannah (Sample) R.iy. Her par- 
ents were born in Ohio, but died in this State, the 
wife near Lincoln and the husband in Williams- 
ville, this county. Mrs. Lawley was born in .Tack- 
son County, Ohio, September 21, 1843. She 
understands the art of making home cozy and at- 
tractive, and by her intelligence and goodness has 
drawn around her a fine circle of friends. After 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lawley lived in Ball 
Township about four years and then settled on 
their present location. 

To our subject and his wife nine children have 
been born, named respectively: l<la F., James W., 
Luella M., Eva I., Norah A., Hardy W., George 
A., Bertha A. and Charles E. Of tliese Ida, James 
and George are deceased. By a former marriage 
our subject had four children — Amy, Stephen T., 
Mary E. and Davis F. Amy and Stephen are de- 
ceased. Mary S. is the wife of Henry Knott, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



241 



anrl Luella tbe wife of Elijah Slaoup. The par- 
ents are members of the Cliristian Church and 
have endeavored to instill into the hearts of 
their offsprino a full conception of the duties they 
owe to God and man. In politics Mr. Lawley is 
a Repablican. He stands well in the community 
as a man of upright life, well-informed mind and 
interest in the welfare of those about him. 






-'^-m 



VfOHN C. MATHIS, A. B. A prominent 
rank among the members of the bar in 
Springfield is held by the gentleman above- 
named, who in a few short years has worked 
up a good practice as attorney and counselor- 
at-law. At present he is Assistant United Slates 
District Attorney for the Southern District of Illi- 
nois, to which office he was appointed July 5, 
18h9. In addition to his legal knowledge he pos- 
sesses a fine classical education, while his manners 
are polished and courteous. He is a rising young 
man, from whom much may be expected in the 
future, and who has already borne an active part 
in various political and social movements. 

Mr. Mathis was born on a farm near Virginia, 
Cass County, July 18, 1864. and grew to boyhood 
at the place of his birth. His father, Jennings C. 
Mathis, was a native of New Jersey, but had come 
to this State when but a boy. He died in Kansas 
in 1870 and the widow, Minerva E. (Matthews) 
Mathis, came with her family to Sangamon County 
in 1878. 

On a farm here our subject passed his youth 
engaged in farm work and attending school, being 
graduated from the Springfield High School in 
1882. He then entered Princeton (N. J.) College, 
where he applied himself with assiduity to the 
curriculum until he was graduated with honor in 
1886. During his vacation young Mathis had 
been reading law with Conkling & Grout, and 
on his return from college he entered their office 
and was admitted to tlie bar b}' examination in 
1887. 

Mr. Mathis opened an office and practiced alone 
until he received the appointment of Assistant 



Attorney, when he formed a law partnersMp with 
A. J. Lester, which still continues. He gives his 
particular attention to his legal practice, but 
without neglecting any of the duties which belong 
to his public position. He has been intimately 
connected with the workings of the Republican 
party in the county, as a young man liaving 
taken a prominent part as President of the league 
clubs in Sangamon County, and during the cam- 
paign of 1888 having acted as Secretary of the 
County Central Committee. 

Mr. Mathis belongs to the Knights of Pythias, 
the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks, having been identified 
with the last-named since the lodge was organ- 
ized here. The intelligence, grace and fine char- 
acter of Miss Marie W3'att, of Lincoln, this State, 
won the deep regard of Mr. Mathis, and after a 
successful wooing the young couple were united 
in marriage June 28, 1886. Mrs. Mathis is a daugh- 
ter of Col. W. D. Wyatt and his wife, formerly 
Miss Blackshire. She is a popular member of so- 
ciety and in her own home presides with dignity 
and surrounds herself with the evidences of cul- 
tured taste. The union has been blessed by the 
birth of one son, Robert J., who was born in June, 
1890. 



^- 



-^ 




ARION U. WOODRUFF, one of the lead- 
ing young attorneys of Springfield, be- 
longing to the firm of Woodruff & Galligan, 
was born in Sangamon County on the 
24th of June, 186-3, and is the second child in 
a family of six children born unto Thomas and 
Mildred (Tackett) AVoodruff, wiio were natives 
of Kentucky and Illinois respectively. His father 
came to the Stale of Illinois in the year 1860 and 
the following year was united in marriage with 
Miss Tackett, the union being celcbr.nted in Spring- 
field. Bv occupation he was a farmer and followed 
that business throughout his entire life. He died 
July 13, 1882, respected by all who knew him. Of 
the children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff 
all are yet living, namely: Ella, wife of John 
Dreudle, a farmer; Marion U., of this sketch; 



^42 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Lorin and Sliermnn, who are engaged in farming; 
Ida, a resident of Chicago. The Woodruffs, are an 
old Virginian family and were represented in the 
Kevolntionary War l)y the great-grand father of 
our subject, Nodiali Woodruff, who wore the blue 
and buff. 

Marion Woodruff received excellent educational 
advantages in hisjouth. Me acquired his primary 
education in the common schools which was sup- 
plemented by a course in the colleges of Valparaiso, 
Ind., and Champaign, 111. He began the study of 
law under Capt. Smith, of the latter place, and 
was admitted to the bar in Mt. Vernon, 111., in 
the spring of 1888. Immediately thereafter he 
formed a partnership with Bartholomew Galligan 
and opened an office in Springfield. The firm does 
business under the style of Woodruff & Galligan, 
general practitioners. Mr. Woodruff is a member 
of the Order of Modern Woodmen and is popu- 
hir in social and business circles. 

The other member of the firm, Bartholomew 
(ialligan, is a native of this county, born of Irish 
parentage. He first opened his eyes to the light 
of day on the 4tli of April, 1859, his parents 
being Bartholomew and Ellen (Reilly) Galligan, 
both of whom are natives of the Emerald Isle, 
but in childhood they left that land and came to 
America. In their family are seven children yet 
living, and one daughter Maggie died in early 
cliildhood. The living are: Mary Ann, wife of 
Joseph Faith; Bartholomew, Jr.; Agnes, Phillip, 
Ella, Anna and John. 

Bartholomew Galligan, whose name heads this 
sketch, spent the days of his boyhood and youth 
upon the old homestead and assisted in the culti- 
vation of the farm, but on making choice of a 
vocation for a life work, he chose a professional 
career and to the practice of law has davoted his 
energies. He was educated in the Wesleyan Uni- 
versity of Bloomington, where he pursued his 
studies one year and then took a four years' course 
in the college of Valparaiso, Ind., graduating from 
the law department of that institution in the class 
of '88. His native county has been the scene of 
his manhood's efforts as well as his boyhood's 
plays. Immedi.ately after his graduation he carae 
to Springfield and the office of AVoodruff & Galli- 



gan was opened. In politics he is a supporter of 
the Democracy, and socially is a member of the 
Modern Woodmen. 

The gentlemen comprising the firm of AVoodruff 
& Galligan are representatives of earlj' and re- 
spected families of the county, and their business 
ability is such as to win them an honored place 
among their professional brethren. They already 
have a lucrative practice which is constantly in- 
creasing. 



(kM: R^- KMILY ENGLISH. This lady is num- 
bered among the old settlers of the count3' 
and has made many friends since she began 
her life here as a young girl. As maid, 
wife, and widow she has borne herself in a manner 
that betokens the kindness of her heart, the depth 
of her intelligence, and the worth of her woman- 
liood. She is well informed regarding the means 
by which this region of a great State has been made 
to blossom like the rose, and has herself done much 
to aid in accomplishing this result, by her good 
counsel, wisdom in household affairs, and prudent 
management of matters that she had in hand. 

The parents of Mrs. English were David and 
Harriet (Harding) Talbott, both born in Maryland, 
the father in Baltimore County. They were married 
in Kentucky, and in Shelby County she of whom 
we write was born October 21, 1823. She is the 
eleventh in a family of thirteen children. Her 
parents removed hither in 1835 and selecting 
Gardner Township as their future abode, spent the 
rest of their earthly pilgrimage there. Their daugh- 
ter Emily remained with them until her marriage 
to George Brunk, when she left their roof for a 
new home. 

George Brunk was born near Cleveland, Ohio, 
December 22, 1804. His union with our sultject 
occurred December 12, 18Gl,and their home was 
esUiblished on section 6, Cotton Hill Township. 
After a few short years of wedded happiness, Mr. 
Brunk was called from time to eternity, September 
2, 1868, leaving to the care of his widow two sons. 
The}- have been reared in such a manner as to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



243 



qualify them to discharge the duties they owe to 
llieir fellow-men and lead reputable lives. The 
older, Talbott F., is now farming in Cotton Hill 
Township, and the younger, Joseph C, in "Wood- 
side Township. Siietches of their lives will be 
found elsewhere in this Ai-bdm. 

Mrs. Brunk continued to live on the homestead, 
|)ersoually looking after the interests of herself and 
little sons until her marriage to Lindsey H. English. 
That event transpired November 14, 1869. The 
Brunk farm was still the home until 1875. when 
the English family removed to section 11, Wood- 
side Township. Here our subject 3'et resides, in a 
pleasant dwelling, surrounded by many evidences 
of comfort and prosperity, and rejoicing in the 
loving care of her children and the esteem of 
friends. Mr. English was removed Iiy death Janu- 
ar3' 29, 1880. He was a quiet, unassuming man, 
who devoted himself assiduously to his chosen 
vocation, took great delight in the pleasures of 
domestic life, and lived the religion in which he 
believed. He was a member of the Baptist Church. 
The farm of one hundred acres is now owned by 
the widow and her son Thomas English, the only 
child born of the union. 

Mr. English was born November 15, 1806, and 
was first married to Miss A. Turney. This union 
was blessed by the birth of eight sons and two 
daughters — Turney, Wharton, Josephine, Warren, 
Marion, John B., Rush. Elisha, Belle and Lindsey. 
All are living except the last named. Mrs. A. 
English died in 1865 and a few years later Mr. 
English wedded the lady of whom we write. 




4'i RS. ELIZA JONES MILLER, who resides 
on section 17, Rochester Township, is a 
representative of one of the honored pio- 
neer families of the county. Her father, 
Andrew Jones, was a native of Virginia and married 
Miss Eleanor Goodan, who was born in the Key- 
stone State. For some time after their marriage 
they resided in Kentucky, whence iu 1825 
Ihey removed to Sangamon County, 111. Locating 
in Rochester Township, upon the first farm which 



they i)urchased they made their home until life was 
ended. They were respected citizens of the com- 
munity and man}' friends mourned their loss. 

Mrs. Miller is a native of Bath County, Ky. She 
was born on the 12th of September, 1819, and was 
the third in a family of six children. When with 
her parents she came to Illinois she was but six 
years of .age and under the parental roof she 
remained until her marriage, which occurred June 
30, 1841, when she became the wife of Samuel Mil- 
ler. For thirt3'-sevcn years they traveled life's 
journey together. Mr. INIiller was born in Lou- 
doun County, Va., August 27, 1815, and is also 
ranked among the pioneer settlers of Central Illi- 
nois. The young couple began their domestic life 
upon a farm in Rochester Township and with the 
exception of one year which they spent in DeWitt 
Count}', Mrs. Miller has since resided here. The 
farm upon which she now makes her home was pur- 
chased in 1858 and for twenty years Mr. Miller 
there engaged in agricultural pursuits, winning for 
himself a place among the leading farmers of the 
county. He was a man of good business ability, 
energetic and progressive and the change which he 
wrought upon his land greatly enhanced its value 
and made it a good source of revenue, so that on 
his death his wife was left in comfortable circum- 
stances. He died on the 8lh of April, 1878, 
resi)ected by all who knew him. In political senti- 
ment he was a Democrat and though he took a 
deep interest in political affairs, as every true 
American should do, he cared little for the honors 
or emoluments of public office. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born four chil- 
dren, two of whom are 3'et living, — Sarah E., wife 
of William H. Crowl, and Mary A., wife of Charles 
E. Vigal. The deceased are, — Eveline, who became 
the wife of George H. Waters and died December 
18, 1870; and Andrew, the eldest of the famil}', 
who died at the age of three years. 

Mrs. Miller is a consistent and faithful member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,, with which she 
has been connected for almost half a century. Char- 
itable and benevolent, she gives to the poor and 
needy and by her acts of kindness has won a large 
circle of friends. Since her husband's death she 
has had the man.agement of the home farm which 



g44 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



formerly comprised twohunrired and forty acres of 
rich land. It has since been divided and the widow 
now has the homestead set apart to her, comprising 
sixty-seven acres. In the superintendence of the 
old homestead she displays much business ability as 
is indicated by its neat appearance. 



-^••£-» 



^=9iE0RGE MORRIS RENSHAW, who is 
(11 (-— farming on section 26, Cartwright Town- 
^^^ ship, was born in this county on the 7th 
of August, 1839. His father, Wiley P. Renshaw, 
was born November 7, 1800, near Salisbury, Ga., 
wlience he removed with his family to Ten- 
nessee and later to Illinois. In Bond County, this 
State, he became acquainted with and married Miss 
Martha Nesbilt, a native of Kentucky, born in 
Bourbon Count}", November 8, 1794. They were 
married on the 31st of December, 1818, and after 
residing in Bond County a sliort time, moved to 
Madison County where the}' remained two years, 
and then came to Sangamon County, where they 
spent the remainder of their lives. Wiley Ren- 
shaw was a great reader, a deep thinker and became 
a profound scholar. He was also quite fond of 
debate and could hold his own in almost any argu- 
ment. His death occurred in 1852, at the age of 
(ifty-two years. His wife long survived him, dying 
in 1885 at the very advanced age of ninety years. 
They were parents of a family of eight children : 
Jane; Mary A., wife of S. Q. Harrison; Margaret E., 
wife of F. Butler, deceased; James, deceased; Bar- 
bara, now Mrs. Houghton; John S.; William P. 
deceased, and George M. 

Our subject spent his boyhood da3's in the usual 
manner of farmer lads and is not unacquainttd 
with the hardships and trials of pioneer life which 
ho shared in common with the family. The land 
was not yet surveyed when his father came to the 
county in 1821, and we thus see that during the 
boyhood of Mr. Renshaw the work of progress 
and advancement had been carried forwai'd in a 
compar.ativel}' slight degree. Having attained to 
mature years, in 186Che was united Iti the holy 



bonds of raatrimonj' with Miss Matilda F. Parker, 
a native of Robinson County, Tenn., and the 
seventh in a famil}' of ten children. She was a 
maiden of some twelve summers when with her 
parents she came to Sangamon County, 111., in 
1852. This worth}' couple were for many years 
members of the Richland Methodist Church, but 
now hold membership in the church at Pleasant 
Plains. They live consistent Christian lives, are 
industrious, hospitable and charitable people. Mr. 
Renshaw operates two hundred and twenty acres of 
land in Cartwright Townshi[) and in connection 
with general farming is engaged in the dairy busi- 
ness, having quite an extensive trade in that line 
which yields him a good income. He has served 
as School Director and is a friend of education. In 
politics he is a stanch supporter of Republican 
principles, having advocated the cause since the 
organization of the party. Unassuming in manner, 
he has lived a straightforward and upright life and 
well deserves a representation in this volume which 
records the life work of the honored pioneers and 
leading citizens of Sangamon County. He has been 
a witness of much of the growth of the county, has 
aided in its development and has watched its 
upbuilding and advancement year by year until it 
occupies a foremost place in one of the greatest 
commonwealths of the Nation. 




lELDING M. NEAL is one of the promi- 
nent and successful agriculturists of the de- 
lightful township of Chatham, where so 
many talented and agreeable men have located for 
life. He resides on section 4, where he owns two 
hundred and forty acres of fine land that is well 
improved, and upon which he has built a com- 
fortable residence and also good barns and out- 
houses. 

Mr. Neal is the son of Stephen B. and Julia A. 
(Wyckoff) Neal and was born in Chatham Town- 
shi[) October 29, 1832. He passed his youth on 
the farm, working for his father up to the time 
when he reached his twenty-first year. His edu- 
cation was the best afforded in those days, but 



-If 



«#*^ 







/ ^-y <>'~i'-t'^'-^s 



/ ^>^./a^iA 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



'■24:7 



was not nearly so thorough as the education given 
children at the present date. 

The subject of our sketch when twenty-one years 
old purchased a small farm, and on the '25th of 
January in the same year was married to Jliss 
Leah M. Greenwood, daughter of John Green- 
wood, one of the early settlers of Sangamon County. 
Her birtii occurred JLa}- 13, 1836. To this union 
have been born seven children, five of whom are 
now living, viz: William Addison, who married 
Miss Rebecca Jeffries and died in Gage County, 
Neb., in the fall of 1888; Julia Ann, deceased; 
John Stephen, who married Miss Lura Hammer 
and resides on the farm adjoining his father's 
residence; Ruthy Jane, who married Henrj' Evans 
and lives in Chatham Township; Henry E., who 
married Miss Leah Walker and lives in Chatham 
Township; Cora L., who is at home witli her parents. 

Our subject's father, Stephen B. Neal, was a na- 
tive of Virginia, being born in that State on De- 
cember 25, 1808. He came with his parents to 
Kentucky when he w.as quite young and afterward 
to niinois in 1828. Both the Neal and Wyckoff 
families settled in Sangamon County at an early 
date, and the parents of our subject were mar- 
ried there. To them were born live children, of 
whom our subject is the eldest. 

Mr. Neal possesses that energy and tact that in- 
variably bring success to the owner, and he is add- 
ing to his popularity and also to his financial 
.standing each year, and ranks high in the esteem 
of this community. 

■i.-'-tI S crri=3 ... 



-S^-, 
e,^^' 




5j APT. HENRY SHREVE BLAIR is an hon- 



ored resident of Illiopolis where he is 
living, retired from active business, in an 
elegant home that is the center of true culture and 
generous hospitality. He was formerly a noted 
horse breeder and one of the successful farmers of 
the county, and still retains his fine farm. In con- 
nection with this biographical notice, a portrait of 
C'apt. Blair is presented on the opposite page. 

The Captain is a son of William and Matilda 
(Dorse}) Bhiir, natives of Pennsylvania. This 



stock was originally of Scotch-Irish blood and 
unites the integrity of one race with the brilliancy 
of the other. Some of the ancestors of our subject 
settled in iSIaryland in Colonial times and from 
there went to Pennsylvania, where his parents were 
born. The father subsequently emigrated to Ohio, 
and became an eminent banker and pork-packer in 
Hamilton. He was one of the pioneers of the 
State and did much toward developing its indus- 
tries and increasing its wealth. After the death 
of the father in 1833, the mother came to Illinois 
to reside and died in Macoupin County in 1875, 
at a venerable age. 

Our subject was born in Ohio, May 21, 1818. 
At an early age he was placed in the private school 
of Frank Goddard in Louisville, Ky. He was a 
bright, apt scholar and advanced so rapidly under 
the tuition of that excellent teacher that at the age 
of fifteen he was read}' to take any position. When 
he was sixteen he went to St. Louis to enter the em- 
ploy of Vairin & Reel, a great firm of steamboat 
owners and wholesale grocers. So well did he per- 
form the duties allotted to him that he rose to the 
position of head clerk, and when the firm dissolved 
and was re-organized as Reel, Barnes & Co., he was 
retained in the same position. When John W. Rus- 
sell was appointed Superintendent of the Western 
river improvements, Capt. Blair, still a youth, was 
called to the arduous position of chief clerk under 
him. So highly was he regarded and so well did he 
fill the place that when the heads of the department 
were changed by special order of William L. Marcy, 
then Secretary of AVar, our subject was continued 
as Chief Clerk and acted in that capacity until 
Congress ceased to make appropriations for sup- 
porting the department. 

After leaving that ofBce our subject was emploj-ed 
in steamboating between Louisville and New 
Orleans on the fine boats "Diana" and "Mohawk" 
and from his connection with those steamers re- 
ceived the title of Captain by which he is still 
familiarly known. He became an influential citi- 
zen of Louisville and had the distinction of being 
elected City Treasurer of that municipality. He 
was honored by re-election to that responsible office, 
the citizens thus paying him a tribute for capable 
administration of the finances of the city. He 



248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



finally resigned that office to accept a position in 
the banking house of^Brown & Gray and was with 
lliein until the firm dissolved. In the month of 
September, 1863. he took up his residence in Ma- 
coupin County, this State, and a year later removed 
to tliis county, having bought a farm in Illiopolis 
Township, which he still retains. He immediately 
beo-an farming on intelligent lines and conducted 
his agricultural operations in a systematic manner 
and after the most improved modern methods. He 
became interested in raising fine horses and was the 
owner of "Brilliant Golddust," the famous horse 
whose descendants are noted for speed and style. 
He added many fine horses to bis stud and became 
widelv known as a successful raiser of stock of the 
best grades. 

In 1886, having accumulated a handsome prop- 
erty and desiring to spend his declining years more 
leisurely, our subject retired from active business 
to the village of Illiopolis, where he has a hand- 
some, luxurious home, whose external surroundings 
are pleasant, and whose interior is furnished with 
rare taste with line old mahogany furniture, while 
many books and lovely pictures add to its attrac- 
tions. 

To the lady who presides so graciously over this 
beautiful home our subject was married November 
13, 1844. During the progress of the wedding 
festivities news was brought that James K. Polk 
was elected President, and this still further enhanced 
the happiness of our subject, politically a strong 
Democrat. Mrs. Blair, formerly Catherine A. Reed, 
is a member of an old Kentucky family and was 
reared and married in her native State. Her other- 
wise happy wedded life with our subject has been 
clouded by the death of four of their six children. 
Two daughters — Kattie M. and Harriet L. died in 
Kentucky in infancy; and one son, Morris B., also 
died there; their son William died in 1887; Harry 
A. is Justice of the Peace in this city an() inherits 
his father's taste for fine horses; George L. is a 
farmer in Oklahoma Territory. Mr. and Mrs. Blair 
have a granddaughter — Catherine Reed Blair, who 
is a young ladj' of rare intelligence and won the 
St. Louis RepuhUcan prize for naming a selection 
of books best adapted for the young to read. 

The Captain is always the same genial, courteous 



gentleman, and is popular with all among bis wide 
circle of acquaintances and friends. He has seen 
much of life and has profited by it, and his remin- 
iscences of his early days are very interesting to 
the listener. His public career was honorable and 
was closed with an unblemished record ; in the busi- 
ness world his name stands among the highest for 
probity and fair dealing; while his private life is 
also irreproachable. 



num A. ENDS. This highly respected 
lan is one of the oldest living settlers 
Springfield, to the site of which he came 
with his parents in 1823. The oldest resident now 
living is Mrs. Taylor, a daughter of Andrew Elliott, 
who came here with the Kellys, who were the first 
settlers here. Mr. Enos has for the past thirty 
years given his entire attention to surveying, an 
occupation to which he particularly devoted him- 
self during his student life. 

Before entering upon the life history of our 
subject it may be of interest to our readers to note 
a few facts regarding his parents. Pascal P. Enos 
was born at Windsor, Conn., in 1770, and Salome 
Paddock, at Woodstock, Vt., in 1791. This couple 
were married in the fall of 1815 and established 
their home in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the spring of 
1817 they removed to St. Louis, Mo., whence in 
the fall of 1821 they went to Madison County, 111. 
While residing there, at the solicitation of the Ver- 
mont delegation in Congress, Mr. Enos was ap- 
pointed by President Monroe, Receiver in the Land 
Office established at what was called Springfield 
District, although there was no town laid out. He 
arrived with his family in September, 1823, and 
opened Ins office in a double log cabin on the 
corner of what is now Third and Jefferson Streets. 
He soon after united with Elijah lies, John Tay- 
lor and Thomas Cox in laying out a town site, each 
having entered a quarter section of land. They 
called the place Calhoun, but the name was after- 
ward changed to Springfield. 

P. P. Enos was in charge of the Land Office until 
Gen. Jackson was elected President and he then 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



249 



engaged in improving his land. He also continued 
in his real-estate transactions and was engaged in 
mercantile pursuits. When he was called from 
time to eternity in 1832, the place which he had 
assisted in platting was quite a village, Second and 
Jefferson Streets being its center. 

The gentleman whose name introduces these 
notes was born in St. Louis, Mo., September 29, 
1821, and was scarcely more than an infant when 
lie came to Central Illinois. His early education 
was obtained in the old-fashioned log school bouses, 
but he afterward enjo3'ed better school privileges, 
studying in the Springfield Academy, the Jesuit 
Universitj' in St. Louis and Illinois College, at 
Jacksonville. He gave particular attention to 
mathematics with a reference to civil engineer- 
ing, but after leaving school read law with Messrs. 
Baker & Bledsoe, Judge Matheuy being in the office 
at the same time. 

After being admitted to the bar Mr. Enos en- 
tered into the practice of his profession in Spring- 
field in partnership with James H. Matheny, but 
after a time he gave up the profession and became 
a commission merchant. Three years later he 
turned his attention to his original purpose — that 
of becoming a civil engineer and surveyor — and to 
this he has since given his exclusive attention. He 
was at one time County Surveyor and he has done 
much of city surveying also. He is quite largely 
interested in city real-estate and has made an addi- 
tion to the town. He has served the community in 
the capacity of Alderman ten years and has been a 
member of the Board of Education for an equal 
length of time. His labors in behalf of all that 
will elevate the status of the citizens, materially, 
morally or intellectually, are duly appreciated by 
those who enjoy the pleasure of his acquaintance 
even by those to whom he is not personally known. 
The political adherence of 'Sir. Enos is given to the 
Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic 
order, identified with the Blue Lodge, Chapter, 
Council, Comraandery and Consistory, which takes 
him up to the Thirty-second degree. 

The hospitable and attractive home of Mr. Enos 
is presided over by a lady who bore the maiden 
name of Agnes Trotter and who became his wife 
June 10, 1846. Mrs. Enos was born in New York 



City, February 15, 1825. her parents being George 
and Catherine (Imlay) Trotter, who removed to 
this section of the country in 1835. Her father was 
born in Dumbarton, Scotland, in the latter part of 
the eighteenth century, went to the West Indies 
about 1801 and came to the United States some 
years later. After becoming a resident of Springfield 
he was engaged in land speculation until his death, 
which took place in May, 1842. His widow then 
made her home with her son John and is now de- 
ceased. 

Mrs. Enos is a capable housekeeper, an affection- 
ate and devoted mother and an excellent neighbor. 
The family of herself and husband consists of five 
living children: George F., William, Catherine, 
Allen and Louisa. The eldest son is connected 
with the Springfield rolling mill, the second is in 
business in Topeka, Kan., and the youngest is a 
surveyor in the place of his birth. 



^ 



DWIN TOMLIN, the proprietor of Walnut 
one of the finest farms in Sangamon 
ranks among the prominent citizens 
of the community'. Since the age of eleven'years 
he has been identified with the history of the county 
and from boyhood has watched its growth and pro- 
gress, aiding materi.ally in its development and 
upbuilding. The Tomlin family from which he de- 
scended is of English extraction and inColonial days 
was founded in this country. The grandfather of our 
subject, William Tomlin, was born in New Jersey, 
and his father, Almarin Tomlin, was a native of 
Cape May County, that Stale. Emigrating west- 
ward in 1837 he lived upon the farm which Is now 
the home of our subject. He married^Rhoda Smith 
whose father was a Revolutionary soldier. Her 
mother, whose maiden name was Ludluni, was 
of P^nglish lineage, but the Smiths were of Welsh 
extraction. The three families, Tomlin, Smith and 
Ludlum, were all well known and highly respected 
families of New Jersey and lived In that State prior 
to the Revolutionar}- War. 

In this county the father of our subject followed 
farming and became a prosperous citizen. Both he 



250 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and his wife were active in church work and the 
efforts of one were ably seconded by tlie other. 
Their charitable, benevolent and Christian lives 
won them the love and confidence of all and made 
their memory blessed. The father died on the old 
homestead in 1858 at the age of fifty -eight years, 
and the mother died at the home of her daughter, 
Mrs. Mattie Crowder, of Macon, 111., in 1887, at 
the age of eighty-six years. 

Their family numbered thirteen children. Eme- 
line, the eldest, is the wife of Samuel .Sutton, a 
farmer of Menard County, III. ; Louisa is the wife 
of William B. Quinn, a resident farmer of San 
Diego, Cal.; Edwin is the next younger; Jeremiah 
has not been heard from for twenty jears; Harriet 
B. died at the age of two years; Harriet H. is the 
wife of Josiah Reed, of Kansas: James L. makes his 
home in Kansas; Lydia H. is the wife of Josiah 
Alkire, formerly a wholesale merchant of St. Louis, 
now residing in California; Martha is the wife of 
Thomas Crowder, of Macon, 111.; Mary, twin sister 
of ]\Iartha. died at the age of thirteen years; Rachel, 
wife of jNIonroe Rankin, lives in Portland, Ore., 
where her husband is engaged in the real-estate 
business; Rhoda, twin of Rachel, is the wife of 
Stephen Capps, proprietor of a woolen mill at Jack- 
sonville; and Caroline is the wife of Rev. William 
McClung, a Presbyterian minister of Kansas. 

We now take up the personal history of our sub- 
ject, who was liorn in Cape May County, N. J., 
July 29, 1826. Among his earliest recollections 
are his father's home in that .State and the ocean. 
He also retains a vivid remembrance of the time, 
when a boy of eleven years, his eyes first beheld 
the prairies of tlie West. He was the oldest son of 
the family and it therefore devolved upon him to 
aid his father in the labors of developing a farm. 
He helped break the prairie with ox-teams and 
shared in the hardships and trials of pioneer life. 
He began his education in the subscription schools 
of New Jersey, but his advantages vvere necessarily 
limited as his assistance was needed at home. He 
was early inured to hard labor, but thereby devel- 
oped a self-reliance and energy of purpose which 
have proved of incalculable benefit to him in his 
business career. 

In 1854 Mr. Tomlin formed a matrimonial alli- 



ance with Miss Mary Margaret CorrelT, sister of 
Warner II. Correll, whose sketch appears elsewhere 
in this work and in which is given a sketch of her 
parents. She was born in this county and her 
primary education was supi)lemented by a course 
in a Seminary, at Jacksonville. Ten children 
have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin. 
Eva is the wife of Willi.am .Sinclair, a farmer of 
Sulphur Springs, Cass County, 111., by whom she 
has three children, narael}' : Carl, thirteen years old ; 
Lawrence and Allie; Fannie, the second child of 
the family, died at the age of two years. Thomas 
A., unmarried, is a grain-dealer of Browning, Mo.; 
Charles S., who wedded Miss Ella Silvers, is a farmer 
and stock-dealer of Browning, Mo.; Lee C, who 
is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Brown- 
ing, married Bertha Prather; Sally C, Jacob F., 
Annie S., Isaac F. and Frank are at home. Although 
Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin have quite a large family all 
are yet living with one exception. Their beautiful 
home. Walnut Ridge, is one of the finest in the 
county, having more the aiipearance of a city man- 
sion than a country residence, but it seems that 
Mr. Tomlin cannot do too much to enhance the 
happiness of his family and has [irovided them 
with every comfort. Around its genial fireside 
there seems to be an atmosphere of goodwill and 
kindly sympathy, which makes every visitor fecial 
home. A well-spread table satisfies the most epi- 
curean taste and the spacious parlors al)oun<l with 
music, literature and works of art which tell of the 
culture and refinement of the occupants of this 
mansion. The liome received its name from the 
beautiful grove of walnut trees which surrounds it. 
Mr. Tomlin is one of the most successful and en- 
terprising farmers of the county. He raises con- 
siderable corn and hay but these products are all 
used for the feeding of his stock. lie has a fine 
flock of eight hundred sheep; ships annually three 
car-loads of cattle and one hundred lie;id of hogs 
and has upon his farm a herd of fifty finj horses of 
the Clydesdale breed. During his boyhood Mr. 
Tomlin joined the church and for forty years has 
lived a consistent Christian life "growing gray in 
the service of the Lord." He and his family hold 
membership in the Methodist Church, to the sup- 
port of which he contributes with a liberal hand in 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



251 



which he has served as Trustee and Steward for 
many years. In his politics lie is a stanch Prohi- 
bitionist and strongly »ym|)alliizes with the lanor 
movement. A life of industrious effort marked by 
lionest}' and uprightness has made Mr. Tomlin an 
honored citizen and won him the love and confi- 
dence of the entire community. 




^^ATHAN C. ANTLE. One of the most 
,. attractive farms in Salisbury Township is 
it},,jji tliat owned and operated liy the gentlenaan 
above named. It consists of two hundred acres on 
section 29, all placed under excellent improvement 
and carefully managed. It is fertilized by springs, 
and the waters of Branch Creek, upon which it 
borders. Perfect drainage has been secured by the 
use of tiling, and every arrangement made for the 
successful prosecution of the work to which the 
owner devotes himself. The place is beautified and 
made more remunerative by a well-kept orchard, a 
goodl3- supply of small fruits, and buildings of con- 
venient arrangement and pleasing design. 

Our subject is of German descent and the family 
name was originally spelled Andle, but changed 
after the great-grandfather of our subject came to 
America. The ancestral home was in Kentuck>-, 
and there the Rev. John Antle, grandfather of our 
subject, was born and lived for many years. He 
learned the trades of a blacksmith and wagon- 
maker and followed the same in his younger da3-s. 
Being convinced that it was his duty to preach the 
Gospel, he undertook that work, supporting him- 
self by his trades and in farming while doing so. 
In 1829 he came with his family to this State, 
where he continued his former labors both as a 
minister and a worker at blacksmithing and agri- 
culture. He organized the Baptist Church in 
Salisbury Township and four others in the vicinity. 
He served the home church as pastor until his 
death, which occurred when he was seventy five 
years, four months and fifteen days old, and would 
take no remuneration for his services. 

Henry Antle, father of our subject, was born in 
Cuml)erland Count}-, Ky., September 11, 1813. He 



came to this State when sixteen years old and 
grew to manhood on his father's little farm. When 
the Black Hawk War began he wished to enter the 
service, but his father was not willing that he 
should do so. He was married in Salisbury Town- 
ship January 18, 1837, and continued tilling the soil 
here until the spring of 1846. He then removed 
by teams to Iowa, entered one hundred and lifty-one 
acres of land in Jefferson County, improved and 
operated it until 1859. His wife's family wished 
him to return liither and in 18G1 he came back and 
took charge of his father-in-law's place. After the 
death of the owner he bought one liundred and 
twent}' acres of the estate, which he afterward sold 
at an advance of some *900. He then bought 
eighty acres on the Petersburg and Pleasant Plains 
road, where he farmeii until too old to work bard, 
when he moved into .Salisbur}'. He owns seven 
acres, which is devoted to gardening under his 
supervision. He is an active member of the Bap- 
tist Church and has been an efficient helper in 
build ingschoolhouses and churches, was a radical war 
Democrat and has held various township offices. 

The mother of our subject was born in St. Clair 
County, this State, January 25, 1820, and bore the 
maiden name of Nancy Duncan. She is a devoted 
member of the Christian Church and even at her 
advanced age finds ways in which to make herself 
useful. Her father. Rice Duncan, a native of South 
Carolina and a schoolteacher in his earlier years, 
was one of the early settlers in St. Clair County, 
this State. Thence he removed to Morgan County, 
where he farmed for some years, then located near 
Salisbury on the county line, where he improved 
and became the owner of one hundred and seventy 
acres. He was never idle, and having a wonderful 
constitution lived to be eighty-three years old, and 
during his entire life was probably unexcelled in 
industry. He reared a family of ten daughters and 
two sons, one of the latter, Sidney' Duncan, having 
been Judge of Morgan County several years. 

Our subject is the third of the eight children 
whom his parents reared. His brothers and sisters 
are: Sidnej' D., who lives in Salisbury; James S., 
a farmer in that township; Marshall B., a resident 
of Salisbury; Mrs. Sarah A. Bottorff, now of Rich- 
land Station; I^Ua A., Lurania and Martha F., who 



252 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



are with their parents. The natal day of Nathan 
C. Antle was Febniar}' 6, 1850, and his birthplace 
the neighborhood of luka, Jefferson County, Iowa. 
He was eleven years of age when his parents re- 
turned to this county, crossing the Mississippi 
River at Burlington and the Illinois at Beardstown, 
their journey being made with teams. The lad 
attended tlie common schools and as he grew toward 
manhood assisted in working the farm, remain- 
ing with his father until lie was of age. He then 
worked out a year, after which he and his brother 
James rented a faim in Gardner Township. At the 
expiration of a twelvemonth he abandoned that 
enterprise and devoted his attention to trafficking in 
various kinds of produce. 

In 1880 our subject and his brotlier James began 
operating a steam sawmill, which in 1881 they pur- 
chased, continuing their operations therewith in 
this county for some months and then running it 
in Morgan County a 3'ear. It was a portable mill 
and they were enabled to move from place to place 
as the advantages for lumbering led them. In 1884 
they dissolved partnership and our subject operated 
the mill a year, after which the partnership was 
renewed. The brothers operated a farm of two 
hundred acres near Berlin and also carried on the 
milling Inisiness, Nathan having charge of the 
latter branch. 

In 1887 they bought three farms, comprising 
four hundred and ten acres in this and sixty acres 
in Menard County. They then sold their mill 
and turned their entire attention to the pursuit of 
agriculture. In 1888 the connection between (.he 
brothers was dissolved and our subject bought the 
land which he now occupies. He gives his atten- 
tion largely to stock-raising and feeding, caring 
for large herds of cattle and droves of hogs. Three 
or four teams are kept at work upon the estate, 
which, being but twelve miles from Springfield, is 
more than ordinarily valuable. 

At the home of the bride's parents, Thomas and 
Mary Shanahan, June 2G, 1888, Nathan C. Antle 
and Bridget Shanahan were joined in holy wed- 
lock. Mrs. Antle was born in the Emerald Isle, 
and canae to America when quite small. She is a 
devout Catholic, possesses a kindly nature, and is 
devoted to the interests of her husband and her 



little son Henry. Her home is supplied with all 
the comforts of life and made cheerful and attract- 
ive by her intelligence and good taste. 

Mr. Antle possesses unbounded energy and has 
arrived at his higii financial standing by its exer- 
cise, earnest industry and the strictest honesty. 
His personal characteristics are such as to win upon 
those who meet him and many are the friends who 
rejoice in his prosperity. He takes an intelligent 
interest in the affairs of the community, although 
he does not seek public honors nor put himself 
forward in civic or social matters. He votes the 
Democratic ticket. 



^m BNER T. FORD, a veteran of the late war 
(@/-'ll in which he did good service, is a fine t3pe 

III I* of our self-made men. By untiring industry 
^j and the exercise of sagacious judgment, 

and good business faculties he has acquired a good 
farm and is classed among the enterprising farmers 
and stock-raisers of Mechanicsburg Township. He 
is a native-born citizen of this county, his birth 
occurring here October 4, 1840. His father S. W. 
Ford, a native of Virginia was one of the early 
settlers of this section of the State coming here 
about 1830. He carried on farming at different 
times in Buffalo Heart, Williams and Fancy Creek 
Townships. He occupied an honorable place among 
the pioneers who helped to develop the agricultural 
interests of this region and here he rounded out a 
useful life in 18^6, at a ripe old nge. In early 
manhood he was married to Amarilla Enos, who 
survives him and makes her home at Buffalo Heart. 
Mr. Ford was a man of sterling worth and Mrs. Ford 
is connected with the Christian Church as one of 
its best members. 

Abner T. Ford was reared on a farm and enjoyed 
fair educational advantages. On attaining his 
majority he entered upon his life work as an 
employe on a farm, working first for M. Finfrock 
and later with Robert Cass. After the breaking 
out of the war he watched its course with patriotic 
interest and as soon as he was able enlisted to help 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



253 



defend the Stars and Stripes. He became a member 
of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois In- 
fantry, Camp Butler, July 25, 1862, his regiment 
being under Col. J. W. Judy and Capt. M.illory. 
He took part in many battles and displayed true 
soldierly courage and unttinching devotion to duly 
at all times and in all places. During his military 
career he never missed a battle nor a skirmish and 
was out but two days. These were compensated for 
by several expeditions as a scout, for which position 
he proved himself to be admirably adapted as he 
was possessed of a cool nerve, a ready wit and was 
cautious. On his return home from the South his 
train was wrecked, causing much excitement, but 
though he was thrown from a box car he fortunately 
escaped injury. 

After he came back from Dixie our subject 
resumed farming in this county. In 1869 he went 
to Woodson County, Kan., where he remained 
three years. In 1880, he came once more to San- 
gamon County, and bought eighty acres of land 
odfe-half mile north of Dawson, took possession of 
it and immediately entered upon its improvement. 
He now has a substantial set of buildings on his 
place including a comfortable house, a good barn, 
etc., and under his skillful cultivation the land 
yields large crops. He has his farm well-stocked 
and contemplates entering into the business of rais- 
ing good grades. 

Mr. Ford was married October 8, 1874, to Miss 
Rebecca McGinnis, a native of Connecticut, who 
came to this county with her parents. Mrs. Ford 
is a capable energetic woman, and has hearlil}' 
co-operated with her husband in his work of up- 
building a home. Their wedded life has been 
felicitous and has been blessed to them by the 
liirth of one son AVilliam Ord, a namesake of Gen. 
Ord. He is a bright lad of twelve years, who bids 
fair to be a fine scholar from present indications. 

Mr. Ford is a fine example of our self-made men. 
He started in life without a penny, and has never 
received pecuniary assistance from any source. 
All that he is and all that he has is the result of 
his untiring devotion to duty and his excellent 
management of his affairs. He is a man of sound 
head and heart, is shrewd in his dealings and with- 
al upright in his transactions, and all who know 



him testify to the worth of his character. He 
belongs to the Farmers Mutual Benefit Association 
and in politics is an adherent of the Republican 
party. He is a School Trustee and in every ' way 
possible seeks to adv.ance the interests of his town- 
ship. 



•4- 



■if/OSEPH JONES. The mercantile interests 
of this county find no better representative 
outside of the Capital City than Joseph Jones, 
who has for some years been engaged in bus- 
iness in Loami. He is, strictly speaking, a self- 
made man, having begun to do for himself at the 
early age of twelve years, and the financial success 
which he has won and the reputation whicli beholds 
are alike creditable to his mental ability and good 
principles. He has built up an extensive trade in 
the town which he chose as tlie seat of his ventures 
and is one of the most prominent citizens in the 
communitj'. 

Mr. Jones was born May 5, 1838, in Loami. He 
began his work in life in a sawmill, receiving $8 
and $10 per month, according to the worth of his 
services. When seventeen years old he was appien- 
ticed to learn tbe trade of a carpenter and continued 
to work at the business until the summer of 1861, 
when the patriotism which slumbers in the bi'east 
of every true American was aroused, and he enlisted 
under the old flag. July 20 he was enrolle.i at 
Springfield in what became Compan}- C, Eleventh 
Missouri Infantry', for a term of three years. He 
was present at many hard-fought engagements, 
among them being Dallas, New Madrid, Island No. 
10, luka, the siege of Vicksburg, etc. Ma}' 22, 
1863, during the assault on the rebel fortifications 
at Vicksburg he was wounded in one knee and one 
hand. After recovering from the injuries he was 
transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps and 
detailed as a wardmaster and steward in the mili- 
tary hospital at Keokuk, Iowa. He served his full 
term and was honorably discharged August 5, 1864, 
after having won the record of a faithful, eflicient 
and gallant soldier. 

After he was mustered out of the service Mr. 
Jones returned to his former home and as soon as 



254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



arrangements could be made for so doing, em- 
barked in tiie sale of merchandise at Loami. He 
has continued the business, adding to its extent 
from year to year as the country has grown in pop- 
ulation and wealth. His business establislinient is 
neatly arranged, well supplied with carefully- 
selected goods and tlie business is conducted accord- 
ing to the most honorable methods. Mr. Jones has 
been Postmaster in Loami for a period of six years. 
The only social orders to which lie belongs are those 
of Masonry, witli which he lias been identified for 
twenty years, and Stephenson Post, No. 30, G. 
A. R., Springfield, 111., of which he has been a mem- 
ber for ten years. He exercises the elective fran- 
chise in behalf of the candidates who are pledged 
to support Republican principles, as he believes hy 
so doing he will advance the interests of the 
country. 

The wife of our subject was known in lier maid- 
enhood as Miss Laura E., daughter of Major Davis 
of this township, and their marriage rites were sol- 
emnized in Loami, March 17, 1868. To them have 
come five children, who have been named Harry P., 
Josephine, Don, Ray and Raljjh. They have re- 
ceived every advantage which i)arental love could 
compass and are |)reparing for extended usefulness 
in the years to come. 




RS. MARGARET J. POND came to 
Springfield in 1881 at the instance of 
her uncle, the Rev. S. M. Wilson, a Pres- 
byterian minister. Within two years of 
her coming here the Rev. Mr. Wilson, who then 
had charge of the Pleasant Plains Cliurch closed an 
honorable and useful life while still in the midst of 
his career as a Christian minister, his death being 
regarded as a sad loss not only to his church but to 
the community at large. 

Mrs. Pond is the daughter of William and Mar- 
garet (Elder) Ewing, who were residents for many 
years of Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, where 
her father was born and reared. Tlie name of 
Ewing is potential in the political and business 



circles of that State and has many representatives 
of wide reputation. William Ewing was born 
April 4, 1809. As lie grew to manhood he became 
largely engaged in stock-raising and for manj' 
years was known as a successful business man. He 
owned two fine farms and was well-to-do. After 
the death of his wife which occurred September 4, 
1869, he broke up his home and traveled quite ex- 
tensively, engaging a part of the time in the stock 
l)usiness in Kansas, and in 1881 joined his daughter, 
making his home with her in Springfield until the 
time of his death, December 10, 1889. He had 
then attained the advanced age of eighty years and 
tlie last }'ears of his life were spent in retirement 
and quietness. Politically he was quite decided 
in his views. As a young man he affiliated with 
the Democracy and supported Polk for the Presi- 
dency. He afterwards regretted that act, became 
an ardent Whig, and subsequently a Republican. 
To him and his wife were born three sons and one 
daughter. The sons have attained to prominence. 
Thomas, who lives at Oakland, Cal., is President 
of the Land Improvement Company, at Seattle, 
Wash., also of a railroad in California, and is 
hugely interested in mining stock. He has an of- 
fice in San Francisco and in Seattle, Wash. William 
E. lives in New Mexico, where he is engaged in the 
stock- business, being a member of the Wadding- 
ham Com pan 3'. James P. is doing business in 
Northern Oregon, and Mrs. Pond, our subject, lives 
in retirement in Springfield. 

Mrs. Pond was married to S. B. Pond, a dry- 
goods mei'chant at Winchester, Ohio. Her husband 
died six months after marriage and was buried at 
Columbus, Ohio. The Ponds are a prominent and 
influential family well-known in both political and 
business circles. One daughter was born of the 
marriage of our subject, Jessie Statira p]wing, who 
became the wife of H. C. Joy. The latter is a son of 
Prof. Charles A. Joy, who was for many years a 
Professor in Columbia College, N. Y., and is now 
living abroad for the benefit of his health. Mr. 
and Mrs. Joy lived in Denver, Col., where Mr. Joy- 
is President of the Union Smelting Works and he 
also has interests in similar works at Pueblo, Col. 
They were married at Springfield, October 27, 
1886. Mrs. Joy departed this life at her home in 



4^ - #' 





.t). 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



257 



Colorado, October 16. 1890, and was brought to her , 
home in Sijriiigfield, and buried in Oak Ridge 
Cemetery. 

Mrs. Pond resides in one of the many attractive 
homes of Springfield in the enjoyment of surround- 
ing comforts. Slie is a bright, intelligent woman, 
well-informed and com]:)anionabIe, and has gathered 
around her man}' friends from the best people of 
the city. She is known for her generosit}' and 
benevolence and is an earnest and faithful worker 
in the churcli. 



jj^ AMUEL C. HEWITT, M. D. Wiiile .all 
^^^ professional men are accorded great respect 
\\J\Jlj for the talents that have enabled them to 
rise, as it were, above the coujmon callings 
of life, there is no one class that commands more 
universal respect and liking than do physicians, 
who have power to relieve pain, comfort and jjelp 
the sick and distressed, and in a thousand ways 
benefit humanity. We have probabl>- all experi- 
enced those moments when a loved one was lying 
very low and hope seemed almost to have forsaken 
us, and distinctly remember how that same hope 
seemed to regain ground when the cheerful voice 
of the famil\- physician fell upon our car. JMen, 
women and children have faith in the one whose 
skill and knowledge has driven grim Death from the 
dofir. 

It is therefore with pleasure that we present the 
portrait and biography of Dr. Hewitt to the readers 
of this volume. As an influential member of a 
prominent class he has won respect and is univer- 
sall}' conceded to be well grounded in the mysteries 
of the art of healing. lie was born in Ohio, on 
the 1st of September, 1835, and was less than 
one month old when death deprived him of tlie 
gentle care and tender love of his mother, who 
died September 17. 1835. His father, the Rev. 
Jeremiah Hewitt, was a minister of the Lutheran 
Church and in connection with his pastorate devoted 
much of his time to teaching. lie was a man of 
culture, whose influence w."is felt throughout the 
entire community where he lived, and his death — 



July 14, 1855 — was deplored not on h- by his par- 
ishioners, but by the large circle of friends whom 
his upright life had drawn around hhii. 

The gentleman of whom this biographical notice 
is written remained at home vintil the ilealh of his 
father, and in the meantime attended the tlistnct 
school in the winter and helped his fatlier at home 
during the summer season. His common-school 
education was supplemented by attendance in 1852 
at the Delaware High School. At an early age he 
had decided to enter upon a iirofessioual career, 
and chose the study of medicine, upon which he 
enteied in 1854. During that and the following 
year he read with I). Ferguson, a physician both of 
the bod}- and soul, who labored at Kirkersville, 
Ohio. Our subject, with his usual energy and de- 
termination, devoteil himself with unremitting 
industrj' to the profession which he had selected, 
and in 1856 came west to Chatham, where he studied 
medicine under A. B. Hewitt, M. D. 

In 1858 our subject entered into partnership with 
Ills former precepior and their connection contin- 
ued for a period of two years. I'pon the outbreak 
of the Civil War he responded to the call of his 
countrj' and enlisted in Con)[)any A, Third Illinois 
Cavalry, with assignment at Camp Butler. His 
skill as a phj-sician was soon called into service and 
he was detailed info the Medical Department, where 
he remained until he was honorably discharged, 
April 15, 1863, on account of physical disability. 
From the battle-fields he returned inunediatel}' to 
Chatham and after one year his health improved 
sufflciently to permit him to resume the practice of 
his much loved profession. In 1873 he took a 
course of lectures in the Cincinnati Eclectic Medi- 
cal Institute; on February 15, 1878, he received a 
certificate of ability from tlie State Board. 

Dr. Hewitt h.as been twice married. His first 
wife was in youth Miss Caroline E. Hawkins and 
they were united in marriage January 17, 1858. 
His second wife bore the maiden name of Lucy M. 
Hawkins, .and was a sister of the first wife. She is 
a most estimable lady, whose genuine worth is widely 
known. A native of Brookfield, N. Y., she was 
born October 4, 1844. Dr. and Mrs. Hewitt have 
one adopted daughter, Mary, who was born Febru- 
ary 15, 1867, and who has received the advantages 



258 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of a Iboroiigh education. Socially he is a member 
of Chatham Lodge, No. 52.3, A. F. & A. M.; Auburn 
Chapter, No. 92, R. A. M., and Council No. 2, 
Sprino-fleld; Elwood CJommandery, No. (5, K. T. ; 
Stephenson Post, No. 30, G. A. R. ; Benevolent 
Order of Elks, No. 58, Springfield, and of tiie 
National Medical Association. For tlie past twenty- 
four 3ears he has been an active worlier in tlie 
Masonic fraternity, having at different times held 
all tlie offices in the Blue Lodge. He is at present 
Treasurer of the Illinois State Eclectic Medical 
Society, having been elected to that office in 1889 
and re-elected in 1890. Politically he is a stanch 
Democrat and a firm believer in the principles of 
that party. 



11 SAAC D. POORM AN is a native of this county 
and is classed among the most progressive 
l_\ farmers and stock-raisers within its bounds. 
Ills father, .lolin M. Poorman, was a iirominent 
pioneer settler of Williams Township and our sub- 
ject now owns and occupies the old homestead that 
he redeemed from the wilderness. 

John M. Poorman was born in Franklin County, 
Pa..and in 1830 removed with his parents to the pri- 
meval wilds of Lancaster County. He was reared 
as a farmer and received a fair education. He 
learned the trade of a tanner but he followed the 
calling to which he had Ijeen bred the most of his 
life. In 1843 he came to Sangamon County-, mak- 
ing the journo\- with a wagon, and he purchased 
here three hundred acres of land in AVilliams 
Township, which he subsequently improved. He 
was a stock-dealer for many years and acquired a 
goodly amount of property. He was a stanch ad- 
herent of the Republican party and was a personal 
friend of Abraham Lincoln. One of the most im- 
portant events in his life was his marriage April 9, 
1840, to Martha S. Bush. She was born in Fair- 
field County, Ohio. October IG, 1822. Her parents 
were William and ISIary (Graybill) Bush, who were 
natives of Lancaster County, Pa., and were among 
the first people to settle in Fairfield Count3-, Ohio, 
where he carried on farming. While yet in tlie 
early flush of manhood he died in 1823 at the age 



of twenty-five years. His widow did not long sur- 
vive him, her death occurring in 1832. The}' were 
the parents of two children, of whom tlie mother 
of our subject is the only one now living. For 
nearly forty years of her life she has been a true 
member of the Presbyterian Church. The father 
of our subject died March 10, 1889, at the age of 
seventy-four years. He was a man highly respected 
and was influential in his community. 

liaac D. Poorman was born in this county De- 
cember 25, 1851, and was one of ten children, of 
whom six are living. He gained in the local 
schools a good education and on the old homestead 
where he was reared a sound practical knowledge 
of farming. In the spring of 18G9 when he was 
eighteen years old, he went to Allen County, Kan., 
which was then on the frontier, and he witnessed 
many scenes in border life, .as he w.as present in 
Kansas during the Indian depredations wlien raids 
were often made from the Indian Territory. He 
clerked in a general merchandise store for five 
years, and in the spring of 1875 returned to this 
State to resume the calling to which he had been 
bred. He located on a farm owned by his fatliei', 
which he has since purchased. It comprises one 
hundred and sixty acres of land of exceptional 
fertility-, which he is cultivating to the best advan- 
tage. He makes a specialty of Jersey cows, and 
has as fine a herd of that breed as can be found in 
the State. In the management of his interests he 
has shown himself to possess sagacity, discrimina- 
tion and intelligence which have jtlaced him 
.nmong the most skillful farmers and stock-dealers 
of this section. 

Our subject is partly indebted for his present 
prosperous circumstances to the fact that in his 
marri.age on the anniversaiy of his birth, 1872, to 
Miss Mary F. Hamblin, he secured the assistance 
of one who has been to him all that a devoted wife 
can be. Mrs. Poorman is a native of Kansas where 
her marriage occurred and is a daughter of William 
Hamblin, who emigrated thither in an early d.ay 
and was there engaged in farming. Five children 
have come to Mr. and Mrs. Poorman, as follows: 
Susie F., Perry R., John M., Arthur L., and a bal)y, 
Robert B. Both Mr. and Mrs. Poorman are among 
the active members of the Methodist Episcopal 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



259 




Church, and are always glad to help forward any 
movement that will elevate the religious or social 
status of the township. Mr. Poorman votes the 
Republican ticket. He is considered one of our 
most reputable citizens and possesses that firmnegs 
and force of character without which success is 
unattainable in anv walk in life. 



-..♦<»^^<A^..o*o~ 



ENRY W. JAMESON. This young gentle- 
man is now operating his father's farm of 
five hundred acres in (iardner Township 
and carrying on one of the most extensive 
enterprises in the township. About four hundred 
.acres of the land is tillable and altogether it forms 
as good a stock farm as can be found in the coiuil.y. 
It is supplied with large substantial farm l)uildings 
of various kinds, and the other improvements 
which stamp it as the home of a prosperous and 
progressive man. Some of the improvements have 
been made b}' our subject since ho rented tlie place, 
and those which had previously been made are kept 
up in first-class style. 

In the paternal line Mr. .Jameson is of Irish 
lineage, his grandfather, Samuel Jameson, having 
been born in County Derry in 176.5. When he was 
eighteen years old that gentleman crossed the At- 
lantic and located in Ohio County, Va., where he 
farmed until his death. His wife was born in New 
Jersey in 1772, and was a lineal descendant of the 
renowned Scotchman, Sir William Wallace. In the 
family of this worthy couple was a son Samuel H., 
who was born in Ohio County, Va., and being left 
an orphan at an early age was reared by strangers. 
He learned the trade of a harness and saddle-maker 
in Wheeling, W. Va., and afterward acquired the 
hatter's trade. He then went to Licking County, 
Ohio, where he worked until after his marriage, 
when he engaged in farming. 

In 1850 Samuel H. Jameson came to this county 
and bought prairie land for $12.50 per acre. He 
made his home upon it, gradually increasing the 
estate until he became the owner of about six hun- 
dred acres, which he operated until 1886. He then 
retired to Springfield, where he now lives, enjoy- 



ing all the comforts which his abundant means per- 
mit and his tastes render desirable. He is a member 
of tlie Church of (Jod, and in politics is a Republi- 
can. Success having attended his efforts, he has 
been generous with his means in ways which would 
promote the welfare of this section. Among other 
ways in which he contributed to this end was the 
giving of the right of way to the Ohio & Missis- 
sippi Railroad. 

In the spring of 1837 Mr. Jameson was married 
to Laura Wells of Licking County, Ohio, who bore 
him three children, viz: (ieorge, a hardware mer- 
chant in Farmers City; Mrs. Lucy Cannon, now of 
Smith County. Kan.; and Mrs. Alice Maxey, whose 
home is in Bates, this county. The present wife of 
Mr. Jameson was formerly Miss Phebe Vowell, a 
native of Licking County, Ohio. Seven children 
have been born of this union, viz: Mrs. Lura 
Willis, now living in Portland, Ore. ; Mrs. Fanny 
Campbell, whose home is in Nebraska; Samuel, an 
hotel-keeper in Decatur; Mrs. Belle Cummins, liv- 
ing in Gardner Townshi[); the subject of this no- 
lice; Mrs. Jessie Cox, of Chatham; Maggie, who is 
with her parents. The father of our subject has 
reached the age of four-score years, while the mother 
is now about sixty-eight. 

Henr^' W. Jameson was born August 11, 1858, 
on section 28, Gardner Township, where he now 
resides. He received his education in the district 
schools and was reared in the manner customary 
to farmers' sons. At the early age of fifteen years 
he assumed charge of the estate and began the ca- 
reer of an agriculturist, which he h.as since been 
prosecuting so successfully. In the fall of 1883 he 
went to New JNIoxico and spent some time travel- 
ing throughout the mountains. Having returned 
to the old home, in 1885 he rented five huiidred 
acres and again turned his attention to tilling the 
soil and st3ck-raising. He is a careful farmer, al- 
ternating his crops so as to produce the best results 
and raising none but good grades of cattle, hogs 
and horses. At the head of his herd of forty 
horses is a five-year-old stallion, weighing sixteen 
hundred pounds and having seven-eighths Cl\'iles- 
dale blood. The animal bears the name Sherman 
and is a fine specimen. 

The lady who presides over the home of our sub- 



260 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ject became his wife February 20, 1884, the mar- 
riage ceremony being perforraefl in Springfield. 
vSlie bore tlie maiden name of Mary E. .Simms, was 
Lorn in Gardner Township and is a daughter of 
Tliomas and Mary E. II. (Robison) Simms, wlio 
are farmers here. Mr. Simms is a native of the 
Buclveye Stale and his wife of this county. Mrs. 
Jameson was carefully reared, well instructed in 
practical knowledge of various kinds, and is well 
qualified to fill a position of importance in the 
home and society. To Mr. and Mrs. Jameson two 
sous have been born who bear the names of Henry, 
Jr., and Hugli. 

Mr. Jameson is unusually well informed and his 
public spirit and enterprise correspond with his in- 
telligence. He is President of the District School 
Board and labors earnestly to promote the cause of 
education. Politically, he is a Republican, stanch 
and true, and he has served the interests of his 
party as a delegate to county conventions. Ilis 
social qualities are such as to render him extremely 
popular and he is looked upon as a man whose fu- 
ture [)romises to be very useful. 



fOHN AVELSLEY ELLIOTT is the oldest 
citizen of Springfield, in point of residence, 
since the death of Judge J. Mathenj', his birth 
having occurred in this city. May 17, 1822, 
near where the coal shaft is now found on Eighth 
Street. He is a son of Andrew Elliott, who came 
to this place in 1819, and whose birth occurred in 
Rutherford Count}', N. C. sixteen miles from Rutli- 
erfordton, about 1792. 

Our subject's father married Miss Zilpha Kelly 
in Uutlnu'ford County and after their marriage they 
removed to S|)ringtield by means of a wagon, bring- 
ing with them their two children and experiencing 
many hardshiiJS on the journey through the wild 
country. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 
and the gun he carried in that war is now in the 
possession of our subject. While in North Caro- 
lina he followed farming as an occupation and after 
coming to Illinois, to what is now Springfield, 
camiied upon the ground that now forms the 



part of this beautiful cit}' bounded Jyy North 
Grand Avenue on the north and on the west by 
Walnut, on the south near Calhoun, and on the 
east by the section line east of First Street. On 
that land he tented for awhile after reaching tliis 
township, for at that time there was but one cabin, 
and that was built by Elisha Kelly in 1818. After 
raising' one crop he brought his family in 1819, 
his cabin being just south of what is now Miller 
Street and on Fourth Street. At the first land sale 
in wliat is now Springfield, Andrew Elliott entered 
the eighty acres^ that he had first camped on, and 
his father-in-law, William Kelly. John Kelly, Elisha 
Kelly, and John Kelly, his brothers-in-law. also 
entered land, settling on Jefferson,' about one-quar- 
ter mile west of First Street and there the first 
court was held in John Kelly's house and contin- 
ued to be held there until the log court-house was 
built on Jefferson, between First and Second Streets. 
Previous to the land sale Mr. Elliott lived on 
Eighth Street,' where the subject of our sketch 
was born, and at a later date owneti the one hundred 
and sixty acres of land where the Coal Shaft and 
Rolling Mills now stand, and at the timelof his 
death also owned one hundred and sixtj- acres north 
of the city on Spring Creek in one bodj' and two 
eighty-acre tracts at other places, owning in all four 
hundred acres in or near Springfield. When he 
reached this place he had onl}' $1, and he went to 
Alton to mill the first j-ear, hauling corn from 
Edwardsville until he was able to raise crops of his 
own. Hs continued to devote his time and atten- 
tion to farming and stock-raising, and for a few 
years kept an hotel on the south side of First Street, 
west of Jefferson. He fought in the Black Hawk 
War and was also in the Winnebago War, carrying 
the same gun he had used in the War of 1812. He 
was not an office-seeker, but took great interest in 
public affairs, and was verj- fond of hunting and 
other active sports. He was much respected and 
widely known .at the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in 18G4. His wife died in 1842, and of their 
four children, onl}' two are now living, viz: Sarah, 
widow of Isaac Taylor who lives near Dawson, and 
the subject of our sketch. 

Our subject received a good education and made 
his home with his parents up to the lime of his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



261 



marriage, which tooli place just one month before 
he reached liis twenty-first year. He was united 
in matrimonial lionds with Miss Alissa Baldwin of 
Gardner Township, in April, 1843, and they first re- 
sided where the Rolling JNIills now stand, and after- 
ward in Irish Grove, Menard County, for several 
years, returning in 1859. He crossed the plains to 
Denver when the gold excitement broke out, going 
to Pike's Peak via Leavenworth and Smoky Hill, 
and remained in Pike's Peak until 1862, then 
went to Idaho, by water to Portland, up the Colum- 
bia River to Wallula, and then b3rland to Florence, 
where he remained for some time and met with ex- 
cellent luck. In the same fall he went to Baker 
County, Oregon, then to Idaho Basin, where Idaho 
City now stands, having first gone there with goods 
for his Oregon employers, and after settling that 
satisfactoril}', he carried mail from Salt Lake City 
to Idaho City when there was not a white settler 
on the road, except two ferrymen on Snake River. 
He made the four hundred and fifty miles in six 
days with six hundred letters on his horse, worth 
$1 apiece. Later, he with a companion went to the 
mines at the head of the Columbia River, going on 
horseback through the wild and unbroken countrj', 
and passing what is now Spokane Falls. 

Mr. Elliott in returning from the Columbia River 
to Springfield started on horseback and through 
seven hundred miles was entirely alone, the whole 
trip averaging three thousand or four thousand 
Diiles. He returned by the way of Idaho, and 
though the Indians were very hostile at that time, 
he had no trouble with them. After reaching 
Springfield in 1865, a week before Christmas, our 
sulijeet settled down until 1870, at which time he 
made a trip through Kansas with a party, prospect- 
ing for land. He also made a trip to Texas, 
expecting to enter the cattle business with A. 
Saunders, and bought some cattle. At various 
times Mr. Elliott went through Colorado, and was 
at ihe Black Hills during the contest with Sitting 
Bull, beholding some of the most noted fights. The 
same summer of the Custer M.assacre, our subject 
accompanied bj' but two men, went to the Big 
Horn Mountains, Wyo., meeting Sheridan and his 
party. From Wind River he came home by 
waj' of Denver in a wagon part of the way and 



down the Arkansas River and by To[/eka, Kan. 
That was about 1875 and in 1884 he took the train 
to Spokane Falls, where he bought horses and went 
over much of the old ground, making the trip back 
from Idaho in a wagon with two horses to Spring- 
field and he still owns one of the horses so used. 
This trip took two and a half years, our subject 
camping out wherever night happened to overtake 
him, occupying his time with fishing, hunting and 
enjoying the charms of Nature. 

Mr. Elliott returned home in 1887, buying and 
building at his present place on the corner of Maple 
and Bond Streets, and is at present retired from 
active business. He is a member of the Masonic 
order and Royal Arch Masons. Few men have seen 
more of pioneer life than has the subject of our 
sketch, or possess a better knowledge of human 
nature and the natural resources of our countr3\ 

Our subject has three children dead and seven 
living, viz: Robert, who served three years in the 
Civil War; James IL, Sarah E., wife of James 
Dunlap (both being doctors); Harriet, wife of A. 
Langford, of Springfield; Andrew J., Calvin L., 
John L., who recently started for California. 



'-^^>(^^^i^^^f^^f^<-^ 



Sfl OHN W. FREUND. One of the most flour- 
ishing music stores of .Springfield is that of 
John W. Freund, who carries a fine line of 
pianos and other musical instruments, sheet 
music and music books, at No. 514 south side of 
the Square. Although Mr. Freund has been engaged 
in this business but two years, he is one of the 
heaviest dealers in the city, a fact which is no doubt 
largely due to his own musical talent. Being him- 
self a fine musician, he handles only the finest goods 
and recommends nothing Init what is first-class, 
either in instruments or music. 

Stephen and Maria K. ( Bantes) Freund are natives 
of Germany, the former having been born in 
Colilent/., Prussia. After their marriage they came 
to the United States, crossing the 'ocean in 1850 
and making their home in .lolinsburgh, McHenry 
County, this State. About two years after their 



462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ai-rival, January 6, 1852, a son was born to them, 
whose life history is the object of this notice. Tlie 
father is still engageil in farming in McHenry 
County, and tlie mother also is living. 

Our subject received his early education in the 
parochial schools of his native place, afterward 
attending the public schools in McHenry. In his 
eighteenth year he entered the Teachers' Seminary 
to prepare himself for the profession of teaching, 
pursuing his studies thereuntil he was Lvvonty years 
of age. In 1872 he came to Springfield and took a 
position as teacher and organist of the Church of 
SS. Peter and Paul. He retained his connection 
with tiie work of that church until 1877, when he 
returned to his native place and embarked in busi- 
ness. Fur three years he pursued a successful 
career as a general merchant, and at the same time 
was Postmaster, then, selling out, returned to the 
Capital to fill a position in the Wabash Railway 
office. 

Two years later Mr. Freund became book-keeper 
for John Bressmer, whom he served faithfully for 
three years, then accepted the position of book- 
keeper and manager of the Crystal Bay Ice Com- 
pany with wiiicli he remained two years. "We next 
find Mr. Freund engaged with Matheis & Scott one 
year, then embarking in the business which he is 
now carrying on and in which he has already worked 
up so fine a tiade. Mr. Freund is much interested 
in the Workman's Building & Loan Association, of 
which he has been secretary for five years. During 
that time its shares have increased from one thou- 
sand to thirty-five hundred, and its condition has 
become one of solidity and prosperitj^ The 
money of the Association finds a ready market and 
the corporation adds to the number of home-makers 
and home-owners. 

Mr. Freund has been Chorister in the Church of 
the Immaculate Conception for seven years, al- 
though his membersiiip is in the Church of SS. 
Peter and Paul, a German-Catholic congregation. 
During the past five years he has been musical direc- 
tor of the Germania Maennerchor and he has also 
been director of the Germania Orchestra for many 
years. He belongs to the Society of St. Vincent 
de Paul. In politics Mr. Freund takes no particu- 
lar interest, but as a private citizen can be relied 



upon as law-aliiding. interested in the common 
welfare and zealous in whatever he undertakes. 

Tlie lad}- who presides over the home of our sub- 
ject was formerly known as Miss Lizzie Dugingcr. 
She was born and reared in this city, her parents 
being Lawrence and Theresa (Carl) Duginger. She 
became the wife of our subject October 7, 1879, 
and has borne him five children. Two sons and 
one daughter are deceased, and two bright boys — 
Lawrence and Otto — brighten the fireside. 



<^ MLLIAM WALLBAUM is one of the lead- 
\/\J// iug farmers of this county and the second 
\^y^ largest landowner in Cartwright Township. 
His real estate now amounts to twelve hundred and 
eighty-six acres, the home farm being a quarter of 
section 11, well improved in every particular, and 
forming a home of great comfort and even luxury. 
In the accumulation of this fine jiroperty much 
credit is due to Mrs. Wallbaum, who lias borne a 
fair share in the good management from which it 
has resulted. 

Mr. Wallbaum was born in Hamburg-Lippe, a 
small province of Prussia, July 9, 1837, and is one 
of ten children comprising the family of Ernest 
and Sophia Wallbaum. Two only are now living 
and in this State. Frederick L. married Barbara 
Riser, and makes liis home in Morgan Count}'. 
Our subject received his early education in his 
native land but in order to better his condition 
embarked for America on the sailer "Augusta" 
and landed at New Orleans after a voyage of eight 
weeks and four days. His objective point was St. 
Louis, l\Io., where he engaged at the trade of a shoe- 
maker. When he reached the city he had but 
twenty cents, and twenty-Ore was asked by a dray- 
man for hauling his trunk. He borrowed the ad- 
ditional amount and having secured work was able 
by close economy to support himself during the 
winter. In the spring he came to this county with 
a farmer who had shipped a load of hogs to St. 
Louis, and worked for him three months for $25. 

Young Wallbaum continued to work by the 
month for five years, then purciiased eighty .acres 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



263 



of land on section 1 2, and from time to time, as 
his affairs prospered, added to Iiis landed estate. 
The first purchase was made in 1864 and he subse- 
quently bought as follows: One hundred and sixty 
acres on section II. in 1867; one hundred and 
sixty on section 14, in 1870; one hundred and 
sixty on section 14, in 1876; one] hundred and 
sixty on section 2, and three hundred and twent\' 
on section 11, in 1881; one hundred and twenty 
on section 2, in 1885; and one hundred and twenty- 
four on section 1, in 1889. He also owns two acres 
of timber land on section 35, which was one of his 
first purchases, and he has paid from ^20 to $60 
per acre for the various tracts. 

Mr. Wallbaum was reared in the Lutheran faith 
and confirmed in that church, but he now belongs 
to the Missionary Baptist Church at Ashland in 
which he holds the office of Deacon. Mrs. Wall- 
baum and all the cliildren, except one, also belong 
to the same church. In the political, educational 
and religious affairs of this section our subject has 
borne an active part, being as deeply interested in 
the welfare of his adopted country as though it 
were the land of his birth. He is a flrst-class man 
and citizen, deserving of the respect with which he 
is regarded by those who know him. 

Mrs. Wallbaum bore the maiden name of Eliza- 
beth Chittick. She is a daughter of Henry and 
Margaret (Robinson) Chittick, the former of whom 
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, whicii was 
also her own birthplace. She is one in a family of 
twelve children, all Jiving but one, and eight be- 
sides herself being residents of this State. One 
brother lives in Melbourne, Australia, and a sister 
in California. When nineteen years old Mrs. 
Wallbaum came to this State with her brother 
Robert and her uncle, James Chittick, and about a 
year later became the wife of John Robinson. The 
young couple made their home in Morgan County 
where Mr. Robinson died in 1859. The union was 
blest by the birth of five children: Joel, deceased; 
Hardin R. and Jesse are at home; Mary married 
John Dalson and is living in Morgan Countj', 111.; 
Hardin married Miss Emma Heisler and has four 
cliildrcM. Harry L., Annie M., Elsie E. and Beulah 
iL, his home being in Cartwright Township; he is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



B}' her second marriage Mrs. Wallbaum has he- 
come the mother of five children. Of these'Lizzie 
A. died when sixteen years old; Emma F. became 
the wife of L. Hurt and died at the age of twenty- 
four j'ears; William C. married Minnie Wood, of 
Morgan County and died when twenty-two j'ears 
old; Ernest A. and Frederick C. are still living. 
Mrs. Wallbaum is a member of the same religious 
society as her husband and stands side by side with 
him in the respect and goodwill of their acquain- 
tances. 



<JYJAMES M. martin. The home of this 
genial, pleasant gentleman is situated on sec- 
tion 24, Cotton Hill Township, where he 
owns eighty acres of fertile land. This 
township has been almost the life-long home of 
Mr. Martin, as he was brought here when but a lit- 
tle child, and grew to manhood amid the scenes of 
farm life. His memory recalls many different 
scenes from those that now meet his view when he 
looks about him, and he realizes the changes that 
have taken place since his boyhood. He has 
been somewhat instrumental in accomplishing the 
result, and may well be proud of his connection 
with the development of a great State. 

Our subject is of Southern parentage, both his 
father and mother having been born in Virginia. 
In the Old Dominion, George Martin and Leah 
Fahs were joined in the bonds of wedlock, and first 
set up their home. In a few years they removed 
to Ohio, and after sojourning there two years, 
changed their location to this county. The first 
twelve months spent here were in German Prairie, 
but they then settled on section 24, Cotton Hill 
Township, where they remained until called from 
time to eternity. They reared two sons and four 
daughters, our suljject being the third in order of 
birth. 

In Licking Count}-, Ohio, the eyes of James M. 
Martin opened to the light of day June 15, 1832. 
He was reared to farm pursuits and chose to adopt 
his father's occupation as his own. On February 1, 



i64 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



1855, lie led to the hyineiieal altar a lady who 
proved her genuine worth in the household until 
April 24, 1879, when she entered into rest. .She 
had borne the maiden name of Mary Williams and 
was born in this county December 26, 1836. She 
became the mother of seven children, named re- 
spectively: George B., Mar}- F., James H., John E., 
William L., rh<Ebe A., and Susan A. 

Mr. Martin has held several local otBces and dis- 
charged the duties pertaining thereto in a satisfac- 
tory manner. He was Township Supervisor and 
Assessor each one term, Highway Commissioner 
three terms, and was also Constable; and was School 
Director twenty-four years. In politics he is iden- 
lilK'd with the Democratic party, in whose princi- 
ples he firmly believes. He is highly regarded by 
his fellow-men and the members of his family 
receive their due share of the respect and good will 
of the community. 



5^^>H0MAS REES, the Treasurer and Business 
Manager of the Illinois Slate liegisier, was 
born in the City of Alleghen}', Pa., May 
13, 1850. His father was the late William Rees, 
a newspaper man of Pittsburg at that time, and 
who afterwards published newspapers at Keokuk, 
Iowa, and other places in the West. 

The subject of this sketch was nine years old 
when his father died, and he commenced to learn 
the printers' trade in his brother's ofHce in Keokuk 
when he'was thirteen years of age. He continued 
in the employ of his brother until 18G9, when he 
went to St. Joseph, Mo., where he accepted the 
situation of a night pressman on one of the morning 
papers. In 1871 he retired temporarily from the 
printing business and journeyed into the rolling 
[)rairie lands of Nebraska, with the intention of pre- 
empting land. After looking over a few counties 
in this State he concluded not to locate and footed 
it back to the nearest railroad. In the same year 
he returned to Keokuk and accepted a situation in 
the job department of the Gate City Printing Com- 
pany's ofllce. He continued here until July, 187G, 
when he formed a partnership with his co-laborers, 
Messrs. George Smith, and II. W. Clondenin, which 



existed until the death of the former in 1885, and 
continues with the latter at the present time. The 
nevv partnership purchased the Keokuk Constitu- 
«iV)», which hail lieen until this time a losing insti- 
tution, but with the new firm and with Mr. Rees as 
business manager, the venture proved a financial 
and journalistic success, and the Constitution be- 
came one of the best newspaper properties in the 
State, and was sold at a very good price in June, 
1881. 

In February, 1 879. Mr. Rees was married to Flora 
Adelia Huston, a daughter of L. W. Huston, one of 
the oldest and best known settlers of Southern 
Iowa. His young wife died in March, 1881, fol- 
lowing the death of their only child but two days 
before and he has never remarried. 

In 1881 the State Register bankrupted and was 
thrown upon the market. It was purchased by the 
firm of which Mr. Rees was a member, and the Con- 
stitution in the meantime being sold, he assumed the 
business management of the new institution where 
he has remained ever .«ince. During part of the time 
his partner was Postmaster, he filled the position of 
managing editor in addition to his other duties. 
He is what may be termed an all-round printer and 
newspaper man, and since his commencement in the 
business has filled every position in the profession; 
commencing as a roller boy, he has been pressman, 
engineer, job printer, book-keeper, editor and 
manager. He was for several years a member of 
the Executive Committee, and is now Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Illinois Press Association and has been 
a delegate to the National Editorial Association 
on several occasions. He was Chairman of the 
Democratic City Committee, of Springfield, 111., in 
1888 and 1889, is a member of the Royal Arcanum 
and of the B. P. O. Elks. He has by invitation 
prepared severrl papers on advertising for the 
Illinois Press Association. He has also written 
several series of interesting letters for his paper 
while traveling, and as a pastime has written some 
poetry for publication. He belongs to a family of 
which several members are printers, and his brothers 
run printing oflices in Omaha, Neb., St. Josejih, 
Mo., and Keokuk, Iowa. 

An historical sketch of H. W. Clendcnin is i)re- 
sented elsewhere in this volume. 




-■■ ■ i 



# 



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(n^J\% i^Jkyir^-Vtf 






J' 





/^Ucru^ CA-t^u>^^ 



(^l^T-T>-eAjy^^ ^.^^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



269 



,OBERT C. BYKRS is the owiipr of a fine 
farm of one liuiulred an<) ninety-seven acres 
<^ \\\ situated on section 28, Kocliester Town- 
^\@ship. His father, Jacob Byers, was .a na- 
tive of Jefferson County, Va., and tiiroughout liis 
entire life followed farming in pursuit of fortune. 
He married Catlierine Ernst, also a native of Jeffi^r- 
son County, and in that State they spent their en- 
tire lives. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson 
County, on the 19th of December. 1835, and in 
the State of liis nativit}' was reared to manhood, 
performing sncli farm labor as was allotted to him 
and securing an education in the schools of the 
community. It was not until his marriage that lie 
left the parental roof and started out in life for 
himself. On the 26th of February, 18G1, he led to 
the hymeneal altar Miss Eliza J. Crider, daughter 
of Jolin and Eliza (Sibcrt) Crider, the former a 
native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. 
Mr. Crider was a miller by occupation and followed 
that trade during the greater part of his life. He 
died in Jefferson County, Va., where the death of 
his wife also occurred. 

Mrs. Byers was born in Washington County, 
Md., April IG, 1838. The young couple began 
their domestic life in Jefferson County and lived 
in the vicinity of their first home until 1870, when 
they determined to locate in the West, and made a 
settlement in Sangamon County, 111. For a year 
they lived near Pawnee, and in the spring of 1877 
removed to Woodside Township, where they re- 
mained for seven years, at the expiration of which 
time they settled on section 28, Rochester Town- 
ship. Mr. Byers purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of land and b}' subsequent purchases has in- 
creased the boundaries of his farm until it now 
emprises one hundred and ninety-seven acres, 
lie is a practical, yet progressive man, who under- 
.•■tands ills business in all its details and has there- 
fore been quite successful in his undertakings. 
Good improvements enhance the value of his prop- 
erty and stand as monuments of his thrift and en- 
terprise. His life has been a useful one marked by 
many noble acts, deeds of charity, and works of 
love. At the age of seventeen years he w.as con- 
vertel and joined the Methodist Church, of which 




he lias since been a consistent member. His wife 
also holds membership in that church and like iiim 
delights in doing good. They have won the last- 
ing regard and love of many by their ujiriglit lives 
and the esteem which is given them is justly de- 
served. They have a pleasant home in Rochester 
Township where hospitality abounds and a warm 
welcome is extended to their friends. We invite 
the attention of our numerous readers to the por- 
traits of Mr. Byers aiul wife which accompany this 
sketch. 



f/ IM AN S. ANDERSON is one of the lead- 
ing photographers of Springfield and is an 
artist of great merit. He has a handsome 
and capacious gallery at Nos. 511 and 513 East 
Washington Street, where he is extensively patron- 
ized by the best people of the city. 

Mr. Anderson was born in Madison County, N. 
Y., April 30, 18-17, and is a son of the Rev. L. 
Anderson, a former vvell-known and honored min- 
ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was 
also a native of New York .State. He early mani- 
fested a religious nature, and when a young man 
entered the Methodist ministiy as a member of the 
Central New York Conference. He married Miss 
Susan Pratt, of New York, and in 1852 they came 
to McHenry County, this State. Mr. Anderson 
continued actively engaged in the ministry and was 
prominent in his church during a long and useful 
life. He worked to the very last and at one time 
had charge of the Rockford Chnrch. He died in 
Januarj', 1889, at the venerable age of eighty 
years. His widow and six children survive him. 

The gentleman of whom we write remained with 
his parents until he was eighteen years old and in 
the meantime completed his education at Rockford. 
After that he learned the portrait business with his 
brotlier, who was at that time a photographer in 
Rockford. Mr. Anderson spent .some years there en- 
gaged at his profession, and subsequently carried 
it on in Chicago whence he came to this city in June, 
1871 to engage with an old artist here. 

In 1873 Mr. Anderson opened a gallery for him- 
self, and has ever since conducted a prosperous 



270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



business as a photographer on his own account, and 
now has one of tlie finest and largest galleries in 
the city, he having been established here longer 
tliaii any other pliotographer with one exception. 
He gives general satisfaction to his patrons, as he 
is a true artist and executes finely finislied photo- 
graplis. 

Our subject was< married September 13, 1875, to 
Miss Sadie E. P.artram, of this city, a daughter of 
Weils Bartram who died while in the array during 
the late war. To them have come two children — 
George C. and Hermione. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson 
own and occupy one of the handsomest and most 
tastefully fitted up residences in the city, pleasantly 
located at No. 638 West Monroe Street. Mr. An- 
derson is warmly interested in all that concerns the 
welfare of the ciiy and generously helps in forward- 
ing all schemes to elevate its social and religious 
status or promote its material welfare. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Uniformed 
Rank; is connected with the Ancient Order of Uni- 
ted Workmen, with the IModern Woodmen of 
America, Red Men and Mystic Circle and was Rep- 
rfsentative from the Knights of Pythias to the 
(;iaiul Lodge in 1890. 

(l^ENRY C. LATHAM, President of the Ab- 
~j) stract and Title Guarantee Company at 
Springfield, and Secretary of the Sangamon 
Loan and Trust Company, occupies an im- 
portant position in the business world as represented 
ill ihis part of the country. He is a native of Elk- 
hart, and is a descendant of one of the early pioneer 
families of this St^ale. 

.Judge James Latliam, the grandfather of our 
subject, was an early pioneer of Central Illinois, 
and was for several years a man of prominence 
anioi g t)ie early settlers. He was a native of 
Ldudoun County, Ya., where he was born October 
iTi. 1 7G8. When a young man he became a pioneer 
of Kentucky, where he was married to Mary 
Hriggs, June 21, 1792. His wife was of Scotch 
paientage. In 1819 lie removed with his family to 




Illinois, locating in what is now Logan County, 
which then formed a part of Sangamon County. 
He and his son Richard built the first mill that was 
ever erected nortii of the Sangamon River, said 
mill being put up at Elkhart in 1822. Prior to 
that the nearest mill was at Edwardsville, in Madi- 
son County, more than one hundred miles distant. 
AVhen Sangamon County was organized Mr. Latham 
was ."ippointed Judge of the Probate Court, May 
27. 1821, and served in that capacity with distinc- 
tion. He was subsequently appointed Indian Agent 
with his headquarters at Ft. Clark, now Peoria, 
to which he removed with his family. He became 
a great favorite witli the Indians and treated them 
with justice and fairness. An old settler living in 
Menard County tells with great unction of an 
Indian dance that he witnessed at Judge Latham's 
house, and also of a distribution of tobacco among 
the red men. The Judge carried an armful of the 
dried leaf into the midst of the assembled savages 
and threw it down for them to scramble for. He 
said he could not divide it among them otherwise 
without being charged with partiality and the plan 
satisfied tlie Indians as being the right one. The 
Judge died in Peoria, December 4, 1826, and thus 
passed away a man whose force of cliaracter and 
genuine abilit}^ made him an influence among his 
fellow pioneers, who lamented his untimely death. 
His widow returned to Elkhart, where she passed 
her rennaining days. 

Judge Latham's son Richard was the father of 
our subject. He was born December 23, 1798, in 
Bowling Green, Ky., and came with his pareuts to 
Sangamon County in 1819. He was twice married 
and liis second wife was Mrs. Margaret Broadwell, 
whose maiden name was Stephenson. To them 
were born thirteen children. Richard Latham 
passed away June 5, 1868, at the age of three-score 
years and ten, and his wife departed this life in 
1886 at an advanced age. 

Henry C. Latham came to Springfield in 1853, 
and engaged his services as a dry-goods clerk. In 
1857, at tlie instance of a relative, he went to Du- 
buque, Iowa, where he entered the office of an in- 
surance agent. A year thereafter he secured a 
similar position in Springfield, which he soon gave 
up to enter the County Clerk's oflice. wliere he re- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



271 



inaiiied two years. After that he was engaged in 
Ridgely's Bank, .and while there tried his hand at 
sheep husbandry. 

In 18G1 our subject was selected as first assistant 
Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk of the House of 
Representatives of the State Legislature. During 
.Sharon Tyndale's terra as State Auditor Mr. Latham 
was engaged as bis clerk two j'ears. In the niean- 
tirao he bought the interests of IS'icholas Strott in 
ihe abstract business, which he prosecuted in com- 
pany with Paschal P. Enos till he bought out his 
partner, and has since been identified with the busi- 
ness of making abstracts of titles. In 1872-73 he 
was Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, though 
he still continued in the abstract business. In 1880 
the firm became Latham & Souther and under their 
management the business has been made very suc- 
cessful. In 1886 the Sangamon Loan and Trust 
Company, of which Mr. Latham is Secretary, was 
organized, and in 1889 the Abstract and Title 
(iunrantec Company was formed and he was made 
its prosi'ilent. Tlie business of tliese corporations, 
both of which are an outgrowth of the abstract 
business, vvith which our subject has so long been 
connected, is large and highly satisfactory to all 
that sust'xin b'.iiinsss relations therewith. 

Mr. Latham is also Treasurer of the Home of 
the Friendless, a position which he h.as held for the 
past fourteen years, and during these years he has 
given much time and attention to this institiition. 
lie is a Republican with strong Prohibition tenden- 
cies. He is a member of the Christian Church in 
Springfield, and takes an active interest in its 
every good work and has the confidence of the 
coiiiniuiiily. 



-o»o-^^<A^..o*o.. 



^^EORGE W. CONSTANT, a retired farmer, 
(I[ J—- residing in Williamsville, is in every way a 
^\^^ rei>resentative man of this county. He is 
the son of one of its early pioneers and is himself 
clas8e<l among those vvho liavo been prominent in 
its n|)lniilding. A long and honorable career has 
brought him wealth and has placed him among 
the iurtnential citizens of his community. 



Mr. Constant was born in Winchester, Clark 
County, Ky., October 23, 1818. ftis father, Isaac 
Constant, was born in tlie same I'lace, April 3, 
1789. He was reared on a farm and in 1826 came 
to Sangamon Count3^ 111., to prospect for land, but 
lie was not pleased with the country and returned 
to his native State. He, liowever, changed his 
mind about locating here and in 1830 removed to 
Sangamon County, making the journcj' with 
wagons, and settled in Williams Township among 
its early pioneers. He purchased a large tract of 
land and entered five hundred and sixty acres. He 
and his family lived first in a log cabin under the 
primitive conditions of life in a newly settled 
countrj-. Mr. Constant died December 25, 1854, 
and Sangamon County lost then a valuable pioneer, 
wlio had taken a very active part in its develop- 
ment. When he was quite a young man he enlisted 
to serve in the War of 1812, but peace was declared 
soon after he entered the army. He was a zealous 
member of the Christian Church and a thoroughly 
good man in every respect. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John 
Constant, was born and-reared- in Virginia, his 
family lieing of French descent. He was one of 
the early settlers of Kentucky. The mother of our 
subject, who was in her liiaideii days Am^' Dean, 
was a native of Virginia, and she died July 7, 1860, 
aged sixty-eight years. She was a true and up- 
riglit woman and adevotcti member <jf the Christian 
Church. 

George W. Constant, who is the snbject of this 
biography, is the oulj' one of a family of eight 
chililren now living. He was born in a log cabin 
in Clark CV>unt3', K}'. He obtained his early 
schooling in rude log sehoolhouses with punchefui 
floors, slab seats and rude open fire-places, the chim- 
nies being made of sticks and clay. He was not 
ahle to attend school very much as the burden of 
labor fell on his shoulders at an early age, and he 
was obliged to assist his father on his farm. He was 
twelve years old when the familj- came to Sanga- 
mon County, and as he is familiar with all the in- 
cidents of its early settlement, it is interesting to 
converse with him concerning the |)ioneer days of 
this |>art of the State. In 1839. the year he at- 
tained his majority, his father gave him a small 



272 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



farm, and with characteristic energy he entered 
upon its improvement, working hard at splitting 
rails for fences and in placing the land under cul- 
tivation. He met with'more than ordinary pros- 
perity, and in years of busy toil accumulated a 
handsome ])roperty. He owns three fine farms, 
including his father's old homestead, which con- 
tains two hundred and ninety-two acres, his two 
other imi^roved farms comprising one hundred and 
sixty acres each. He retired from farming in 1857 
and removed to Williamsville where he iias since 
lived. He was in the dry-goods business for four 
years. 

Mr. Constant has been twice married. The 
maiden name of his first wife, to whom he was 
united in marriage November 26, 1840, was Mar- 
tha B. Stewart. She was born in Illinois in 1821, 
anrl was a daughter of James and Roxanna (Stil- 
man) Stewprt. Her parents removed from New 
York to Illinois in 1820, and were among the early 
settlers of Sangamon County. Three children 
were born to our subject of that union — William 
S., James H., and Mary Ann — all of whom are liv- 
ing. Mrs. Constant departed this life June 1, 1850. 
She was a sincere Christian, a member of the church 
of that name, and left behind her the record of a 
well-spent life. 

October 7, 1852, Mr. Constant was wedded to 
Miss Mary W. Stapleford, a native of Delaware 
and a daugtiter of Edward and Mary (Williams) 
Stapleford, natives of Delaware and Maryland re- 
spectively. Her father died September 9. 1852, 
and her mother September 27. Both were consis- 
tent members of the church. Mrs. Constant is the 
only living representative of a family of seven 
children. Slie is an intelligent woman of a fine 
character and has taught school in several States. 
Notwithstanding that she has been blind since 1878, 
she is always cheerful and pleasant and is kindly in 
her relations to all about her. 

During a residence of sixty years in Sangamon 
County. Mr. Constant has made many strong 
friendships and is widely and favorably known 
throughout this region, his probity and integrity 
giving him a high place among our best citizens. 
lie was reared a Whig in politics and joined the 
Republican party in 1866, and has voted with it 



ever since. He is strongly in favor of Prohibition 
and of every other reform that will elevate the 
social and moral status of the countrj-. Though 
he has never aspired to office he has served as a 
member of the Board of Trustees in Williamsville, 
and has been President of the Board. Both he 
and his wife are zealous members of the Christian 
Church, he having joined it in early life and for 
the long period of forty years has served it as 
Deacon and has been an Elder of the Church eleven 
years. 

Mr. Constant was well acquainted with Presi- 
dent Lincoln, with whom he was on terms of 
friendship. He was one of the jury when his 
friend tried cases in court and he remembers many 
of Lincoln's best jokes. Our subject is a man of 
fine physical proportions, six feet in height, and 
during the exciting campaign when Lincoln was 
elected President he was selected to act as rail- 
splitter to represent Mr. Lincoln on a wagon drawn 
by twenty-one yoke of oxen, August 8, 1860, in 
Springfield. 



W;ILLIAM HAGGARD BAIN, M. D. It is 
often remarked that men are always dis- 
^ ^ contented with their situations and sur- 
roundings and never ready to admit that they have 
enough of this world's goods. Dr. Bain is an ex- 
ception to this rule, being perfectly satisfied with 
his practice and the income which he derives 
therefrom. He is located at Springfield. The 
scholarly traits of Dr. Bain are inherited from 
educated ancestors, and his gentlemanly bear- 
ing is also natural with him. His grandfather, the 
Rev. John Bain, was born in Scotland, was a class- 
ical scholar and a polished gentleman. He emi- 
grated to America, locating in Sumner County, 
Tenn., where he was engaged in the ministry of 
the Presb3'terian Church for over fort}' 3'ears. He 
was also occupied to some extent in farming. 

Dr. Edward C. Bain, son of the gentleman above 
mentioned, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., 
and was first graduated from a military school in 
the eastern part of the State, He then entered the 
University of Tennessee at Nashville and was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



273 



gracUiated fiom the military departraent. When 
the Civil War broke out he entered the Confeder- 
ate Army as drill master and worked his way to 
the position of Colonel. After the war he prac- 
ticed medicine in liis native State for a time, then 
removed to Arkansas and farmed until 1868. He 
next came to Carbondale. this State, resumed his 
profession and sojourned in that place until 1872. 
His next location was at Pleasant Plains, this 
county-, where he is still located. He is numlieied 
among the leading physicians of the county. His 
wife was Sarah Hardin, a native of Alabama, who 
died in Arkansas in 1867. The family consists of 
two children — our subject and his sister, Irene. 

t)ui subject was born in Gallatin, Tenn., August 
20, 1865, and after the death of liis mother was 
placed in chaige of his Grandmother Bain, in Hay- 
wood County, Western Tennessee. He leraained 
there u)itil 1875, when he came to his father at 
Pleasant Plains. He had already enjoyed the 
advantages of the common schools and he 
now continued his studies at Springfield. In 1880 
he entered the employ of Isaac Diller, a druggist 
in Springfield, and studied pharmacy under him 
until 1883. He then became a clerk in the drug 
store of A. G. Ruggles, in Ashland, still devoting 
ills leisure moments, as he had been doing for some 
time, to the study of medicine. In 1886 he en- 
tered the medical department of the University of 
Tennessee, from which he was graduated in 1888. 
He at once located in Farmingdale and has already 
become prominent as a [jhysician and surgeon. 

The graces of mind and heart possessed by Miss 
Helen Douglass, a native of Ashland, this county, 
won the deep regard of Dr. Bain and after a suc- 
cessful A'ooing the 3'oung couple were united in 
marriage, October 24, 1889, the ceremony being 
performed at the residence of the bride's parents. 
Sirs. Bain is the youngest but one in the family of 
William S. and ^'irginia (Jobe) Douglass, and the 
three others who are now living reside in Ashland. 
Mr. Douglass was born in Adair County, Ky. He 
is now engaged in the hotel business in Ashland, 
where he settled a number of ye,ars ago. He was a 
veteran in the late war. holding the otiice of Ser- 
geant in the One Hundred and l-'ourteenlh Illinois 
Infantry. Mrs. Douglass was born near Virginia, 



in Cass County, this State, her father, Archibald 
Jobe, being an early settler there, whither he had 
come from Maryland. 

Dr. Bain is Examining Physician for several 
insurance companies, belongs to the American 
Medical Association, the Central Illinois Medical 
Association and the P. F. E. Association at Nash- 
ville, Tenn. Politically he is a strong Democrat 
and religiously a devoted Presbyterian. 

■^OHN HENRY McGUFFIN. This gentle- 
man is the proprietor of an hotel in lUiop- 
olis, where the traveling public find good 
arrangements for their material comfort and 
receive a pleasant welcome from the genial and 
kindlv host. More important, however, than his 
work as an hotel keeper is the labor performed by 
Mr. McGutHn .as a minister of the Gospel. He has 
been the human instrument in the reorganization 
of a disbanded congregation and the upbuilding of 
other bodies of worshipers, and is humbly grateful 
for the good which he is able to .'iccomplisli in the 
Master's vineyard. 

The father of onr subject was John C. McGuffin, 
who was born in Kentucky in 1824 and was a sol- 
dier in Lopez's expedition against Cuba. He died 
in this county near Illiopolis, November 27. 1871. 
The mother of our subject was born in Scott 
County, Ky., June 18, 1818, and is still living. 
She bore the maiden name of Martha Stapp. lie 
of whom we write was born in Scott County', Ky.. 
May 29, 1844, and is the first-born of f-even chil- 
dren. He accompanied his parents to this State in 
1857, and since that time has lived in this county 
with a few years exception. He attended the pub- 
lic schools, adding to his fundamental education 
by a course of study at the Mechanicsburg (111.) 
Academy, an excellent school for its day. He 
spent the intervals of study in farm work until the 
patriotic spirit which filled his breast was so thor- 
oughly aroused by the attempt upon' the National 
life that he could no longer remain at homo. 

In July, 1862, when but eighteen years old, Mr. 
McGuffin enlisted in the Tenth Illinois Cavalrv, 



274 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



which was commandei by Col. Wickeisham, of 
.S|)ringfiel(l. He was mustered into the service as 
a member of Company G,and sent to Helena, Ark., 
taking part in the battle at that place. The regi- 
ment was on scouting duty in tliat region, and 
young McGufHn had many thrilling experiences in 
connection with their encounters with the guer- 
rillas. He was present when Little Rock was cap- 
tured and with that point as a center he and his 
comrades scoured the country for many miles. At 
the close of his term of enlistment lie was granted 
a furlough, and at its expiration rejoined his regi- 
ment of veterans at Nashville, Tenn. Thence they 
were sent to the old stamping ground in Arkansas, 
and guarded Grant's march to Milliken's Bend 
during the expedition against Vicksburg. 

Fiom Helena the Tenth was sent against a force 
lying at Ft. Smitli, but after a forced march of one 
and a half days through the swampy land they 
were ordered back to camp. The three days were 
passed without extra rations, and as a result of tlic 
exposure, insufficient food and iiard marching Mr. 
McGuffln was taken witli fever. He was sent to 
the hospital at St. Louis, Mo., remained tliree 
months, then partially recovered, rejoined his 
regiment. He was sent to New Orleans and 
took part in the capture of a crew that ran the 
gauntlet of guns there, a feat without parallel in 
mofkrn warfare. He was mustered out June 5, 
1865. as Corpor.al of Company G, having passed 
unscathed through the dangers incidental to the 
life of a cavalryman during his long service. 

Returning to this county, Mr. McGufBu resumed 
farming near lUiopolis, continuing the occupation 
until 187.5. He then removed to Oxford, Ind.,and 
engaged in the livery and hotel business, but after 
a time disposed of his interest there, returned 
hither and embarked in the hotel business in 
lUiopolis. In 1886 he was called to the ministry 
at Mt. Auburn, III., for which a long experience of 
Bible study and Sunday-school work had tilled 
liim. After six months of arduous effort he suc- 
ceeded in reorganizing the church with a member- 
ship of seventy, and after two years of humble, 
earnest work, looked upon a vigorous band of Chris- 
tian people numbering one hundred and fifl}', 
which is a power in the community. He then be. 



gan Gospel work at Palmyra, Scottville and Chap- 
man's Point, and a strong band has been brought 
together, and at Modesto an elegant church is 
being built. Jlr. McGuffin is a natural orator and 
his services are in demand on Decoration days and 
the Occasions of the burial of Grand Army com- 
rades, as well as the legitimate work of the church. 
His success depends upon his earnestness rather 
than his brilliancy as a speaker. 

Mr. McGuffln united with the Christian Church 
at Long Point when eighteen years old. His array 
life and experience are commemorated by his 
membership in Morgan Post, G. A. R. He belongs 
to the Masonic fraternity, and, true to the princi- 
ples which he (irst advocated as a personal and so- 
cial measure, he is an ardent Probibitionist. His 
pure life, zeal in the Master's work, and kind- 
liness of disposition, win the respect and friendship 
of those who know him and add the weight of his 
example to the precepts which he promulgates. 

Mr. McGuffin was fortunate in securing for his 
wife a lady who is highly esteemed for her Chris- 
tian character and excellent disposition. She bore 
the maiden name of Amanda Dickerson. was born 
in this State and represents a pioneer family, her 
grandfather, James Hunter, having come here in the 
Territorial period. The ceremony which united 
the lives and fortunes of Mr. Mc(Tuffln and Miss 
Dickerson was solemnized September 24, 1867. 
Mrs. McGuffin fully sympathizes with her husband 
in his religious belief, and is a member of the 
same church .is he. 



-i-«-i-=&^^=i-»-^ 



^DWIN B. MILLAR. The agricultural in- 
g terests of this county are being rapidly 
/ji — ^ advanced b}^ men of less than middle age, 
many of whom are natives of this section and 
take a just pride in continuing the work which was 
instituted by their respected progenitors. Reared 
to farm life and frequently becoming the comfort 
and slay of their parents in their declining years, 
these young men, while not abandoning the old 
and tried methods, are ready to give ear to new 
theories and investigate all which seems to give 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



275 



promise of increasing their facilities or improving 
tiieir circumstances. One of this energetic and 
progressive class is the subject of this biographical 
sketch, whose home is in Williams Township. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
John Millar, a native of Virginia who located in 
Scioto County, Ohio, about 1800 and there prose- 
cuted the calling of a farmer. He died in 1856 at 
the ripe age of threescore and ten. Among the 
members of his family was a sou Charles who was 
born in Ohio and followed the same occupation as 
his father. Charles Blillar came to this county in 
1854 and during tlie first year of his residence 
farmeil on rented land. He then ()urchase(I a large 
tract in Williams Township, where he operated as 
a stock dealer, his princi|)al trade being in cat- 
tle. He was a prominent and highly-respected 
citizen and an influential member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. He was called from time to 
eternity April 19, 1888, at the age of sixtj--seven 
years. His wife bore the maiden name of Rebecca 
Millar and is a native of Ohio. She is still living 
and is now sixty- eight years of age. She is a con- 
sistent and respected member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Her famil}- consisted of seven 
children, but only two besides our subject are now 
living. 

The gentleman of whom we write was born in 
Scioto County, Ohio, July 80, 1853, and became 
a resident in this count}' while still in his infanc^y. 
He pursued the common branches in the public 
schools and acquired a good practical knowledge 
of the more important topics of study. Ho has 
always remained at home and until the death of 
his father, assisted in the management of their ex- 
tensive interests. He owns four hundred acres of 
improved land all in a body and continues his stock 
business with which he became thoroughly convers- 
ant under his father's instructions. For several 
years he has been making a specialty of Berkshire 
hogs and he also deals quite extensively in cattle. 

Realizing that it is uot good for man to live 
alone. Mr. Millar won for his companion Mary 
Miller with whom he was united in marriage Feb- 
ruary 21, 1888. The bride, who was born in this 
State, is a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Harris) 
Miller who are natives of Ohio and are numbered 



among the early settlers in this county. Mrs. Mil- 
lar is a well-educated, earnest-minded and i)leasiiig 
lady whose social qualities and Christian cliar.-ict^r 
endear her to the hearts of many friends. She is 
the mother of two children. — William and Frank. 

Although Mr. Millar believes in the doctrines 
laid down in the Republican platform and upliolds 
them by his vote, he takes no active part in ijolit- 
ical affairs. He finds sutlicient outlet for his 
afwunding energy in the conduct of his business 
affairs, in which he displays qualifications thatstanip 
him as a "chip of the old block." He is gentle- 
manly in his bearing, hospitable in his spirit and 
domestic in his tastes, thoroughly enjoying his 
pleasant home and the intelligent society which he 
and his wife have drawn about them. JNIrs. Millar 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

^ ^^ V- 




ADE. The lands beyond the sea have 
sent their quota of farmers to this county 
and many have won an honorable station 
as citizens, agriculturists and neighbors, 
winning their way under discouraging circum- 
stances and the disadvantages attending a stranger 
in a strange land. One of this chtss is the subject 
of this brief life history, whose example may well 
be emulated, affording as it does a lesson of per- 
sistent industry, wise economy and hi)pefub)e!'S 
even when the skies were dark. 

Mr. Ade was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, 
August 2, 1832, and puisued the usual studies 
under the educational system by which the Enipiie 
fits her sons and daughters for the Italtle of life. 
His parents, Jacob and Margaretta Ade, were na- 
tives of the Fatherland, the former born in 1 80G 
and the latter in 1810. The accounts he had read 
and heard of the resources of the New World and 
the opportunities afforded the poor man, led Mr. 
Ade to bid adieu to his native land and cross. the 
broad Atlantic to establish a home under fairer 
skies. He landed in New York City with S50 as a 
capital, and came directly to Sangamon County, 
arriving liere in the spring of 1858. 

The ways and manners of Americans were some- 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



what strange to IMr. Ade. who began his life here 
undei- adverse cireii instances, with only his phj^s- 
ieal strength to rely upon for support. His flrst 
employraent was as a farm hand at §12 per month 
but as he continued his work his services became 
more valuable to his employer, and after the ex- 
piration of a year he engaged for two years at 816 
per month. He subsfqnenlly received |;20 per 
month for a long period, after which he rented a 
farm and broke prairie for a twelvemonth. He 
now owns a good estate of over one hundred acres, 
on which many improvements have been made, 
such as befit the home of an intelligent, thrifts- 
man who desires to enjoy life in the best way. 

In 1863 Mr. Ade led to the hymeneal altar a 
young woman who has proved her worth in the 
home by judiciously managing the honseiiold af- 
fairs and surrounding her family with comforts 
and attractions. She bore the maiden name of 
Lizzie Kafer, resided in New Berlin Township at 
the time of her marriage, 'and is a daughter of 
German parents. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ade 
consists of three children — Margaretta, John and 
Elizaljctli, all at home. The mother is a Catholic, 
while the father belorigs to the Lutheran Church. 
Although they have had the misfortune of much 
sickness in their family, our subject and his cstim- 
al)le wife see around them well tille<l fields, good 
buildings and a nmarkably fine orchard set cmt by 
Mr. Ade and bearing abundance of fruit each year 
— .ill won by their honest efforts and frugalit)'. 



f, 



<if? OHN McGRAUGH is the owner of one hun- 
dred and thirteen acres of fine farming land 
on section 5, Gardner Township, the entire 
amount of which ;s under cultivation with 
the exception of eleven acres of timber land. He 
devotes his energies to the raising of grain and 
also pr.ys considerable attention to stock-raising, 
making a specialty of fine hogs. His home is situ- 
ated about nine miles from Springfleld and its neat 
and tasty surroundings combined with the fine ap- 
pearance of the farm indicate the owner to be a 
man of enterprise and thrift. As Mr. McGraugh 



is well-known throughout the community, a sketch 
of his life will lie received with interest by our 
readers. He was born in Cartwright Township, 
this county on the 6th of November, 1860, and is 
of Irish descent. His father Michael McGraugh, 
was born in County Walesford, Ireland, and when 
a young man left his native land for the new 
world. He settled in Plymouth, Pa., a short dis- 
tance south of Philadelphia, where he was employed 
in a quarry and also engaged in teaming. It was 
during his residence in the Keystone State that he 
met and married Sarah Sheridan, a native of 
Count}' Cavanaugh, Ireland, and a second cousin 
of Phil. Sheridan. She remained in the Emerald 
Isle until seventeen years of age when unaccom- 
panied by any friend or relative she came to 
America. About 1850 Michael McGraugh with 
his family removed to Illinois locating in 
Cartwrigl'.t, where for a time he worked at fifty 
cents per da}'. Later he rented land and at length 
having by industr}' and economy acquired some 
ca[)ital, purchased eighty acres of land on the 
Beardstown road where he farmed until his death, 
which occurred in 1881 at the age of sixty-five 
years. He was a member of the Catholic Church 
and atliliated with the Democratic party. His wife 
still survives him and is living on the old home- 
stead at the age of sixty years. Their children 
five in number are Sarah, now Mrs. Heav}', of 
Bradfordtown ; Thomas W.,a farmer of Cartwright 
Township; John of this sketch; Mrs. Catherine 
Baggs who is living on the old homestead, and 
Mrs. Mary Chambers of Springfield. 

The days of his boyhood and the years of his 
maturity John McGraugh lias spent in this county. 
.\s soon as he was large enough to reach the plow 
handles he began work upon his father's farm and 
the occupation to which he was reared he has 
chosen as a life work. During the winter season 
he attended the district schools where he acquired 
a good English education. After the death of his 
father he assisted his mother in the management of 
the home farm until 1886, when he left the parental 
roof for a home of his own. On the 8th of Sep- 
tember of that year in Virginia, Cass County, 111., 
he wedded Miss Virgie Miller, who was born in 
Gardner Township and is a daughter of Mathias 




^.c/^. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



279 



and Martha (Ross) Miller, the former a native of 
Germany, and the latter of Kentneky. In 1834 
her parents bec.ime residents (^f this county and 
Mr. Miller was one of its substantial farmers, his 
landed possessions ag'<;re!>;rating four hundred and 
fifty acres. Three children graced the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. McGraugh, but the fiistborn, Victor, 
died at the age of two months. Twin boys Harry 
M. and Ilalbert M., gladden the home by their 
presence. Mr. McGraugh is a member of the 
Farmers Mutual Benefit Association, of S.alisbury 
and is a Catholic in religious belief holding mem- 
bership in the Immaculate Conception Church, of 
Springfield. In political sentiment he is a Demo- 
crat and for two years served as Assessor, proving 
a competent and faithful official. He is a well 
informed man on all general to|)ics and is worth}' 
of representation in the history of his native county 
which records the lives of its pioneer settlers and 
prominent citizens. 



€"-^^- 




EUBEN S. BROWN. This gentleman is one 
of the large landowners of Aulnirn Town- 
ii \\\ ship, and one whose fine estate is a stand- 
)ing monument to the industry of his life 
and the prudence of his management. He began 
his personal career with very small means, having 
only about $100 in cash when he was married. He 
now owns about twelve hundred acres of prime 
farming land, bearing various improvements, such 
as adapt it for the abode of intelligent people of 
good taste, and make it a fine medium for farming 
and stock-raising. 

Our subject was born in Woodford County, Ky., 
March 9, 1826, and was about three years old 
when his parents, Bedford and Caroline A. 
(Springer) Brown, came to this State. The father, 
who was a carpenter by trade, established himself in 
J.acksonville, but after living there some three years 
bought a farm in the county. There both he and 
his wife entered into rest. The early life of our 
subject was chietly spent amid the surroundings 
of farm life, and after the manner of other boys at 
that period. He acquired such book knowledge as 



the schools of the vicinity afforded facilities for, 
and as years passed on took a constantly increasing 
share in the farm vvork. He remained under the 
jiareiital roof until his marriage, and for some 
three or four years afterward continued to reside 
in Morgan County. He then came to lliis count}', 
and securing land in Auburn Township h.as con- 
tinued his labors here since the S|)riiig of 1856. 
Farming and stock-raising h.as been his life busi- 
ness. 

Mr. Brown won for his wife a lady of most 
estimable character, who has abundantly shown 
her worth in the home and in society. She bore 
the maiden name of Sarah Wright, is a daughter 
of .lohn and Mary Wright, and was born in Iven- 
tucky. Her marriage was solemnized in Morgan 
County, whither her parents had removed, and 
where her father owned and operated a farm. 
Eight sons and daughters comprise the household 
of Mr. and Mrs. 15rown. Charles is a physician, 
now located in S|)okaiie Falls, Wash.; AVilliam is 
associated with his father in the lumber business, 
in Divernon; .lohn is engaged in farming; Mary is 
the wife of Abraham Kenny; Bedford is an attor- 
ney in Hastings, Neb.; Samuel is a farmer; (ieorge 
is a clerk in Divernon; Frederick is pursuing his 
studies in the Jacksonville (111.) College. The 
various members of the family, without exception, 
belong to the Presbyterian Church. Their intel- 
ligence and the manner in which they are carry- 
ing on the vocations to which they have devoted 
ttiemselves reflect credit' upon the training which 
they received from their honored parents, and the 
use which they have made of their advantages. 

When the village of Divernon was started j\Ir, 
Brown opened up the lumber and hardware busi- 
uess there, although he did not abandon what has 
been his life work. He has brought the powers of 
his mind to bear upon business, politics, and 
various matters which pertain to the life of the 
community. He long ago decided that the Re- 
publican party stood on the truest foundation of 
public polity, and has conscientiously supported it 
with his TOte. His life of unostentatious i)iety has 
exerted a powerful influence over the beholders, 
while his accumulations make his example a note- 
worthy one, even in a section where prosperity is 



280 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 




the rule. Two brotbers, John and Charles G., are 
living neat- him, and they too are men of wealth 
and influence, occupying beautifvil homes and en- 
joying the respect of all their acquaintances. 

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Brown is (ire- 
sented in connection with this sketcli. 



^ITUS SUDDUTH. But few men have done 
more to develop the agricultural interests of 
*^^p5' this State than this gentleman, who stands 
among the foremost of its energetic, enterprising 
and business-like farmers and stock-raisers. He is 
the largest landowner in Sangamon County, and 
one of the largest in Central Illinois, and is one of 
the wealthiest men of this section. 

Mr. Sudduth was born near Mt. Sterling, Ky., 
February 23, 1821). He is the representative of a 
pioneer family of this county. Ins father, Thomas 
Sudduth, having come here as early as the spring 
of 1834. He was one of the early settlers of Fancy 
Creek Township, vvhere he lived for many years. 
Ho was a native of the same State as bis son, Win- 
chester, Clark County, having been the place of 
bis birth and December 25, 1797, the date thereof. 
He died in Springtield July 4, 1884. He had re- 
sided there for some years and was greatly re- 
spected for his virtuous and upright character by 
the people among whom be lived. He was for 
many years a Justice of the Peace, and he was con- 
nected witli the Methodist Elpiscopal Church as 
one of its most zealous members. 

The mother of our subject was a native of Ken- 
tucky and bore the maiden name of Margaret Mc- 
Creery. She died March 10, 1880, at the venerable 
age of seventy-seven years. She was a devoted 
Christian woman of the Methodist faith, and was a 
church member nearl3' all her life. Four of the 
five children l)orn of her marriage are now living. 

Titus Sudduth received but little education, as he 
could attend school only occasionall}' in his boy- 
hood days, but be bad a bright, keen mind, and 
what be lacked in book learning he has since made 
up by observ.ation and experience. He was reared 
on the old homestead until be was a little past six. 



teen years, remaining an inmate of the parental 
home until that time, and since then he has had his 
own way to make in the world. He began by 
working on a farm for $9 a month, and he had not 
worked long until his employer desired to engage 
his services by the year, as he was so energetic and 
earnest in the performance of his duties and was 
ever faithful to the interests of his employer. He 
was always up and at bis labors at a very early 
hour, never having to be called in the morning, 
and he went about his work as though he meant to 
accomplish something. He carefully saved bis 
earnings and in a 3ear or two purchased a team of 
young oxen and began breaking prairie and im- 
proving a small tract of thirty-eight acres of laud 
which he had inherited. As soon as be was able 
he bought more land, which he cultivated and im- 
proved. He was also interested in raising hogs 
and cattle and fed nearlj' all bis grain. 

There has been scarcely a year when Mr. Sudduth 
has not purchased a tract of land since 1850. He 
worked hard during his early life, was wise in 
economizing, spent bis money wisely and always 
studied how to turn everything to the best advan- 
tage. He has lieen rewarded far beyond his expec- 
tations and has now nearly sixty titles of land. He 
owns ten thousand acres in all, all of which is "ell 
improved, is under a high state of cultivation and 
yields a good income. His liome tract comprises 
Ibirt}- three hundred acres, and he owns five thou- 
sand five hundred acres in Sangamon County, every 
acre of which is fine pasture land or is susceptible 
of cultivation. He has never sold but two or three 
pieces of land in bis life, but has always been a 
buyer. 

In 1877 when the country was suffering from the 
effects of financial depression, Mr. Sudduth decided 
to buy a large number of mule colts to stock up 
bis farm, which enterprise was entirely original 
with himself and seemed novel indeed to his 
friends. Mules, like everything else were cheap 
but scarce. He set three men at work buying mule 
colts in Central and Southern Illinois, and sent a 
fourth man to Kentucky, and in a short time be had 
purchased eight hundred colts which cost from $17 
to §35 each, averaging about §28 a head. Our 
subject kept these mules until they fully matured, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



281 



when he found a ready market for them, there 
being nt times as many as sixteen buyers on his 
farm at once, wanting matched teams. He eohl 
some mules as high as $450 a pair, and for one 
pair refused §600. Those eight liundred mules 
proved a valuable investment to our siirewii far- 
sighted subject and netted liim •i!40,000. with 
whicli he purciiased a one thousand acre farm, the 
income of which in eight years amounted to the 
original cost. 

Mr. Sudduth is also extensively interested in 
raising other stock, keeping on an average about 
eight hundred cattle and several hundred hogs, and 
lias shipped stock to Chicago, Buffalo and New 
York Cit}- for the past thirty-five yenrs. Ho de- 
votes all his lime to his stock and the cultivation 
of his land, and trans.acts his business after the 
most systematic plans. His books are balanced 
every j-ear in the month of March, and he knows 
how much ever3' acre of land yields him and tiie 
worth of every head of stock on his farm, lie 
started in life when a boy at the bottom of the 
ladder with a determination to succeed, and attrib- 
utes his success to his close application to business, 
to his honesty and justice in all his dealings, and 
to his moral and upright habits and the avoidance 
of litigation. He is a stockholder and Director in 
the Farmers' National Bank at Springfield, and is 
one of the solid men of the county. 

Our subject was happily married May 4, 1854, 
to !Sarah A. Cooper, who has been to him a de- 
voted companion and a true helpmate, and to 
whom he justly attributes a part of the prosperit)' 
that has come to him. Mrs. Sudduth is a native 
of this county and a daughter of the Rev. John 
Cooper, who was born June 3, 1794, in South Caro- 
lina. In early manhood he removed to Tennessee, 
where he met and married Susannah Giger, a na- 
tive of that State who was born September 26, 
1705. They were among the early settlers of this 
county, arriving here April 2, 1820, and locating 
near where Rochester now stands. The Rev. John 
Cooper was a local preacher of the INIethodist per- 
suasion, and was a well-known and prominent man 
in his day. He died in 1860, and Mrs. Susannah 
Cooper died September 21, 1859. 

The congenial union of Mr. and Mrs. Sudduth 



has resulted in the birth of the following children: 
Ella (deceased), Laura, Annie, Mary C, Thomas 
and John W. Our subject has never been a politi- 
cian. He was reared as an old line Democrat, but 
of late years he has divided his political su|iport 
about equally between the Democratic and Prohibi- 
tion parties. He has always been an earnest tem- 
perance man in word and deed, never having tasted 
a drop of liquor. 



-^¥r 



ORNELIUS O'LAUGHLIN is ably filling 



OUKWh^LlUS 
, the respons 
perintenden 



ible and trying position of Su- 
t of the Sangamon County' Alms- 
house. He was born September 29, 1846, in Lynn, 
Mass., and is a son of Michael and Mary (Kelly) 
O'Laughlin. His father came to America in early 
manhood and after a few years' residence in Ohio 
came to Scott County, 111. In early life he was an 
extensive railroad contractor, but subsequently 
abandoned that for farming, which he carried on 
very successfully and reared our subject to that 
calling. 

Cornelius O'Laughlin. familiarl}- known as "Con," 
received a solid training in the common English 
branches and was thus well equipped for his life 
work. In 1871 he removed to Illiopolis Town- 
ship and engaged in farming there proving him- 
self to be a competent, wide awake agriculturist. 

When the Board of Supervisors was in quest of 
a capable farmer, a man of unquestioned integrity 
and executive business ability, to lake charge of 
the County Almshouse our subject was suggested 
to them as being amply qualified for the position, 
and he was chosen to su[)erintend the affairs of 
said institution in the spring of 1886, and has been 
in continuous charge ever since. The Almshouse, 
which has an average of one hundred inmates, is, 
under his careful management, in as nearlj' a per- 
fect condition as possible for such a place. It is 
scrupulously clean within and without and the in- 
mates are treated with that firm yet kindly spirit 
that is best conducive to their welfare. Mr. 
O'Laughlin manages the affairs of the institution 
sb well that those in authority feel that he is the 



282 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



right man in the right place and that his selection 
lias been amply justitied by the good work he has 
done. In speaking of the management of the 
affairs of the institution vyc must not omit to men- 
tion Mrs. O'Laughlin's share in the good work. 
She rules the female department with all the pa- 
tience and care of a mother, and is well loved b}' 
those under her charge. With two such people as 
our subject and his wife at the head of it, the San- 
gamon County Almshouse compares very favor- 
ably with others throughout the State, and the 
people sliow their appreciation of what they have 
done by keeping them in their position. 

Mr. and Mrs. O'Laughlin were married in 1871 
•and to them have come a trio of bright children 
— Mary Ellen, Josejih and Maggie, all of whom are 
in school. Mrs. O'Laughlin's maiden name was 
Ellen Gooley, and she is a native of Morgan 
County. Mr. O'Laughlin is a member of the 
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. He is not a 
politician though he is interested in pnldic affairs, 
but he is a farmer by taste and training. 



W^ ON. CHARLES A. KEYES, A. B. Among 
the many talented members of the bar that 
Springfield can boast, a foremost rank is 
held by the gentleman above named. He 
is a native of the city, born December 4, 1832, and 
in its schools obtained his fundamental education. 
He completed his literary course of study in Illi- 
nois College at Jacksonville, being graduated in 
the Class of '54 with the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts. During his senior year he was President of 
the Phil Alpha Society. His tastes leading him to 
the legal profession, he read law with the Hon. E. B. 
Hernilon. and was admitted to the bar in 1856. 
For a time he was in partnership with his former 
preceptor and was then connected with Gen. Mc- 
Clernaud until the latter was appointed on the Utah 
Commission. 

During the early period of his legal labors, Mr. 
Keyes served as City Attorney two years. In 1862 
he was first elected to the Legislature on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, and during his term he was a mem- 



ber of the Judiciary Committee and that on coun- 
ties, then an important position. In 1884 Mr. 
Keyes was again elected to the Legislature, where 
he served on the Committee on Judicial Depart- 
ment and that on Appropriations and Public Build- 
ings and Grounds. He brought all the powers of 
a well-trained intellect to hear upon the matters 
presented for consideration in the various commit- 
tee rooms, and endeavored to consult the best good 
of the commonwealth in his action regarding them. 

In 1876 Mr. Keyes was one of the Presidential 
electors. In his professional work Mr. Keyes has 
[laid special attention to cases in chancery and to 
those of the common law. He has built up an ex- 
tended practice, has a reputation second to none in 
the city, and has been prospered financially as well 
as in reputation. He controls a fine farm four 
miles northwest of the city, where he at one time 
gave much attention to raising thoroughbred run- 
ning iujrses. This farm lielongs to his late father's 
estate. At the head of his stud was Barney Will- 
iams, by Lexington out of Volga, by Glencoe. 
Quite a number of fine horses were bred on the 
place, but Mr. Keyes lias now given up his connec- 
tion with stock-raising. 

Mr. Keyes was fortunate in securing for his com- 
panion Miss Elizabeth Lauman, a native of Xonia, 
Ohio, who possesses a fine cliaracter, cultured mind, 
and pleasing manners. The cou[)le were united in 
marriage May 26, 1869, and have three children — 
Lillian, Alice and Mathew S. The daughters and 
sons have been the recipients of evcr3- advantage 
and arc already filling quite an important place in 
the youthful society of the citj'. He was appointed 
Master in Chancery of Sangamon County in 1867, 
which office he held until 1887. 



7 OIIN MAXWELL was born in the city of 
Springfield, September 11, 1842. He is now 
closely connected with the farming and 
\jjg^ stock-raising interests of his native county^ 
owning and successfidly managing a farm in Illi- 
opolis Township, that ranks among the best in the 
place. He is a son of the late well-known Archi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



283 



bald Maxwell and IMargaiet (Wilson) Maxwell, 
w'.io were natives of Scotland. The father learned 
the trade of a stonemason in the old country and 
became very proficient in his calling. Shrewdly 
foreseeing that his chances were mucli better in this 
country than in his old liome, he emigrated to Amer- 
ica and came to Illinois in the '30s. Here his skill 
and ability as a stonemason were early recognized 
and he was employed as foreman on the old State 
Capitol in Springfield. Many monuments to his 
skill still remain in that city, such .as the Fitzgerald 
building, the Gov. Matteson building and others, 
of which he quarried most of the stone himself, 
lie finally retired from that business, and turned 
his attention to farming near Buffalo, III., where he 
staid eleven years. He then came to a farm in 
Illiopolis Township on which he resided until within 
a few years of his death. He then made his home 
with his son, our subject, until he died in 1882. He 
was a firm Presbyterian in his religious belief and 
lived a life in strict accord with that faith. 

The parents of our subject had nine children of 
whom five are living, namely: one daughter. Mrs. 
Fink'V, a resident of Iowa; Robert, who lives in 
Dakota; Archibald, a resident of Austin, Texas; 
AVilliara, a [ihysician at Omaha, Neb. and our sub- 
ject. 

The latter forms the subject of this brief biogra- 
phy. He was reared as a farmer and had good ad- 
vantages for acquiring a thorough knowledge of 
agriculture. He obtained a fair education in the 
public scliools and when it came time for him to 
make choice of a calling, he selected that to which 
he had been bred as he has a natural taste for it. 
lie bought a tract of raw land and from that has 
developed his present attractive, highly cultivated 
farm. He tills the soil after good methods and as 
a result raises good crops. His stock is of the best 
luT'cds and is well fared for. The fine orchard 
which he has planted here is already a good source 
of income. 

In his early manhood Mr. Maxwell was acci- 
dentally shot by a companion while hunting, but by 
phuk and grit he succeeded in saving the wounded 
limb that yet bears marks of the accident. He is 
a man of good roundabout sense, is S3'stcraatic in 
the management of his affairs and is accordingly 



prospered in his work. His position in the town- 
ship is among its best citizens. He was reared in 
the Presbyterian faith, to which he remains true, 
and he is a Democrat of the strictest type in his 
politics. 

The marriage of our subject with Mary Hanson 
took place in Christian County, in the year 1883, 
and has been of mutual benefit as in her he has 
found a helpmate and companion, and she has in 
him a devoted husband. They have five children: 
Archibald, Margaret, John, .James and an infant, 
William Crigiiton. 




ENJAMIN F. KELLEY who is successfully 
L managins the old homestead on section 9, 



Curran Township, that belongs to his mother, 
is a member of the firm of Kellej & Sum- 
mers, proprietors of the famous Glencove herd of 
Poland-China hogs. He comes of an old pioneer 
family, and to his paternal grandfather, John Kel- 
ley, belongs the honor of founding the settlement 
from which has sprung the city of Springfield, the 
fair capital of this great commonwealth. 

Our subject is a son of Jonathan Kelley, who 
was born in Rutherford County, N. C. September 19, 
1808. His father was born in North Carolina in 
1783, and was there married to ^Mar^' Whiteside 
of the same State. In the fall of 1818 he came 
to Illinois with his family and after spending the 
winter on Macoupin Creek, in the spring of 1819 
he came to Sangamon County and located on the 
present site of Springfield. He put up a rude log 
house that was the first ever built in that cit3% and 
he made a contract afterwards to build the first 
courthouse in this county. The agreement into 
which he entered with the authorities was something 
like the following: The logs were to be twenty feet 
long, the house to be one story high, the floor to be 
made of planks and there was to be a good cabin roof 
and a door and window were to be cut out, the work 
to be completed by the first of May. This agreement 
was made in 1821. and surely never was public 
bulding erected more (piicklv as the courthouse 
was read}- for occupancy in the month of May fol- 



284 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



lowing, and court, was then held in it. It stood on 
what is now the northwest corner of Second and 
Jefferson Street, and was the first building of the 
kind erected within the ciiy limits of Springfield. 
In September or October of the same year, Mrs. 
Kelley died and Mr. Kelley returned to North Car- 
olina where he iiad some old business to attend to, 
and he was there married a second time, taking as 
his wife Margaret Waldru)). Me continued to re- 
side where he located in Sangamon County, until liis 
death in 1823, and his remains were buried in 
Spiingfleld. 

Tlie fatlier of our suliject was about ten years 
old when he accompanied his parents to this county. 
He was reared by his uncle, George Kelley, on .a 
farm, and he was married in Fayette County, 111., 
on September 8, 1831, to Miss Saraii Cook. Soon 
after his marriage Mr. Kelley entered the land 
where our subject now lives and cleared from the 
brush sufficient space on which to build a log cabin 
in tlie thicket. His farming operations resulted 
very successfully, and at the time of his death he 
owned a valuable estate comprising one hundred 
and eighty acres of land in Curran Township, 
forty acres in Gardner Township, and a farm of 
one liundred and sixty acres in Cliristian Count}'. 
He was a man of public spirit and true enterprise, 
and in his death, .June 23, 1873, Curran Townsliip 
lost one of its most honored pioneers and usefnl citi- 
zens. Fie was a member of tlie Methodist Episcopal 
Church and died strong in the failli. The mother of 
our subject now makes her home with him. Slie was 
born in Wayne or Hickman County, Tenn., Decem- 
ber 3, 1812, and lived there until she was seventeen 
years old, when she came with her parents, John and 
Frances (Harris) (^ook, to Illinois. Her father and 
mother were natives of North Carolina, and were 
among the early settlers of Tennessee, where her 
father carried on fanning until the fall of 1829, when 
lie came to Sangamon Count}-. He was among the 
piuneer settlers of Curran Township, where he 
farmed until his removal to Fayette Count}-. He 
carrie<l on his occupation there until he took up his 
residence at Edenburg, Christian Count}', where he 
died. He was a Methodist in religion. The great- 
grandfather of our subject, Ephraim Cook, was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War and died in North 



Carolina. His mother is a woman of firm Chris- 
tian principles and a valued member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. The following eight chil- 
dren were born of her marriage: William W., a 
resident of Island Grove; Mary F., widow of Wil- 
liam Cobb, living on a farm on Lick Creek, in Curran 
Township; John C, a farmer in Curran Township; 
Ann E., wife of Charles Jackson, a druggist at 
Beatrice, Neb. ; Harriet .L., who married William 
Kelley and died in Curran Township; Benjamin F.; 
Malissa, who died when young; Sarah E., wife of 
William Works, a farmer near Filley, Gage County, 
Neb. 

Benjamin Kelley was born on the old homestead 
in Curran Townsliip, April 12. 1848, and has always 
lived in the home of his birth. His education was 
conducted in tiie district schools, and when he be- 
came of age he took charge of the parental estate 
and now has entire control of it. It comprises one 
hundred and twenty acres of land on section 9, Cur- 
ran Township, located nine miles from Springfield 
and two miles from Curran. It \h mostly in pas- 
ture and is watered by an everlasting spring so 
that it is admirably adapted to stock-raising as 
well as to growing grain, for which purposes it is 
used. Our subject has good grades of Clydesdale 
and Shire horses, having from twelve to fifteen 
head, and using two teams in operating his farm. 
He formerly kept high graded stallions, of which 
he has had some five in number. 

Mr. Kelley lias always been mucli interested in 
the breeding of good hogs, keeping full-blooded 
Poland -China hogs and since 1887 lias liad recorded 
Poland-Chinas. He is a member of the Illinois 
Swine Breeders Associatiijii, and he is in jiartner- 
shipwitli Mr. .Sumiuers, as before noted, and they 
are the owners of the best liogs in the State, com- 
prising the well known Glencove herd. Their hogs 
were exiiibiled at the fair of 1890 at Springfield 
where they secured a liberal share of premiums. 
They are tlie only breeders of Poland-China hogs 
in the township and now iiave about one hundred 
and seventy five head. Mr. Kelley is also engaged 
in breeding bronze turkeys and Wliite Holland, 
Pekin and Muscovy ducks. White China geese and 
Wyandotte fowls, and ships to many different 
i States. He also breeds Scotch Collie or Shepherd 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



285 



E^ 



■^OHN N. CLINE. The farming and stock- 
raising interests of Sangamon County have 
,.l j no better representatives than its native- 
(^^_/' born citizens, many of whom are classed 
among its most practical, enterprising and success- 
ful farmers. John X. Cline is numbered among 
tiipse and is one of the leading citizens of Fancj'^ 
Creek Township where he was born on section 3, 
August 23, 1846. He comes of good old pioneer 
sl<(ck. 

Tlie father of our subject, William Cline, was 
born in the same countj- and was a son of John 
Cline wlio was among the very first settlers of 
Sangamon Countj'. The latter was born in Fred- 
erick County, Va., January 2, 1798, losing his 
parents when quite young was taken to Madison 
County, Ohio, by his maternal grandfather, George 
Sutherland, in 1802. He was reared there near 
London and in 1819 determined to visit the wilds 
of Illinois with a view to locating here. He in- 
tended to come on horseback but Levi Cantrall 



dogs of which he has some fine specimens. Mr. 
Kelley is a valued citizen of Ins native township, 
his active enterprise and intelligent business quali- 
ties being potent factors in extending its interests. 
lie has held various ofilces of trust such as that of 
Assessor and of Collector, each of which he filled 
one year, and he has been School Director for ten 
years, being now Clerk of the Board of Education. 
He is a true Repui)liean and has been a delegate to 
county conventions. He has also served on the 
grand and petit juries. He is a man of social pop- 
ularity and is identified with the Modern Woodmen 
of America at Curran. 

Mr Kellej was married in Winchester, Mo., 
October 20. 1866, to Miss Margery Hibbs, a native 
of Mason County. 111., and a daughter of William 
anil Lena (Harris) Hibbs. Her father was formerly 
a farmer in Mason County, and then removed to 
Missouri and finally to Kansas. Mrs. Kelley is a 
member in good standing of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and is in all respects a good and true 
woman. 



who was about to remove to this State engaged 
him to drive his four-horse team hither. They 
arrived at their destination in the month of No- 
vember and in December came to Fancy Creek 
Township. Mr. Cline took up a large tract of 
land and though he had thought of returning to 
Ohio in the spring he decided to enter upon ths 
cultivation of his land. Perhaps he was influ- 
enced to slay by his having met here Mrs. Lucy 
(England) Scott whom he successfully wooed and 
married July 20, 1820. She was a native of Ken- 
tucky who had accompanied her parents to this 
county about the same year that her future hus- 
band arrived here. They were the first couple 
married in Sangamon County north of the Sanga- 
mon River. Mr. Cline became a prominent citizen 
in this county, occupying a high place among its 
pioneers and died here in 1880 at a ripe old age. 

William Cline is still living in the edge of Me- 
naid County and enjoys the confidence and esteem 
of all who know him. He is a Christian in word 
and act and a member of the Christian Church. 
He has been twice married. He was first wedded to 
Elizabeth Conterbury a native of this county and 
the mother of our suliject. She died in 1870, leav- 
ing four children of whom three are living. After 
his first wife's death Mr. Cline contracted a mar- 
riage with Maria Perkins by whom ho has had one 
child. 

The boyhood days of our suljject were passed in 
attending the district school and in assisting his 
father on the farm. He gained thus a fine |irac- 
tical knowledge of agriculture in all its branches 
and when he attained his m.ajority selected that 
calling as his life work. He purchased then one 
hundred and sixty acres of land and has been ac- 
tivel}' engaged in its cultivation ever since. He has 
increased the acreage of his farm by subsequent 
purchase until he has now three hundred and twenty 
acres of finely cultivated and highly imjiroved land. 
He has a neat and well ordered set of buildings and 
one of the coziest of homes in this locality. Mr. 
Cline is especially interested in draft horses and 
keeps on an average about fifty on his farm all the 
time. He is partial to tlie Clydesdale and Perch- 
eron breeds with a pieference for the latter and is 
very successful. 



286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Mr. Cline and Miss Delia E. Primm united their 
lives for belter or worse, July 29, 1868. She is a 
native of this State, lier birthplace in Menard 
CouMty and is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth 
(Tice) Primm, natives of Sangamon County, 111., 
and of Kentucky respectively. Her father was a 
farmer by occupation and died in 1865. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Cline have been born the fol- 
lovving cliildren: Annie, Ninian O. and Homer 
(deceased), Leroy, Essie (deceased), Arthur and 
Benjamin. Their son Ninian died in his twenty- 
first year July 4, 1890. He was a very bright and 
accomplished young man and standing upon the 
threshold of life had a promising future before him. 
He was greatl3' gifted as a musician and was a grad- 
uate of tiie musical department of the Valparaiso 
(Ind.) Normal School in the Class of '89. At the 
time of his death he was Principal of the musical 
department of a noted college at Minden, La. 

,Mr. Cline is a Republican in whom there is no 
guile but he is too deeply interested in farming and 
stock-raising to take any part in polities. He is a 
man of fine personal character who is true to him- 
self and others, is honorable in all the relations 
of life and is looked up to with great respect as a 
trustworthy citizen whose career lias not only been 
creditable to himself but reflects honor on the 
county of his nativity. 



-^^ALP.OTT F. BRUNK. The old Brunk home- 
((^^^ stead in Cotton Hill Township, is the home 
^^^^ of our subject. Within the boundaries of 
his fine farm on section G, are comprised two 
hundred and thirty acres which pa}' to him a golden 
tribute and make him one of the substantial farm- 
ers of the communit\'. The record of his life is as 
follows: 

Our subject was born on the homestead farm on 
the 2d of November, 18G2, his father being George 
Brunk, one of the earliest settlers of the county. 
From Ohio, his native State, George Brunk emi- 
grated westward, locating in Sangamon Count}', 
III., in 1822. He was then eighteen years of age, 
and after attaining his majority he wedded Emily 



Talbott, a native of Shelby County, Ky., who came 
with her parents to this county when a maiden of 
eleven summers. On a new farm on section 6, 
Cotton Hill Township, they began their domestic 
life, and their home was blessed by the jiresence of 
two sons, our subject and Joseph C. Through the 
untiring efforts of Mr. Brunk the land was trans- 
formed into a good faini which he operated suc- 
cessfully until his death, which occurred in Sep- 
tember, 18C8. He was a prominent and influential 
citizen of the community, progress.'ve and public- 
spirited, and took an active interest in everything 
pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the 
communit}'. His wife still survives him and has a 
second time married. 

Our subject received good advantages in his 
youth of both educational and business training, 
and was thereby fitted for the duties of life. A 
course in the common schools was supplemented by 
a course in Shurtleff College of Alton, 111., and for 
one year he pursued a business course in the Jack- 
sonville College. He had -fitted himself for al- 
most any business enterprise which he might wish 
to follow, and for a helpmate on life's journey he 
chose Miss Sarah K. Priest, daughter of William N. 
and Mary A. (Badger) Priest, both of whom were 
natives of Bath County, Ky. In their family were 
three children, of A-hom Mrs. Brunk is the young- 
est. Tiie mother died in Dallas, Tex., in 1884, but 
Mr. Priest is still living. The marriage of our sub- 
ject and his estimable wife was celebrated in the 
Capital City on the 4th of October, 1882, and they 
at once removed to the old homestead in Cotton 
Hill Township, where they have since resided. 
Their farm is one of the best in the neighborhood, 
owing to tiic untiring efforts of the owner, while 
the home is made attractive by the worthy wife 
who presides over it, giving her personal attention 
to its care and adornment. 

Three children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Brunk, two sons and a daughter, namely: George 
N., Caddie V. and Sidney B. Mr. Brunk has been 
honored with a number of local offices including 
that of School Trustee, Township Assessor, which 
he held one j'ear, and also Township Supervisor, 
which position he filled for a similar period. In 
politics he is a Democrat, and as every true Amer- 




OAKLAND = RESIDEMCE OF JAMES E. POV\.P,; 







■■:C.4. FANCY CREEK TR SANGAMON CO. I LL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



291 



lean citizen siiouM do. feels an interest in political 
affairs. He belongs to one of the representative 
and honored pioneer families of the cotintj', hisown 
life has here been passed and he is known to all as 
an upright and valued citizen. 



' ACUB ;MYERS is prominent among the farm- 
ers and stock-men of Illiopolis Township, 
Sangamon County, where he has on section 
' 29, one of the best equipped farms in the 
vicinity, and is quite extensivel3- engaged in raising 
standard horses, cattle and hogs. A native of 
Berks County-, Pa., our subject was born in Reams- 
to»vn in 1831. His parents. Jacob and Deborah 
Ann (Hall) Myers, were natives respectivel3' of 
Pennsylvania and Maryland. His father was in 
early life a distiller. He subsequently went to Ohio, 
where he was engaged as an hotel -keeper, and he fin- 
ally died in that State forty-five years ago. After 
her husband's death Mrs. Mj'ers came to Mechan- 
icsburg, ill., and died here eighteen years ago. 

Our subject was reared principally in Ohio, and 
obtained his education in its public schools. He 
w.as only fifteen jcars old when he began to face 
the stern realities of life on his own account as a 
farm hand. He subsequently commenced farming 
for himself, and was thus occupied one j'ear in 
Ohio prior to coming to Mechanicsburg. III., where 
lie carried on agriculture until 1870. In that year 
lie bought one hundred and twenty acres of wild 
prairie land at -§18 an acre. He first lived in a 
small house near his present homestead, but soon 
erected the more commodious and substantial dwell- 
ing in which he now lives. He broke the prairie 
and planted the virgin soil and in time had one of 
the finest farms in the region under cultivation. 
He prospered and finalh- bought forty acres of 
land east of his original purchase on the same sec- 
tion, and now has his whole farm under substantial 
improvements. Of late years he has been greatly 
interested in raising fine horses, and in 1882 was 
one of three who imported Clydesdale horses from 
which have been bred some of the finest animals in 



the country. Mr. Myers keeps a first-class grade 
of cattle and hogs for whi(di he finds a good market 
and which are to him a profitable source of income. 
His farm is always kept in good order, and he "uses 
brains as much as hands," to quote one of his own 
sayings, in the management of his affairs. He 
drives a handsome team, lives in ease and knows 
well how to enjoy life. He is a Methodist in re- 
ligious faith, and gives liberally not only to the 
church, but to all things that will elevate the social 
and moral status of his township, or materially add 
to its prosperit}'. He is popular in society and for 
many years has been a leading Odd Fellow. He is 
also connected with the I'"arniers' ilutual Benefit 
Association. He is a man of more than ordinary 
intelligence, and is quoted as progressive, honorable 
and industrious. 

Mr. M^'ers was first married in 18.52 to Miss 
Elizabath Hamilton, a native of Pennsylvania. 
Tliey passed life haiipily for several years until 
death separated them, Mrs. Myers dying in 1869. 
She left three children — William, Eli and ISLaria. 
The second marriage of our subject was with Miss 
Elizabetli McDaniel, a native of Kentucky, who 
was brought to Sangamon County when she was a 
small child. Mrs. Myers is a most estimable woman 
and knows well how to manage her household af- 
fairs to the best advantage. Of the three children 
born to her and our subject. Edward and Lena are 
at home; Oliver is married and lives in this town- 
shii); Mr. Myers' children by his first marriage arc 
also married and settled in life. Mr. Myers is the 
proud grandfather of eight grandchildren. 



-V^ 



■^^>^^tk^^)<^^ 




THER P. M. DONOHOE is one of the most 
f, distinguished and leariied members of the 
/ll, ~" Catholic clergy in this part of Illinois, and 
is widely known and respected liy all classes with- 
out regard to religious aflili.ations. He is pastor of 
the Catholic congregation at Auburn, his place of 
residence, also of St. Bernard's Church at Glenarm. 
an(] of St. Michael's Church in Christian County. 
The ancestral home of our subject was in Ireland 
and his father, Peter Donohoe. was born in that 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



country in County Leitrim. He was a farmer, and 
he also engaged in the'raanufacture of fine linens. 
He was very successful in that enterprise and ac- 
quired wealth, whereby he was enabled to give his 
ciiihh-en fine educational advantages. The most 
salient trait of his character was his inherent hon- 
esty. He was an athletic man, a lover of firearms 
and a fine shot, fond of hunting and keiithis horses 
.and hounds. He died in 1874 at the remarkable 
age of ninety years. He was a rigid Catholic and 
clung closely to the faith of liis fathers to the last. 

Peter Donolioe, tlie paternal grandfather of our 
suliject was a farmer. He was a great admirer of 
Napoleon Bonaparte, and after he became Consul 
of France Mr. Donohoe volunteered in his service, 
and was under that great leader from 1801 to 1804. 
lie at last died peacefully in his home in Ireland. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Ann Curran. and she is a native of County 
Leitrim, Ireland, where she is still living in the old 
home at a venerable age. The following six chil- 
dren were the fruit of her marriage: Peter, a 
Catliolic priest in Elniira, N. Y.; Andrew, a farmer 
in Ireland; James, a resident of Jersey City, N. J.; 
Michael, a farmer in Ireland ; Maria, Mrs. Cunnion, 
of Ireland and our subject. 

Father Donohoe was born February 8, 1 860, at 
Carrigallen, County Leitrim, Ireland. He attended 
the national sciiools of his native land until he was 
fourteen years old. He then began to study the 
classics at St. Mary's Seminary, County Longford, 
attending school every day of the week except 
Sunday. He was a pupil in tliat institution two 
and one-half yeais, but while he pursued the speci- 
fied curriculum his education in the proper use of 
the Knglish language was somewiiat neglected, as 
only one day in tlie week was devoted to this im- 
portant study, and he was turned out a fine cla.ssi- 
cmI scholar at the expense of his knowledge of his 
mother tongue. He has, however, since remedied 
this deficiency and his choice English adds much 
to the attractiveness of his writing and addresses. 

In his seventeenth year our subject left his early 
home and Ins fiiends and crossed the ocean to the 
United Stales, landing in New York City. He at 
once entered the Seminary of our Lady of .4ngels, 
at Suspension Bridge, N. Y., where he paid partic- 



ular attention to his English. Before leaving Ire- 
land he had passed with the highest honors the 
matriculation examinations that entitled him to en- 
ter any university in the kingdom. At the end of 
one jear his classical studies were completed, and 
he then became a student at the Grand Seminary, 
Montreal, where he wished to prepare himself for 
the ministry, for the priesthood had natural attrac- 
tions for a young man of his temperament and na- 
ture. At the end of a year he was obliged to give 
up his studies there, as the climate did not agree 
with his health. He spent the summer of 1879 in 
recuperating, and in the autumn of the year re- 
sumed his studies, entering then St. Michael's Col- 
lege at Toronto, Canada. There he developed 
marked ability in all classes of study, having al- 
ready became familiar with the logic of Mill, and 
the philosophies of Locke and Sanseverino. After 
his career closed at St. Michael's, Father Donohoe 
went abroad to study theology for two years. These 
years he spent very profitably at Genoa .in Italy, 
where he gave his sole attention to his books, as he 
had not gone thither for the pleasures of travel, but 
when he visited a strange land, like Richard Cob- 
den he went "to seek the good and the bad in the 
economic systems of the countries through which 
he passed," and he is quite keen to discern defects in 
any government. 

In the summer of 1881 the reverend Father re- 
turned to the United States and entered a college 
near Latrobe, Pa., where he completed his long and 
arduous preparation for bis sacred calling at the 
end of two years, and was ordained priest on the 
29th of June. 1884. For a few months in that year 
ho edited a college paper which he called The Can- 
wm, and it was very remarkable for its straight 
shots. After three months spent in Decatur, 111., 
as assistant to Rev. J. P. Mackin, he was assigned 
to Areola as pastor, and there nearly three years of 
his life were passed. He was next sent to Charles- 
ton, where he remained over three years. During 
those years he was instrumental in increasing the 
financial prosperity of the church, as he made many 
improvements in the church property, and he also 
embellished the church at Hume, besides releasing 
both churches from debt. 

In the month of May, 1890, Father Donohoe as- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



293 



sumed cliarge of tlio Auburn t'liiu-eli and is doing 
:i good work here. His success is .attributable in 
part to Ills fidelity to duty, as lie never leaves un- 
done those things that he ought to do, and never 
commits to anyone else any duty that he can |)or- 
form himself. He is well beloved by his people 
in whom he takes a deep interest, and for whose 
highest welfare he is concerued. Notwithstanding 
his many cares he is still a student, and is a gentle- 
man of rare culture and polish. He is particularly 
interested in chemistry, in which he is well-versed, 
and he has invented several incendiary liquids and 
explosives. He reads tlie daily papers and the best 
magazines and publications of this and other conn- 
tries, and keeps well abreast of the times in current 
thought. Father Donohoe has made a careful study 
of the institutions of this government, and is fam- 
iliar with its political life. He takes sides with tlie 
Ucpublicans, and is one of the strongest and most 
influential advocates of the principles of the party 
in this section of the State. He is acquainted with 
the leading Republican politicians of Illinois, with 
whom he is popular, and is esteemed by them for 
his learning and ability. 




HARLES BARNES. One of the pleasant 
farms of Chatham Township is that owned 
/^ and operated by this gentleman, who has 
laced upon it such improvements as entitle it to 
rank among the finest farms to be found through- 
out the community. It comprises one hundred 
and twenty acres on section 26, and forty on section 
27. every acre of which is tillable and improved. 
As the traveler appro.iches the homestead he notices 
a comfortable residence, a substantial barn, 56x32 
feet and other outbuildings required in the conduct- 
ing c)f a modern estate. The land is devoted princi- 
pally to cereals, although it furnishes good grazing 
for the stock to be found there. A convenient 
market is only three miles away at the village of 
Auburn. 

Ezra Barnes, the father of our subject, was bori! 
in New London County, Conn., and was orphaned 
when a bo\'. When he reached j-ears of maturity 



he engaged in peddling clocks and traveled in his 
peddler's wagon drawn by two horses all the dis- 
tance from Hartford to St. Louis. Arriving at 
the latter city he commenced to travel for a jewelry 
establishment located there, selling wooden and 
lirass clocks, and for two succeeding years travel- 
ing principally through Illinois. In 1833 he lo- 
cated in Sangamon County and purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land in 
what is now Chatham Township. 

After settling in Sangamon County Ezra Barnes 
engaged first in peddling dry-goods, and was at 
one time almost rfrowned while crossing the San- 
gamon River north of Springfield. He was success- 
ful financially, and often drove to St. Louis and 
Galena, and during one summer worked in llie 
lead regions. He hauled specie from Springfield to 
St. Louis, pretending that be had a load of scrap 
iron. After improving his estate he engaged in 
sheep raising and had from one thousand to two 
thousand head; he also raised full-blooded Short- 
horn cattle, and finall}' became the owner of over 
eight hundred acres of land. He was a lover of 
fine horses and owned some very good ones, of 
which he was justly proud. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Elizabeth Mason and was a native of Massachu- 
setts. Her father, Noah Mason, was born in 
Massachusetts in 1782 and followed the life of a 
sailor about five years. Becoming tired of ocean 
life, he settled down and made his home first 
in Maine, removing to New York in 1812 and 
in 1821 to Illinois. He located in Auburn 
Township April 10, 1824, and was thus one of the 
very early settlers of Sangamon Countv. His 
daughter Eilizabeth was born February 4, 1818, 
and was married to Ezra Barnes December 6, 1838. 
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes comprised five 
children, viz: Ezra, Jr., Seth A., Olive F., Charles 
(our subject), and Angeline. The father passed 
from the busy scenes of earth August 1, 1877, 
when nearly seventy-two years of age. He was a 
strong Republican and a. member of the Baptist 
Church. 

In the old homestead December 3, 1853, Charles 
Barnes was born, and here he has passed his entire 
life. He received a common schocil education in 



294 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the district school, and when twenty-two j'ears of 
asje attendeil Lebanon College, Warren County, 
Ohio. However, college life did not suit him and, 
returning to the farm, he remained with iiis fatiier 
until his marriage. This very important event 
ill his life occurred in Springfield February 7, 
1877. The bride was Miss Sarah F., daughter of 
William Fleming, an early settler of Sangamon 
County. Mrs. Barnes was born January 13, 1857, 
in Sangamon County, 111., and was trained to be- 
come proficient in tl)ose duties which have made her 
a cliarming hostess and capable housekeeper. 

After his mariiage our subject and his wife re- 
moved to Christian County, where he farmed for 
one summer. But feeling that Sangamon County 
possessed greater advantages for the agriciiltui ist 
he returned to Chatham Township in 1S7V, having 
inherited a part of the land which had belonged to 
ills father. The family circle has been enlarged 
by the birth of tliree chililren, namel}' : Charles L., 
vVngie M. and Minnie E. Mr. Barnes serves as 
Clerk of the School Board and lias been Road 
Overseer. A standi Republican, he supports the 
candidates of that party by voice and vote. He 
has served on yietit juries and is in many ways 
identified with the prominent enterprises of the 
township and county. 



^^EORGE BERGEN is proprietor of one of 
jll f—y the fine farms for which Springfield Town- 
^i^i^ shii) is noted and during iiis many years' 
residence here he has been an instrument in devel- 
oping tlio agriculture and promoting the growth 
of this section of the county. He is a son of the 
late Rev. J. Ct. Bergen, wlio was formerly wide- 
ly known and honored as one of the pioneer min- 
isters of the Slate, the first pastor of the First 
Presbyterian Church who during a long and use- 
ful minisLry was very active in advancing the 
social and moral status of city and county. 

The Rev. John G. Bergen was born in New 
Jersey in 17'.(0and he was there married to Marga- 
retta Matilda Henderson, who was also a native of 
that State. They came to Sangamon County in 



1 828 and he became the first pastor of the First 
Presbyterian Church at Springfield. It is said 
that he made himself very popular with the peo- 
ple and that the little log house in wdiich services 
were first held soon became too small to hold all 
his hearers, who were among the first people of 
Springfield. Therefore a new building was erected 
and under his management the affairs of the 
society became so flourishing and tlie church mem- 
bership so increased that thej-^had to replace that 
cliurch bj' another more commodious. After a 
successful pastorate of twenty years Dr. Bergen 
resigned his charge and lived retired till his death 
January 16, 1872. An interesting account of his 
work in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church 
is found in the histor}' of that denomination as 
given in the liistory of Sangamon County. 

The Rev. Mr. Bergen was twice married. His 
first wife died in October, 1853, and in 1857 he 
was united to ^Irs. Susan Van lloff. She sur- 
vived him till May, 1879, when she too passed 
away. The Rev. Mr. Bergen was the father of 
five children, all by his first marriage, as follows: 
Jane E., who married Col. Robert Allen and died 
ill Springfield in March, 1857; Catherine H. who 
is the widow of Capt. Edward Jones; Amelia M., 
who is the widow of Joshua G. Lamb; Thomas 
IL, who is a farmer in S|)ringfield Township, and 
George, who is tlie subject of this biography. 

The latter is the youngest of the family' and was 
born in Morris County, New Jersey, April 26, 
1824. He was four years old when his parents 
brought him to Springfield, where he grew to 
a stalwart manhood amid jiioneer surroundings. 
He had a natural aptitude for fanning and adopt- 
ed that as his calling in life and has ever since 
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. In 1852 
he settled on section 36, Springfield Township, of 
which he has ever since been a resident. He has 
here one hundred and eighty acres of choice hind 
which is well known throughout this region as 
Lawn Girore Farm. 

Mr. Bergen has here an estate that has greatly 
increased in value since it came into his possession, 
as he has put the land under good tillage and 
has s|)ent much time and money in placing upon 
it the fine improvements that now adorn it. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



295 



has liere a well-orLlered, coramo.iious soL of Iniikl- 
ings, inchuling a iiandsoiiie residence and eveiy- 
tliing to make a model farm. Besides attending to 
otlier liranelies of agi'icultiire Mr. Bei-gen has long 
been engaged in raising fi-uits of all kinds in which 
he lias met with marked success, in addition to 
which he lias been engaged in raising fine stock. 

Our subject has displayed clear discernment, 
fine judgment, sober thrift and keen calculation 
in the management of bis affairs and has thus been 
enabled to place himself among the well-to-do cit- 
izens of this township, with whose interests his own 
have been so closel}' identified for a long term of 
years. He inherited noble traits of character from i 
his worthy (larents and his life record thus far 
has been that of a good man and a good citizen 
and has gained him the universal esteem of the ] 
entire community. In politics he was formerly a 
Whig and after the dissolution of that party be- 
came a Democrat. 



i.,M'-=- 



-^ 



^f( UGUST KESSBERGER. a member of the 
@/UJ firm of W. F. Kessherger it Co., which is 
1) conducting a gentlemen's clothing and 
furnishing goods establishment at 107 
iS'orth Fifth Street, is a well-known citizen of 
Springfield with whose business interests he has 
been variously identified for many \-ears and he has 
also been connected with its public life. He 
is likewise engaged in the insurance business 
and has the agency for a good line of insurance 
companies. 

Mr. Kessberger was born in Germany, October 
21, 1835, and when a young man he came to 
America with a brother and sister locating in 
Siiringfield in 18.51. He immediately began to 
learn the trade of a blacksmith and wagonmaker, 
and subsequently opened a shop and carried on a 
nianufaccnring business on his own account. He 
was very successful in it, and had to enlarge his 
shop to keep pace with the demands of his business 
and carried it on until 1881, having a locali<Mi first 
on Adams Street and afterwards on the corner of 
First and Washington Streets. He manufactured 



nil kinds of heavy and light vehicles and after 
abandoning that engaged first with Herman & Co.. 
in the general insurance business. In 1887 he cipencd 
an ofHce for himself, and he willi his son in the 
midfUe of December, 1888, opened their present 
store. They have prospered very much in this 
enterprise and on the 1st of October removed to 
the finely fitted up and commodious store at 107 
North Fifth Street, where they carry a large stock 
of everj'thing in iheir line and of the liest qualit}'. 
The marriage of Mr. Kessberger with Miss Chris- 
tina Hagedorn of this city, who was born in Ger- 
many has been blessed to them by the birth of chil- 
dren of whom they have six: August W., William 
F., George P., Edward. Bertha and Minnie. Air. 
Kessberger is one of the old and respected citizens 
of this city and is highly spoken of by all with 
whom he associates in a business or a social way. 
He has been a member of the Cit}' Council and has 
alwajs done what he could to forward the interests 
of the city. He is a member of the Oak Ridge 
Board of Trustees. He has been Director of the 
Workingmen's Savings and Homestead Associa- 
tion, and has been interested in the German- 
American Society but is not so now. Politically 
he is a stinch Democrat and stands by his party 
whatever betides. Socially he is connected with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 






;«^-<r. 



(^ !»/ H. ODIORNP:, Superintendent of the 
\/\li yp'''"g''*^'"' Gas Company, has been closely 
^^/^ connected with this company since January 
1872, and is well an<l favorably known throughout 
the cit3' and county. 

Mr. Odiorne was born in Ijostoii, Mass., Novem- 
ber 30, 1856, being the son of Alfred and Eliza- 
beth R. (Wild) Odiorne. and wlien eleven years of 
age came with his parents to Springfield. His 
father was in the gas business for many years build- 
ing the works here in 1851. He too was born in 
Boston, August 19, 1819, and there grew to man- 
hood and engaged in mechanical pursuits, his 



296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



fatlier Thomas Odiorne being proprietor of the roll- 
ing mills and proljably the luanufae-tiirer of the first 
rails ever made in this country. 

Our subject's father worked in the rolling mills 
at first and then turned his attention to the gas 
business, having charge of the Maiden Gas Works 
and also the Medford Gas Works in the suburbs 
of Boston, and remained with them for a num- 
ber of years. In the year 1867 he moved with his 
family to Springfield, taking charge of tlie gas 
works here, .'i positic^n which he continued to fill up 
to the time of his death, whicii occurred November 
4, 1885. His vrife died January 25, 1887, leaving 
a family of three children, viz: William H., Mary 
E., wife of J. R. Booth, of Springfield, and E. E., 
of Denver, Col. 

The subject of onr sketch received a good com- 
mon-school education and then commenced to work 
for the gas company and being a |)ractical gas man 
was upon the death of his father, made superin- 
tendent of the company. He was one of the early 
stockholders in the Building and Loan Association 
of Springfield and was for two years Director, and 
at the last annual meeting was elected President of 
the Association. He was also one of the first 
Board of Directors of the Sangamon Fair and 
Springfield Exposition, and still holds thatotflce. 
and has held the office of marshal of the ring. 
Having dune much to make the exhibits a success 
he naturally is at the head on all matters of im- 
portance connected with tiie fair. While ho is by 
no means a political aspirant, he takes great interest 
in [jolitics and is a member of the Republican 
party. As previously stated the first gas works in 
Springfield were built by Alfred Odiorne of Bos- 
ton, he being the superintendent and contractor, 
and N. H. Uidgely was president of same up to the 
time of his death in 1888, and William Ridgely 
was then elected president to fill the vacancy. The 
original capital stock is -^75,000, tlie original ca- 
pacity being from 20.000 to 25,000 feet per day, 
and about twenty miles of street mains. The 
works are located at both north-west and south- 
west corners of Washington and First Streets and 
give employment to about thirty-five men. 

Mr. Odiorne belongs to the pre-eminently suc- 
cessful men whose history is indeed a part of the 



history of the city where they reside, since to them 
is due a vast amount of credit for the progress and 
industry that increase the population and capacities 
of the city with eacli succeeding year. The march 
of progress is great indeed, and the men who are 
guiding the main enterprises are worthy of 
a vast amount of praise and universally receive 
high respect and admiration throughout the com- 
munities where they reside. 

sHOMAS L. PAULLIN, though he has not 
long been a resident of Sangamon County, 
^^f' already occupies a prominent place as a well- 
to-do and progressive member of its farming com- 
munity. His landed interests lie in Sangamon, 
Shelby and McLean Counties and be resides on his 
homestead on section 36, Springfield Township. 

Our subject is a son of the late Jacob H. Paullin, 
who was born in Greene County, Ohio. He mar- 
ried Martha Ann Colvin, a native of Virginia. 
Those worthy [people spent their last years near 
Atlanta, Logan County, this State and were not 
long divided b^' death, she dying July 28, 1889, 
and he the 25th of the followiPig December. They 
had seven children, six sons and one daughter. 

Thomas is the eldest of the family and was born 
in Greene County, Ohio, September 8, 1849. His 
parents came to Illinois when he was two years of 
age, m.aking the journey by team and settling 
among the pioneers of Atlanta. There he grew to 
a manly manhood and in due time married and 
settled in life, taking as his wife Miss Nannie J. 
Constant to whom he was wedded in McLean 
County, December 11, 1870. Mrs. Paullin is a 
daughter of William Nelson and Elizabeth(Walker) 
Constant, natives respectively of this county and 
of Ohio. Her mother died in Piatt County, this 
State, July 21, 1884. Mrs. Paullin is the sixth 
child in a family of five sons and two daughters 
and she was born in this county ]\Iarch 21, 1854. 
The following are the six children that are the 
fruit of her marriage with our subject: Ernest, who 
died when seven months old ; Edna L., John W., 
Wilbur J., William A. and Roy E. Mrs. Paullin is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



297 



a woman of manv' amiable qualities who is liekl in 
high regard !>}■ all who know her, and she ami her 
eldest (iaiiohter are consistent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The first two \ears after his marriage our subject 
spent near Atlanta and from there moved to Belle- 
flower, McLean County, where he lived thirteen 
years. He subsequentl}' resided a short time in 
Farmer City and later went to Normal, 111., where 
two 3ears of his life were passed. In November, 
1887, he came to Sanoamon County', and has since 
lived in his present residence. He owns six hun- 
dred and ten acres of choice land, and is now de- 
voting himself to lilling the soil and raising stock. 
His farm has a fine location and is one of the best 
equipped and improved in the townshi|). There is 
a fine set of substantial, well-arranged buildings, 
including the neat, commodious residence tliat is 
nicel_v furnished and is the seat of that true hospi- 
tality that "welcomes the coming and speeds the 
parting guest." 

While Mr. Paullin has been extensively engaged 
in farming he has also paid considerable attention 
to the mercantile business and during his residence 
in Normal he had a store there and also one at 
Blooraington, and made much money b}' his enter- 
prise, building up a large and lucrative trade. He 
is a man of untiring energy, of much force, and 
conducts his operations i.i a most systematic and 
business-like manner. He has mingled much in 
public life holding various offices in the townships 
where he has lived and proving a sagacious and 
public-spirited civic ollicial. In politics he is with 
the Republicans and gives his party stanch support. 

— ■ — --'^*^J'>'^*- 



' UDGE JAMES H. MATHENY. The best 
eulogy that can be pronounced regarding 
the deceased, is a plain statement of the 
deeds they have done and the character they 
have formed. We shall, therefore, tell the story 
of the. life of the late Judge Matheny, of Spring- 
field, in simple language and let those who knew 
him best speak of his personal qualities. He was 
elected County Judge in November, 1873, and held 



the office continuously until his death, which took 
place September 7, 1890. At that time he was the 
oldest resident of the city, having made it his 
home for sixty-eight years and he was, therefore, 
well known to itscitizens and to those living round 
about. 

The father of our subject was Charles R. Ma- 
theny, a native of Loudoun County, Va., who 
came to the Northwest Territory in 1803, and is 
therefore numbered among the very earliest ■set- 
tlers. He hjcated in what is now St. Clair County, 
111., and there married Jemima Ogle, one of the 
first American children born in that section. Ogle 
County was named in honor of Jacob Ogle, the fa 
ther of this lady. Charles Matheny w.as a member 
of the Territorial Legislature that mot at Kask.askia, 
and was also a member during the first session 
after the State w:is admitted to the Union, repre- 
senting St, Clair County, During one of the early 
sessions of the State Legislature he was Clerk of 
the House of Representatives. In May, 1821, he 
came to .Sangamon County, settling on the present 
site of Springfield, which was not then laid out. He 
was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court and of 
the Sangamon County Court and held both orfices 
until 1835, when he resigned the former. He con- 
tinued to act as Clerk of the County Court until 
his death, in 1838, at the age of fifty-three yen is. 
He acted as Clerk during the first Circuit Court 
held in this c<mnty. Mrs. Jemima Matheny sur- 
vived her husb.ind many i'ears, dying in Spring- 
field. She reared a large family, of whom our 
subject was the sixth in order of birth. 

Judge Matheny' was bom in St. Clair County, 
October 30, 1818, thirty-five days before the Stale 
was admitted to the Union. He was scarcely more 
than an infant when brought to this county, in 
which his education was received. When but four- 
teen years old he was appointed Deputy Postmaster 
under Edward Mitchell and held the position until 
the death of his superior. At that time all tiie 
mail came from Kaskaskia and was brought by a 
mounted carrier. There were but>one or two mnils 
per month and the arrival of the carrier made a 
great day for the citizens and a busy one for the 
postal clerk. 

We next find young Matheny serving as deputy 



•298 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in the County Clerk's office uniler his father, and 
wlien the seat of Government was removed to 
Springfield, lie received the appointment of Deputy 
Clerk of the Supreme Court. His next official sta- 
tion was that of Deputy Circuit Clerk, which posi- 
tion he held until the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1848 to whicli lie was elected tiie 
preceding year. When the convention adjourned 
he again went into the Circuit Clerk's office and 
continued his work as a deput3' until November, 
1852, when he was elected Circuit Clerk. He held 
the office four years, declining to be a candidate 
for re-election, in order to practice law, which he 
h-id been studying. He began his legal work in the 
spring of 1857 and labored assiduously in his pro- 
fession until the breaking out of the Rebellion, 
building up a good practice. 

Tiie war record of our subject was a creditable 
one. He enlisted at the beginning of hostilities 
and was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry. He 
sewed with distinction, displaying much personal 
courage and ability to command. At Edwards 
Cross Roads the regiment was cut to jjieces and the 
remnant was consolidated witli those of two otlier 
regiments which had likewise suffered great loss. 
When the siege of Vicksburg ended in the capitu- 
lation of Gen. Femberton, Col. Matheny was made 
Judge Advocate and held military courts until the 
latter part of 1864, when he resigned, as his com- 
mand was then consolidated with others. 

Tlie rapid promotion of our subject during the 
late war, is attributed by him to the schooling he 
received while soldiering for fun in the ranks of the 
Lowell Phalunx. 

Upon returning home Judge Matheny resumed 
the practice of law, in which he secured a large 
clientage by reason of his strength as a pleader and 
his personal popularity. He continued in active 
practice until he was elected to the judgeship. For 
a number of years he was interested in real estate 
to quite an extent. During the palmy days of the 
Whig party he was an ardent member, his first 
vote having been cast for William Henry Harrison 
in 1840. During that campaign, in company with 
nine other young men, he went to Nashville to 
hear Henry Clay speak, The round trip took 



about five weeks and the joung men sang glee 
songs at all their stopping places, camped out at 
night and did their own cooking. They arrived in 
Nashville in time to hear Clay's speech and were 
invited on the platform, where they sang several 
songs. When the AVhig part}' went down Judge 
Matheny cast liis fortunes with tiie American party 
and later with the Republican party, which was 
then in its infancy. Becoming dissatisfied with its 
principles, he joined the Democratic party just be- 
fore the war began. So great has been his popu- 
laritj' that in two campaigns the Republicans made 
no nomination for County Judge against him. 
Last spring he declined to have his name go before 
the Democratic primaries, and was subsequently 
endorsed by the Republican County Central Com- 
mittee as an Independent candidate. 

Judge Matheny had been a member of the Ma- 
sonic order since 1842 and with the exception of 
tlie Rev. Francis Springer, was the oldest Mason 
living in Springfield. He l)elonged to Springfield 
Lodge No. 4 ; Springfield Chapter, No. 1 ; Elwood 
Commandery No. 6, and the Carson Consistory of 
Chicago, having reached the highest degree possi- 
ble. He assisted in tlie initiation of Stephen A. 
Douglas as a Royal Arch Mason. He became a 
member of Washington Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., 
when it was instituted in 1838 or 1839 and after 
its charier was surrendered he joined the Sangamon 
Lodge, No. 5. He was always a prominent Odd 
Fellow, had filled the various Chairs and re|)re- 
sented the lodge several times in tiie Grand Lodge 
of Illinois. In the Masonic fraternity he had also 
an official rank. He was a charter member of 
Springfield Lodge, No. 158, B. & P. O. E., and but 
a few days before his death had presided at a meet- 
ing of the society. Besides these orders he be- 
longed to Mozart Lodge, No. 106, A. O. U. W., 
and to Stephenson Post, No. 30, G. A. R. He was 
one of the most valued and esteemed comrades in 
the post and one of the most vigorous defenders of 
the order. 

February 11, 1845, in this city, Mr. Matheny was 
married to Maria L. Lee. The bride was horn in 
Greene Count}', 111., in 1827. to Samuel and Mary 
Lee. Her father died when she was quite j'oung and 
hef mother subsequently married Senator E. D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



301 



Baker, removing lo Sprinofielrl, where our subject 
made the aequaintniice of the daughter. The happ^- 
union was blest by the l)irth of five sons and two 
daugiiters, namely : Lee, for many j-cars a clerk in 
the post-offlee and now engnood in the real estate 
business; P^dwaril Dow, Deputy Count}' Clerk; 
Lucy and Xorah, both of whom live at liorae; 
.lames H. Jr., an attorne}'-at-law ; Ralph C, a med- 
ical student, and Robert, an attoniej'. 

The Old Settlers Association of Sangamon 
County held its first meeting in October, 1852. 
.Judge Matiieny was one of the originators and de- 
livered the oration at the first reunion. For3'ears he 
was Secretary of the society and had recently been 
its President. A ready S|)eaker, his addresses were 
replete with rumor and incident, and he was there- 
fore frequently in demand at gatherings of other 
organizations, as well as that of the society. A lew 
years ago he delivered the address in lielialf of Illi- 
nois at the Tri-State Old Settlers' Reunion, of 
Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, held at Keokuk, Iowa, 
and the week before his death delivered addresses 
before the old settlers at Farmers City and lieca- 
tnr, and before the One Hundred and Thirtieth Ill- 
inois Infantry at Champaign. The first regular Old 
Settlers Association that ever met is that of San- 
gamon Count}', although similar organizations are 
now known everywhere. 

.Tudge Matheny was a warm friend of both Lin- 
coln and Douglas and was intimately acquainted 
with Logan, Baker and other men prominent in 
the early history of the city and Stale, as well as 
numbers of those well known at the present time. 
Ilis funeral was attended by the Governor and 
other men of note, as well as by prominent business 
men and those in the lower walks of life who laid 
aside the implements of their various occupations 
to show to the world that there was truth in the 
reputation given Judge Matheny of having more 
friends than any man in the community. No other 
testimonial could have indicated as did this, the re- 
spect and esteem in which he was held. The vari- 
ous societies of which he had been a member at- 
tended the funeral in a body, as well as the 
surviving members of bis old regiment and the 
courthouse employes, and resolutions expressive of 
their feelings were passed by each. 



It is said by those who knew him long and inti- 
mately that in him were combined all the attributes 
of iwtriotism, friendship and citizenshi|), and that 
when his heart was stilled the coiuitr}- lost a val- 
iant soldier, a sound jurist, an eloquent la\7yer and 
ajaitbful friend. Although he had received large 
sums of money for public and private services he 
dill not leave a large fortune as he was generous to 
an extreme and an appeal to his charity never 
proved unavailing. Although gone from earth 

'•The light he leaves behind him 
Shines upon the heart of man." 

DAVIN L. CIIAPIN, an attorney at law lo- 
cated in Springfield, is a young man of fine 
-J^i education, logical mind and Christian charac- 
ter. He pursued his legal studies in the offices of 
eminent jurists, passed an excellent examination 
when admitted to the bar, and is working up a fine 
practice although it has been but a few years ?ince 
he began his labors. His bearing is that of a true 
gentleman, courteous and kindly, and even in the 
heat of a legal contest he does not forget what is 
due to the feelings of others. 

The father of our subject is an able minister of 
the Baptist Church now located at Chatham, this 
county. The Rev. \y. J. Chapin was born in 
Washington County, N. Y., Sejitember 20, 
1821, and acquired his education in his native 
State. Soon after attaining to manhood he re- 
moved to Wisconsin and entered upon his minis- 
terial work at Mauston. At Sun Prairie he married 
Miss Harriet L. Horton, a native of that place, who 
died when our subject was a child not yet three 
years old. In 1870 the Rev. Mr. Chapin removed 
to Illinois making his home for a time in Madison 
County, but in 1880 removed to his present place 
of abode. His family consists of Lucius H., now 
an editor at Brighton; HattieJ., her father's house- 
keeper; and the subject of this notice. 

The gentleman of whom we write was born in 
Mauston, Wis., April 23, 1857. He received his 
education mainly in Shurtleff College, Upper Al- 
ton, this State, after wliich he r?ad law one j' ear in 



302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the office of Judge Cyius L. Couk, of Madison 
Comitj'. He completed liis legal studies under the 
instiuclion of William F. Ilerndon, of Sprinotield, 
and was admitted to the bar May 17, 1883. He at 
once located in this city and has most of the time 
been alone in his practice. In the midst of his 
legal labors he finds time to work actively in the 
Prohibition party. He is a member of the Baptist 
Church. 

Realizing that it is not good for man to be alone 
Mr. Chapin secured an intelligent, cultured and re- 
fined lady as his life companion. This was Miss iMary 
Leber, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Leber 
of this city wlio, prior to lier marriage, was labor- 
ing efficiently in the public schools. The home of 
the happy couple is gladdened by the presence of 
two sons — William L. and Roger E. Mr. Chapin 
is a member of Percival Lodge, No. 262, K. of 
P., Springlicld, 111. A portrait of our subject will 
be found on another page of this work. 



'2^^'- 



^' ACOB F. PRICE, M. D. was a physician of 
marked talent and abilitj' who was by 
education and nature exceptionally well 
(@^ fitted for the profession he so adorned, 
and which met with a severe loss in his untimely 
death July 26, 1885, while yet in the morn of life. 
For several years prior to his decease he occupied a 
prominent place among the leading practitioners of 
.Springfield, and was the beloved physician in many 
a household where his presence had brought healing 
or his sympathy had brought consolation in time 
of sorrow. We cannot think that such a noble life 
as his can cpme to naught, but we reverently' be- 
lieve that he has now entered "ni)on broader fields 
of action and dutj-, where nobler struggles shall 
task the strength and more precious crowns reward 
the victor ; where the iiopes and dreams of ea.ith 
shall be turned to sight and the broken circles of 
life be i;ouuded to the perfect orb." 

Dr. Price was a native of Woodford County, 
Ky., where he was born April 7, 1846, the young- 
est son of the Rev. Jacob F. Price, who was a well- 
known Presbyterian preacher and had charge of 



the church at Pisgah. Ky., a number of years. He 
died in June. 1847, while 3-et in the midst of his 
uscfulnsss. After his father's death our subject 
went to live with his grandmother. He was given 
especially fine advantages for obtaining a liberal 
education. AVhen thirteen years old he enlei-ed a 
private school at Nicholasville, which he attended 
two years. After that he was a student at Normal 
University, at Normal, HI., three years, and then 
commencf^d his medical studies with Dr. .Sidney 
Allen, at Winchester, K3'. A year later he became 
a student at the Louisville Medical University, 
from which he was graduated in 1867, he having 
in the meantime read medicine for awhile in 1865 
with Dr. Charles Ryan of S()ringfield. The Doctor 
established himself in piuctice in Clark County, 
Ky. In 1868 he became assistant surgeon at the 
.Soldiers Home at Dayton, Ohio. In 1869 he came 
to Coles County, 111., and opened an office in 
Charlestown. A year later he went to New York 
City, and attended a course of lectures at the Belle- 
vue Hospital Medical College. From there he 
went to Philadelphia, and for a short time was a 
student at Jefferson College in that city. In 1872 
he took up his residence in .Springfield, and in the 
couise of a few years built up an extensive prac- 
tice and was busilj' engaged here until the hand of 
death staid his career. He was devoted to his 
[jrofession and notwithscanding the many demands 
made upon him, he managed to keep abreast of 
the limes in all that pertains to medicine. He was 
a Mason and was Medical Examiner of the Ancient 
Order of Foresters. 

The good physician is of necessity more or less 
regarded with peculiar feelings of affection and 
friendship by those whom he has attended in sick- 
ness, but it is seldom that one of the profession is 
brought into such close and kindly relations with 
his patients as was our subject. His big warm 
heart and generous S3mpathies felt for their suffer- 
ings and attracted to him in turn the devotion and 
love of many whom he had helped either as a phy- 
sician or friend. It is said that his funeral was, 
next to Lincoln's, the largest ever held in Spring- 
fiel<l. This was due to his friendship substantially 
manifested toward the laboring poor. The hillside 
at the cemetery on the day of the burial was cov- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



303 



ered vvitli poor people who coulil not get to the 
farm to look for the last time upon the face of 
their beloved friend, but who desired to paj' their 
last respects to him and had gathered there to 
see his form laid to rest. Man}' of them brought 
bouquets of flowers as a tribute of their love, and 
even yet these tokens are found on his grave placed 
tiiere by unknown hands, probably by some one 
whom he had aided in life, though five years have 
passed away since his death. 

The physicians of the city met to express their 
feelings at the great loss tliat the medical profes- 
sion had sustained in the death of ])r. Price and 
from the lUuwis State Journal we take the follow- 
ing account of the meeting and of the resolutions 
offered : 

"A meeting of tlie ph3'sicians of the city was held 
at the Leland hotel yesterday afternoon to take ac- 
tion in regard to tiie death of Dr. Jacob F. Price. 
The meeting was called to order by Dr. II. Wohl- 
gemuth, who presided and Dr. I. S. Hughes acted 
as secretary. The following committee on resolu- 
tions was appointed: Drs. Townsend, Converse and 
Griffith, which committee will report at a future 
meeting. On motion it was unanimously decided 
to attend the funeral in a body. 

The following are the resolutions drafted by the 
committee:" 

"It is with feelings of profound sorrow that we 
have assembled to take action in memory of Dr. 
Jacob F. Price, who died on the morning of July 
26. 

As a member of the profession to which our 
brother belonged, we would feelingly give expres- 
sion of our condolence with those in sorrow, and 
our respect for him that is dead. 

We realize that we shall miss him in his labors 
and feel assured that tiiose to whom his services, 
have been so efficiently rendered will bear testimony 
with us that his ability and energy, connected with 
his untiring industry, gave him prominence in the 
profession of his choice. 

We sincerely regret that the summons should 
have come thus early, at a time when he was be- 
ginning to reap from the experience fast ripening, 
and that he could not have fully realized the hopes 
and ambitions of his life to whicli he was rapidly 
attaining. 

His memory will long be cherished by those in- 
limately acquainted with him on account of his 
frank, open disposition and unswerving integrity, 
which made him ever true in his dealings with men. 
Therefore be it, 



Resolved, That we gladly bear testimony to his 
excellent qualities as a physician and citizen, and 
humbly bow to the decree of the Supreme Being 
who doeth all things well, notwithstanding that we 
are permitted to but "see through a glass darkly." 

Resolved, That we extend our iieartfelt svm- 
patliy to his relatives and friends, and especially to 
the widow and clnldrpn,to whom he was so greatly 
attached and for whom he so fondly ministered. 

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be 
furnished to the daily press for publication, and 
that a copy be furnished tlie widow and children 
of our late brother." 

Dr. Price was happy in his marriage with Miss 
Jessie V. Loose, to whom he was wedded in 1872 
soon after coming to this city. Their marriage was 
blest to them by the birth of four children, namely : 
Jacob Loose, the eldest who is a clerk in the Farm- 
ers Bank at .Springlield; Charles Ryan, a student 
at the City High iSchool ; Jessie E., the only daugh- 
ter and Joseph Beidler, both of whom are at home 
with their mother. Mrs. Price is a daughter of 
Jacob V. and Elizabeth W. (lies) Loose, her par- 
ents being among the first settlers of Springfiled, 
which is her native city, Mrs. Price is a woman of 
much business talent and is operating the farm left 
by her husband with marked success, besides look- 
ing after her interests in coal mines, the Doctor 
having had one-eighth interest in two thousand 
acres of coal land and she having valuable individ- 
ual interests in other mines. Mrs. Price stands 
high socially, and religiously is a devoted member 
of the Second Presbyterian Church. The Doctor 
was a strong Democrat, and a Union man. 



-^^ 



OHN M. BALL stands In the front rank of 
tlie farmers and stock-raisei's of the present 
generation who are such valuable aids in 
conducting the extensive agricultural inter- 
ests of this county, and he is a fine type of its na- 
tive-born citizens. He comes of a well-known 
family, whose name has been associated with the 
history of this section of Illinois from early pio- 
neer times. He is a son of Judge Japhet Adams 
Ball who was during his life one of the principal 
citizens of this locality. 



304 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBI'M. 



Judge Ball was born in Madison County, Ky., 
July 5, 1800. He was a son of John Ball, a native 
of Virginia, who was a farmer by occupation and 
an early settler of Kentucky, locating in M.adison 
County in 1792. He went back to Virginia on a 
visit and there died. His wife was in lier maiden 
days, Nancy Adams. She came of a long lived 
race whil'; the Balls were short lived people. Tlie 
Judge was reared in his early Kentucky home and 
when a youth learned the trade of a blacksmith and 
worked at it in Nashville, Teun. In 1825 he came 
to Illinois with his brother, John S. They had but 
one horse between them and a shot gun and thus 
equipped traveled through the intervening wilder- 
ness and finally arrived on the present site of 
Springfield in the month of June. Mr. Ball engaged 
in farming in Clear Lake Township awhile and 
then bought land on Lick Creek, ^^'■oodside Town- 
siiip, wliere he fanned until he had three hundred 
and twenty acres of land. He lived there until 
1840 and then located on the lioraestead now occu- 
pied by our subject. He built the present sub- 
stantial dwelling in that year, and for some years 
he was engaged in operating a sawmill on Sugar 
Creek located on liis farm which lie had purchased 
with it. He manufactured a great deal of lumber 
and at the same time he superintended the im- 
provement of his farm. 

While living in Clear Lake the Judge was in the 
Winnebago War and served as First Lieutenant un- 
der T. M. Neal. He also took part in the Black 
Hawk War as a Captain in Maj. Thomas Long's 
regiment. He was Assistant County Judge for 
four years until the outbreak of the Civil War. He 
was one of the leading spirits here and Ball Town- 
ship was named in his honor. He was prominent 
in its upbuilding, zealously devoted himself to ex- 
tending its highest interests, and his death in April, 
1 880), at a venerable age, closed the life of one of its 
most venerated pioneers and most honored citizens. 
He had lived to see the county in which he took so 
much pride, well-developed and the wild prairies 
and forest land over which he used to hunt the deer 
and other wild animals when a young man, trans- 
formed into beautiful farms and flourishing towns 
and villages. The Judge was very successful as a 
farmer and became the owner of one of the most 



desirable farms in Ball Township, comprising two 
hundred and twenty acres of land. He had SI 00 
worth of slock in the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 
but never realized a cent from his investment. He 
was Justice of the Peace a good mary years and 
Commissioner of Highways for a long time. In his 
political affiliations he was a Democrat. 

The first marriage of the Judge was with .Sarah 
Henderson, a native of Tennessee, who died in 
1832, leaving two children — Clarissa and James H. 
The former married Jeremiah Penic and died in 
California. James died at the age of thirteen years. 
The Judge's second marriage was to Mrs. Marinda 
Davis who was born in South Carolina in 1800 and 
died in 1855. His third marriage was in Spring- 
field, September 3, 18G3, when he was united to 
Miss Melissa Morrison who was born in Seneca 
County, Ohio, January 29, 1840. 

Mrs. Ball is a daughter of James Morrison a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, who was a farmer and an 
early settler of Seneca County where he cleared a 
farm. In 1856 he left his pioneer home in Ohio 
and came to Illinois. He located in Montgomery 
C(Hinty where he farmed until he retired to Virden 
where he resides at the venerable age of eighty 
years. He is a devoted Republican in politics. His 
father was Alexander Morrison, who was a native 
of Pennsylvania and a pioneer farmer of Ohio, 
where he died. The maiden name of his wife was 
Rachael Evans and she was born near Harper's 
Ferry on the Potomac in Virginia. The grand- 
mother of our subject was a daughter of Walter 
Evans who was a farmer and died in Virginia. She 
died in New Virden in 1870. She was the mother 
of fourteen children of whom seven are now living, 
five daughters and two sons. The mother of our 
subject came here when she was fifteen j'ears old 
and now makes her home with him. She has two 
children, our subject, and Fannie M. who married 
William Davidson and resides in Seneca County, 
Ohio near Tiffin. 

John M. Ball was born on the old homestead on 
which he now lives March 28, 1865. He received 
his education in the district schools and was well- 
trained at home. lie was a manly, capable, self- 
reliant lad and at the youthful age of fifteen years 
began to take charge of the farm and now manages 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



86? 



it all. In 1885 he put in seven carloails of tile and 
has his land well drained. He has two hundred and 
twenty acres of land, of which one hundred and 
twenty is tillable and the rest is in pasture and 
timber, and all well fenced. Sugar Creek, which is 
never failing, waters it, so it is admirably adapted 
to stock-raising purposes, and our subject makes a 
specialty of raising full-blooded Poland-China 
hogs, and has some good horses, using two learns in 
operating the farm. He has a fine orchard and the 
l)lace is adorned by beautifid groves which, with 
its neat and substantial buildings m.ake it very at- 
tractive. 

Mr. Ball was married in Ball Township, June 13, 
1888, to Miss Nena Patterson. Mrs. Ball is a na- 
tive of McDonough Count}- and a daughter of 
■lohn and Kliza Patterson, formerly of McDonough 
County, where her father carried on farming. He 
subsequently removed to Ball Township, and was 
actively engaged at his occupation here until he re- 
tired to private life, in his pleasant home at Di- 
veruon. One child — Charles F., has been born to 
our subject and his amiable wife. 

Mr. Ball is a young man of strength and force 
of character, of fine personal habits, and is a bright, 
well-read young man, who is a credit to his native 
township, and is potent in elevating its citizenship. 
He is prominently connected with the Farmers 
Mutual Benevolent Association, having been char- 
ter member of Lodge No. 2705 and he belongs to 
the Modern Woodmen of America, at Chatham. 
His counsels are valued by his fellow-members of 
the Prohiliition Club, of which he is Secretary and 
he has been sent as a delegate to county and State 
conventions at Springfield. 



W 



f/lLLlAU C. JOHNSON, M. D., is one of 
the leading |)hysicians in the village of 
Pawnee and one whose earnest and con- 
scientious labors are rewarded by a flourishing 
business. He has been in almost constant practice 
here since August, 1862, and has striven to improve 
upon his early methods, as ever}' physician nuist 
wlio would keep pace with the new discoveries in 



medical science and profit by his own experience 
and observation. His studies did not cease with 
the beginning of his practice, but have continued 
year by year, and this is no doubt one of the rea- 
sons why he occupies the prominent place he does 
in the minds of the people. 

Dr. Johnson was born in Calloway County, Mo., 
December 30, 1838. Soon after his birth his par- 
ents, Thornton and Mildred (Harris) Johnson, re- 
turned to their native county, Fairfax, Ya. There 
our subject grew to manhood, pursuing his studies 
in the common schools until he was about twenty 
years of age. He then began the study of medi- 
cine and ere long entered Rush Medical College in 
Chicago, where he attended lectures during the 
term of 1860-61. He then began practice in 
iMontgomery County, 111., remaining there until 
August, 1862. when he decided upon Pawnee as the 
scene of his future labors. 

After having gained some [)ractical experience 
and beoome thereby better qualified to understand 
the many points brought out in the clinics of the 
sclicols. Dr. Johnson re-entered Rush Medical Col- 
lege in 1868 and was graduated therefrom at the 
close of the term. Returning to Pawnee he again 
took up his practice, which has increased with the 
needs of the people and the growth in population. 
Like many another busy man Dr. Johnson finds 
time to take a part in the civil and social affairs of 
the community, and was at one time quite an active 
politician. He formerly voted the Democratic 
ticket, but is now a Prohibitionist and one of the 
strongest advocates of the measures laid down in 
the party platform. He has held various town 
offices, and is one of the leading workers in the 
Christian Church, of which he is an Elder. 

The virtues and graces of Miss Mary J. Ham 
won the lasting regard of Dr. Johnson and aroused 
in him the desire to win her for his wife. His ef- 
forts proving successful the young couple were uni- 
ted in marriage in Auburn Township, February 13, 
1861. Mrs. Johnson was born in Morgan County, 
October 30, 1838, to Roland and Diana Ham. Her 
parents are now deceased, both having died in De- 
catur, Macon County. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson 
have two children, Alice B. M. and Carrie T., who 
are well informed, refined, and possess the social 



808 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



qualities which render them popular in society. 
They lost an infant daughter, Minnie H.,who died 
when about nine months old. 

Dr. Johnson is of English extraction and traces 
his ancestry through good old families of the Old 
Dominion. Ilis parents had a large family, eleven 
of their sons and daughters having grown to ma- 
turity and his connection is therefore quite an ex- 
tensive one. The determination and persistence 
which are such prominent traits in the English 
character are combined in him with the geniality 
and courtesy of the Southern gentleman. He is 
identified witli the Masonic fiaternity, belonging 
to the Blue Lodge in Pawnee, Chapter No. 92, in 
Auburn, and Elwood Coniniandery in Springfield. 
As success in a financial sense has crowned his la- 
bors in life, he has invested in real estate and done 
considerable toward the improvement of the vil- 
lage. He has erected a substantial dwelling for 
his own occupancy and built several other houses 
whicli he has disposed of. He also owns some three 
hundicd acres of outlying land in Pawnee Town- 
ship. 



^/ AMES A. VAN FLEET, editor and publislier 
of the Idea, one of the ablest temperance 
^ pidilications in the United States, is one of 
((^y the foremost representatives of the Prohibi- 
tion party, not only in Springfield his place of res- 
idence, luit in the State at large and is widely 
known throughout the whole country. A native of 
New Jersey, he was born March 9, 1839. When 
only seven years old his parents removed to Mich- 
igan and located in Livingston County where he 
grew to manhood, helping his father to clear a farm 
in the woods. His school advantages were limited 
but he embraced every opportunity possible to ob- 
tain an education, being a bright scholar and fond 
of books. He onl}' aver.aged two and one-half 
months each winter in attendance at school until 
he attained his majority when he became a student 
at Howell Seminary where he pursued an excellent 
course of study. In the winter of 1860-Cl he 
taught a district school but continued his studies 



in Howell during the summer time and in Septem- 
ber, 1862, entered Michigan University and was 
graduated from the classical department of that 
institution in 1866, having paid his own expenses 
mostly while in college. He subsequently entered 
the ministry of the Methodist Klpiscopal Chuich and 
for ten years was a member of the Michigan An- 
nual Conference. He had charge of several differ- 
ent churches. During three years he was stationed 
on the Straits of Mackinaw, two years on the Island 
of Mackinaw and one year at Cheboygan, just 
across the straits from the island. While at Mack- 
inaw be published a book entitled "Old and New 
Mackinaw," three large editions of which were 
printed and sold. The book was historical and 
descri|)tive of the Mackinaw region and sold rap- 
idly to the tourists who flocked to that region in 
great numbers every summer. The book also con- 
tained much valuable information never before 
published in regard to the earl}' history of Mich- 
igan. 

From an early age the subject of this sketch took 
a deep interest in temperance work and at length, 
deeming it his duty to devote himself more exclu- 
sively to this cause ceased to labor as a minister 
and became an editor and [jublisher. This was in 
1878. In that year he went to Grand Rapids, 
Mich., and established the Lever, a prohibition 
pa[)er and a [jioneer of its class. In 1880 he re- 
moved the paper to Detroit and successfully con- 
tinued its publication until March, 1883. Then, 
ambitious to secure a larger range of usefulness, he 
removed the paper to Chicago and was busily en- 
gaged in his chosen work there for several years. 

In the si)ring of 1889 Mr. Van Fleet accepted 
the State agency of the Total Abstinence Life As- 
sociation for Illinois and came to Springfield as the 
best point from which to push that work. In the 
early part of December of that year he bought the 
Idea which he now edits in connection with his 
work for that association. The Idea is a neat and 
attractive sheet, h'-.s a large circulation and is uni- 
versally considered one of the most influential or- 
gans of the Prohibition party. Through its columns 
its editor speaks in no uncertain tones of the evils 
of the liquor traflc and warns its many readers iu 
earnest and eloquent language of the serious phj'- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



809 



sical results of even the moderate use of alcoholic 
drinks. 

Our subject has been greatlj- aided in his noble 
work b}' his gifted wife, formerly Miss Funnie M. 
Lyon, to wliom he was married in 1SG6. Mrs. Van 
Fleet is..a niece of Miss Mary Lyon, founder of the 
celebrated Mt. Holyoke Seminary, of Massachusetts. 
They have three (Children — Edward, ^L^rgaret and 
Fred. Edward is now in business for himself in 
Detroit, Mich., but ALargaretand Fred are at home. 
They attend the High School and assist materially 
in the office. Fred works at the case and Margaret 
kee[)s the books. Mrs. Van Fleet, who is a woman 
of marked force of character and liberal culture, 
is President of the Sangamon Counlj' Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union. It is needless to say 
that Mr. Van Fleet is a pronounced Prohibitionist 
^nd a man of influence in the councils of the Pro- 
hibition party. He does some platform work. 



'OHNA. KING, M. D. The publishers of 
this Album would fail in their purpose of 
presenting to their readers an outline of the 
lives of the prominent citizens of the county 
were they to omit that of Dr. John A. King, of 
Springfield. This gentleman has arrived at his 
present position through a systematic course of 
application and perseverance, first in obtaining the 
means to carry on his studies, second as a student 
and lastly as a painstaking and thoughtful physi- 
cian. Although he has been located in Springfield 
only since June 15, 1885, he has built up a large 
and lucrative practice, which amounts to from $600 
to 1 1,000 per month. While he was attending the 
Electric Medical Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. 
John M. Scudder, Dean of the college, wrote his 
father thus: " I am glad to inform you that your 
son, John A. King, has made a good record during 
his three sessions, having a high per cent, on his 
examinations for a degree. Being well graduated 
he should make a .successful physician." This pre- 
diction has proved true. 

The parents of our subject were Michael and 
Bridget (Ford) King. They were living twelve 



miles from Syracuse, N, Y., when our subject was 
born, March 22, 1853. The father owned three 
hunilred and sixty acres of limber land, wliich he 
was clearing, in the town of Cicero. When the 
son John was six months old the family removed 
to Syracuse, where the father was engaged in the 
salt business, having gone to Cicero for the pur- 
pose of getting the wood off his land to use at the 
salt works in Syracuse. Our subject attended the 
High School and the Christian Brothers' College, 
and by reason of financial reverses suffered by his 
father, was obliged to work out all of his education 
except that of the lower departments. He began 
reading medicine when but nineteen years old, but 
was obliged to abandon his work for a time until 
he could earn money witli which to lake his lectures. 
Even in his early childhood he had displayed a 
decided bent toward the profession, having had a 
little play hospital in his father's attic with his play- 
mates for patients. 

When twenty-three years old joung King con- 
tinued his medical studies vrith Drs. Baker & Butter- 
field in Syracuse, N. Y., afterward taking his lec- 
tures at the medical institute before mentioned and 
being graduated therefrom in the year 1883. He 
had the privilege of graduation with two courses 
of study, but took up four, making up a part of 
them after being graduated. He began his profes- 
sional duties in Syracuse, remaining there until 
his removal to Springfield, and bringing with him 
to his new field of labor high testimonials from 
prominent men in the old. He is skillful in the 
diagnosis and careful in the treatment of diseases, 
continues his study of the human system and reme- 
dial agencies, and although well grounded both 
in physics and surgery, does not consider it right 
to abandon his investigations. This is the prime 
reason for his success, as all feel confidence in a 
man who is continually endeavoring to gain in 
knowledge and skill. 

The following extract is from a letter by John 
J. Kenned}': 

'•It gives me great pleasure to certify that Dr. 
King, while in the possession of a large and lucra- 
tive practice in my palish, never forgot his duties 
as a good, practical Catholic." 

Dr. King is Examining Physician for two branches 



310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



of Hibernians in the oity. He belonged to the 
Modern Woodmen of America and to the Foresters' 
Order until the demands upon his time grew too 
numerous for him to attend to lodge work. He 
has not given any attention to politics. His re- 
ligious membership is in the Church of the Ira- 
maculate Conception. Dr. King won for his wife 
Miss Anna D. Ernsthausen, of Toledo, Ohio, with 
whom he was united in marriage September 15, 
1887. Mrs. King is a daughter of John Ernsthausen. 
of Toledo, Ohio, and sister of Henry E. Ernst- 
liauson, the prominent politician. She was born 
September 2, 1857, has been well educated and is 
accomplished and affable. Doctor and Mrs. King 
have two children — Eleanor B. and Klla S. 

P^rom the Daily Courier, published in Syracuse, 
N. Y., we quote the following regarding the father 
of our subject: '• Michael King died at his resi- 
dence early yesterday morning. He was an old 
and respected citizsn of this cit}-. He was born in 
County Tyrone, Ireland, seventy-two years ago, 
came to Toronto in 1833 and to this cit3' seven 
3 ears later. Being possessed of means, he enuaged 
in business as a Iniilder, man}' prominent buildings 
being constructed under his supervision. He was 
prominently connected with the salt interests of 
the city, also all charitable and business enterprises. 
He was also prominently connected with the Land 
League movement, was an admirer of Parnell and 
was always a consistent Democrat. He leaves a 
widow and seven chiklren — three sons and four 
daughters. The 3ouiigest son, Dr. John A. King, 
resides in the West." 



' ■ ' ' °^- 




HOJIAS WATTS is a stock- raiser of Sanga- 
mon County. He owns a fine farm of two 
hundred and sixty acres in Cartwright 
Township, where for a period of eight 3'ears he has 
made his home. He is a representative of one of 
the pioneer families of the county his father having 
settled in what is now Gardner Township in 1834. 
He is the eighth in order of birth in a family of ten 
children, the parents being Charles and Jilizabetli 
(Innis) Watts. His father was a native of Ver- 
mont and his mother was born in Ireland, but at an 
carlv day came to tliis country- and was reared in 



New York, where the early life of her husband was 
also spent. Ho was a lumberman and carpenter 
and did a fair business in the Empire State. One 
child was born unto them in New Y'^ork, Alexander 
I., and after their removal to Illinois the familj' 
circle was increased b}' the birth of nine children 
as follows: Ann Jane, Charles IL, Edwin, Albert 
B., Samuel W., Richard N., Thomas B., William 
and Mary E. Charles Watts was in very limited 
circumstances when he came to Sangamon County. 
After making his first purchase of land of eighty 
acres he h.ad but thirty-seven cents remaining, but 
he possessed great energj' and perseverance and 
was not afraid of work, so that at the time of his 
death by the exercise of good business ability he 
had acquired a handsome propertj' owning some five 
hundred acres of land. He was an influential citi- 
zen of the community and served as Supervisor and 
Township Trustee for years. His death occurred 
in 1884attheage of eightj'-one. His wife still 
survives him and is seventy-seven years of age. 

Our subject was born on the 16th of October, 
1850, in Gardner Township and when h° had mas- 
tered the branches of learning taught in the com- 
mon schools he attended the Business College of 
Quincy, where he was fitted for the ijractical duties 
of life. He has made a reputation as a stock-dealer 
second to none in the county. For the past fifteen 
years he has engaged in the breeding of fast horses 
and u|)on his farm now has forty head of thorough- 
breds. He is the owner of the celebrated runners 
Amelia and Joe Carter, which have now been 
ui>on the turf tor several years and have gained a 
splendid reputation. Herds of cattle may also be 
found upon the farm of Mr. Watts together with 
fine hogs in considerable numbers. He buys, feeds 
and sliips and in the pursuit of business has ac- 
quired a handsome competence. 

In 1880 Mr. Watts was united in marriage with 
Miss Janey H. Ridgelj-, of Springfield, daughter of 
Reddick A. Ridgely. Unto them have been born 
five children: Thomas B., Mar}* E., Alice, Janey 
and an infant. 

Politically Mr. Watts is a Democrat, and his wife 
a member of the Methodist Chui'ch. He is a man 
of unusual enterprise, thrift and energy and the 
success which has crowneil his efforts is well merit- 




t 



/ 



^r^^ Jaa^^ 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



313 



ed. He is rather conservative but is straightfor- 
w.inl and honorable in all his dealings, of a gener- 
ous disposition and in personal appearance is a fine 
looking man with nobility stamped upon Ins fea- 
tures. The friends of the family are manj- and 
bolli Mr. and Mrs. Watts are worthy the higii es- 
teem in which they are held. 



<<1 I^ILLIAM D. DERRY. On the opposite 
\/\/li P'''o^ •* presented a portrait of this gentle- 
V^^ man, who is one of the large landowners 
of Sangamon County. He is widely and favorably 
known throughout Central Illinois, and among his, 
neighbors in Rochester Township where he resides 
he is highly respected. He belongs to one of the 
early Virginia families which in Colonial days was 
founded in America. His father, Christian Derry, 
wns born and reared in Loudoun County, Va., and 
on attaining to mature jears wedded Susan Cams, 
a native of Frederick County, Md. He then re- 
turned with his young bride to the county' of his 
iiativit)', where tliey spent their entire lives. The 
fifth in order of birth in their family of eight chil- 
dren was William D., whose birth occurred on the 
yth of November, 1826. The first twenty-seven 
years of his life were spent in Loudoun County, 
where he became familiar with the occupation of 
farming in all its details and acquired a common- 
sciiool etiucation. 

On the 5th of February, 1852, in Frederick 
County, Md., Mr. Derry led to the marriage altar 
Miss Mary A. Rhodes, daughter of Peter and KHz- 
abpth (Feaster) Rhodes, both of whom were na- 
tives of Frederick County. Thence they removed 
to Sangamon County, III., in 1864, locating in 
Rochester Township, where they made their home 
until called to the home beyond. Mr. Derry, upon 
his marriage, turned his attention to farming in 
Virginia, where he remained until the fall of 1853, 
when with his wife and one child he started west- 
warrl, following the course of emigration until he 
hud reached Sangamon County, HI. Thirty-seven 



years have passed since that time, but during that 
period Mr. Derry has known no other home than 
the farm in Rochester Township upon which he 
first located. To say that he has met with pros- 
perity in his business career onl^' feebly expresses 
tlie success which has crowned his efforts. He be- 
gan life with no capital save a young man's bright 
hope for the future and a determination to succeed, 
come what would, and pushing his waj- forward, 
overcoming by perseverance the obstacles in his 
path, he has at length reached the goal for which 
lie had so long striven. As before stated he is one 
of the large landowners of the county, his posses- 
sions aggregating between six liundred and seven 
hundred acres. He has made many excellent im- 
provements, developed his land, and erected all the 
buildings neeessarj' to a model farm of the nine- 
teenth century-. 

Elizabeth S. was an infant when she was brought 
by her parents to this county. She is now the wife 
of William Cantrell and is living in this commu- 
nity. Six other children came (ogladilen the home 
with their presence, and with one exception all 
lived to mature years. John W. died at the age of 
nineteen years; Charles M. died at the age of twen- 
ty-four years; Nora A. is the wife of James C. 
Baker; Mary D. is the next younger; Jessie G. is 
the wife of John E. Miller; and James E. died when 
twenty-one months old. The family have a pleas- 
ant home on section 2, Rochester Township, llie 
commodious residence is tastefully furnished and 
supplied with many of the comforts of life, and 
hospitality there abounds, making it a favorite re- 
sort with man}' friends. The parents are active 
members in the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
faithful workers in the Master's vine^'ard, doing 
what they can to advance and promote tlie inter- 
ests of the church. Mr. Derry takes quite an 
active part in political affairs and is a warm 
supporter of Republican principles. Thirtj'-seven 
years have passed since he came to Jtlie county — 
years in wliich he has pros|ien'd, j^et his life lias 
not been all sunshine. The loss of his children 
has brought many a sad hour to himself and es- 
timable wife, but with faith and trust they are look- 
ing forward to the day when they shall again be 
united. 



314 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 




r;ILLIAM E. MILLER, who is engaged in 
o-eneral farming on section 34, Rochester 
Township, is a representative of one of the 
early families of the county where his entire life 
has been passed. He was born in Cooper Town- 
ship, October 30, 18.55, and is a son of Joseph Mil- 
ler, a native of Virginia, who during his youth 
emigrated westward, locating in this county, wliere 
he formed the acquaintance of Miss Louisa Branch. 
Tliey were united in marriage, and upon a farm 
in Cooper Township they began their domestic life 
and there still make their home. Their union has 
been blessed with ten children, six sons and four 
daughters. 

Of the family, William E., wliose name heads this 
slielch, is the tliird in order of birth. His early life 
was unmarked by any event of special importance, 
as llie days of his boyhood and youth were spent 
in the usual manner of farmer lads, while his edu- 
cation was acquired in the district schools of the 
neigldiorhood. He remained with his father, assist- 
ing him in the cultivation and improvement of the 
old homestead until his marriage, which was cele- 
brated in Cooper Township on the 27th of Decem- 
ber, 1877, the lady of his choice being Miss Luella 
McCune, who was the fourth child in a family of 
five children born unto John M. and Jane (Baker) 
McCune, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, 
but at an early day in the history of this State 
made their way to Sangamon County, where they 
are still living, tlieir home being in Rochester 
Township. 

!\Irs. Miller was born in Cooper Township June 
10, 1858, and has become the mother of four cliil- 
(ben, all sons: George W., Ralph E., Homer L. 
and Joseph H. This family resides in Rochester 
Township upon the farm where Mr. and Mrs. IMil- 
ler beo-an their domestic life. The occupation to 
which he was reared lie lias ra.ade his life work and 
a well-improved farm comprising one hundred and 
thirtv acres pa.ys tribute to his care and cultiv.ation. 
He raises all kinds of grains adapted to tiiis climate 
and keeps on hand good grades of stock. The farm 
is also improved with good buildings and the home 
with its entire surroundings indicates the owner to 
he a man of tlirift, enterprise and good manage- 
ment. In politics he supports the Democratic par- 



ty and keeps himself well informed on all the 
leading issues of the day, both political and other- 
wise. He is a valued citizen and one wliom his 
fellow townsmen respect. 




RS. AD ALINE E. GRUBB, who resides 
on section 2, Rochester Township, was 
born in Essex, N. Y., Augusts, 1831, and 
is the fifth in order of birth in a family of 
twelve children whose parents were John and Maria 
(Jaques) Lock, both of whom were natives of Ver- 
mont. They however resided in the Empire State 
prior to their emigration to the West in 1831. Illi- 
nois was chosen as the scene of their future labors 
and in Rochester Township, .Sangamon County, 
they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Lock 
devoted himself to farming and both were highly 
respected citizens. 

The early life of Mrs. Grubb was unmarked by 
an}' event of special importance. Surrounded by 
loving home influences she was reared to woman- 
hood and on attaining to mature years she gave 
iier hand in marriage to Samuel Grubb, a native 
of Loudoun County, Va., born July 21, 1819. Their 
wedding was celebrated in Rocliester Township, 
November 19, 1851, and they began their domestic 
life in Macon County, 111., where they spent one 
year. Returning to Sangamon Count}', they settled 
upon a farm on section 2, Rochester Township, 
where Mr. Grubb spent the remainder of his days. 
He was an influential citizen of the community 
and held a number of local offices, discharging the 
various duties in a |)rompt and able manner that 
won him the respect of all concerned. In his busi- 
ness he prospered, owing to his untiring efforts, his 
enterprise and perseverance, and left his family in 
comfortable circumstances. At the time of his death 
he owned one hundred and forty acres of fine 
farming land in this county and also a one hundred 
and twenty acre tract in Marion Count}', Kan. 
His death occurred January 1, 1889. Many friends 
and acquaintances shared in the deep grief wliicii 
fell upon the Grubb household when the husband 
anfl father was taken away, for he was a valued 



PORTRAIT AND BIOU^RAPHICAL ALBUM. 



316 



citizen and a iiind friend and neiglibor, while for 
liis family it seemed tiiat hecotdd notdotuo miieli. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. (u'ubb, twelve in 
number, are: Samuel C. who marrieil Miss Helen 
Dare and resides in Arkansas; Mary M., who died 
at the age of eight months; Maud who died in 
infancy; Jessie A., wife of Addison J. Deyo; 
Rachel J., wife of James G. Sidener; Albert C, 
who married Miss S. A. Deyo; Daniel G., who 
died at the age of two jears; William O., a far- 
mer in this county; Adaline M.. who died at the 
age of two j'ears and two months; Oscar B., Cro- 
martie J. and John T. 

The children have been given good common 
school educations and are thereby fitted for the 
practical duties of life. The friends of the family 
are many and their home is the abode of hospital- 
ity. As before stated a good property left them 
in comfortable circumstances on the death of the 
husband and father, and Mrs. Grubb is managing 
the home farm. She is a most estimable lady 
and well deserves a representation in this volume 
for she is numbered among the earl^- settlers of 
the county where she has lived since her baby- 
hood. She has witnessed much of its growth 
and progress, its development and advancement 
and feels a pride in the position which it to-day 
occupies among the other counties in this vast com- 
monwealth. 



f 



\TJOSEPH H. COLLINS, A. B., A. M., Superin- 
tendent of Schools and Secretary of the 
Board of Education for the city of Spring- 
field. It is generally conceded that the 
future hope of our Nation lies in the schools of to- 
day. How necessary is it then, that our educational 
system shall be in charge of men of practical 
experience, b*: th as students and instructors, and 
having a deep regard for the moral bearing as well 
as the intellectual training of the school-room. It 
is well for the rising generation of Springfield that 
this is true of the Board of Education and particu- 
larly of the Superintendent of the Schools. 

Mr. Collins was born January 5, 1851, in Scot- 



I land County. Mo., and grew to maturity under the 
roof of his parents, John and Eliza (Buskirk) Col- 
lins. He pursued his advanced studies in the La- 
Grange College at LaGrange, Mo., being graduated 
in the class of 1875 with the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts and receiving the degree of Master of Arts 
from the same college in 1878. Soon after his 
graduation the young man spent a year as a tutor 
in his Alma Mater, afterward being elected Super- 
intendent of Schools at Canton, Mo. After holding 
that position three years he came to Springfield in 
August, 1880, to take charge of the First AVard, 
now the Palmer School. His faithfulness and effic- 
iency during the ensuing three years led to his 
election as Principal of the Higli School, in wliich 
capacity he served for five years. He was then 
elected to his present position and is now beginning 
the third year of his service as City Superintendent. 
He ilevotes himself with sedulous attention to the 
oversight of the schools, laying aside everything 
which will interfere with that work. 

The number of school buildings in Springfield is 
eleven, and eighty teachers are employed, whose 
salaries range from 130 to $1G0 per month. The 
maximum attendance in the intermediate depart- 
ment is fifty and in the primary, sixtjf pupils in each 
room. The total enrollment of scholars is three 
thousand six hundred and flfty-nineand the average 
attendance during the last ten months was two 
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight. The 
careful consideration of the needs of this large 
number of pupils, the oversight of the work being 
done by the corps of teachers, and the consultations 
with instructors and patrons fill the hours with busy 
labor which is conscientiously performed. The 
efficiency of the school system of the city is being 
increased, and each year sees greater practical re- 
sults in the increase of interest and riper thought 
of the pupils. 

Soon after his graduation Mr. Collins w.as given 
the position of office editor on the American Baptist 
then published in LaGrange, Mo., but now in St. 
Louis. He did considerable office and local work 
for the publication, but for the past fourteen years 
has been interested only in educational matters. He 
was one of the first stockholders in the Springfield 
Homestead Loan Association and has recently been 



816 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



appointed a Director. He is a consistent member 
of the Baptist Churcli and for seven or eight years 
prior to 1890, when ho resigned, was Superinten- 
dent of the Sunday-school. He is numbered in 
the ranks of,lthe Democratic party but is rather in- 
dependent in his use of the right of suffrage. 

At the bride's home in LaGrange, December 23, 
1875, Mr. Collins was united in marriage with Miss 
Julia, daughter of Dr. J. A. and Elizabeth (Prentiss) 
Hay, formerly of^this city."'^Mrs. Collins is edu- 
cated and refined, and well fitted to take her place 
with her husband in the cultured society of the city. 
Tlie father of our subject is a native of Kentucky, 
but removed to Missouri in 1835. He owned a 
farm upon which he m.ade his home about twenty 
years. He was formerly Judge of the County Court 
of Scotland County. He now lives retired from 
active labor, enjoying the comforts suited to his 
declining years. His faithful companion is now 
deceased. 



/AMES P. CAMPBELL, who is quite exten- 
sively engaged in farming and in raising 
cattle and swine in Loami Township, lives 
^^^^Jf/ in one of the most attractive homes in this 
part of the county. He is a son of an early pioneer 
of Morgan County, William Campbell, and was 
born in that section of Illinois, March 23, 1844. 

His father was a native of Murray County, Tenn., 
and migrated from there to Morgan County in the 
fall of 1830. He made the trip in a wagon and was 
accompanied by his father, James Campbell, who 
entered land in that county. James Campbell was 
a native of ^'irginia, and died about 1840. He 
served in the War of 1812. 

William Campbell was a soldier in the Black 
Hawk War. He removed to Scott County in 1848 
and there died in 1888, at the age of seventy -six 
years. He was very much prospered in his voca- 
tion as a farmer and at one time owned five hun- 
ilred acres of land. He sold out, however, and in 
1874 removed to the tovvn of Winchester, where 
he spent his remaining days. He was a member of 
the Regular Baptist Ciiurch, of which he was a 



prominent minister, engaging in preaching the 
gospel about fifteen years. He was a man of many 
solid virtues and was held .in high regard in his 
community. In early life he married Nancy 
Reeder, a native of Kentucky, who accompanied 
her father, Amos Reeder, to this Slate when she 
was quite j'oung. She was a member of the Bap- 
tist Church and died strong in the faith in 1869 at 
the age of fifty eight years. 

The subject of this biography was one of fifteen 
children of whom twelve are now living. In his 
youth he was given the advantages of a common- 
school education and at the age of twenty-three 
years started out in the world to fight life's battle 
on his own account. In the fall of 1867 he went 
to Anderson County, Kan., where he bought one 
hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land. He 
lived on it two years, activel}' engaging in its 
development and disposed of it at a good price in 
1869. The country there was then new and thinly 
inhabited, and doer and other wild game still lin- 
gered in that region. In the spring of 1870 Mr. 
Campbell returned to Scott Countj', and engaged 
in farmino'^as 'a renter three years. In 1873 he 
went back to Kansas and bought an interest in a 
cattle Ijusiness in Coffey Count}'. He herded cattle 
there one summer and the following winter came 
back to Illinois and fed cattle in Scott County. In 
the fall of 1874 he located in Loami Township, 
this count}', buying at that time the farm on which 
he has ever since made his home. This comprises 
one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved 
land. He has put up substantial buildings, and in 
1882 erected a large, handsome frame dwelling. He 
has developed his farm from its primitive wildness 
and by his own hard labor has made it one of the 
most desirable pieces of propert}' in the vicinity. 
He is quite largely engaged in stock-raising and 
every year ships from two to throe car-loads of cattle 
and a number of hogs. 

The marriage of our subject was celebrated Sep- 
tember 1, 1875, on which occasion he was wedded 
to Miss Lucinda Fisher, a native of this county and 
a daughter of John B. and Nancy (Webb) Fisher. 
Her parents were born in Kentucky and were among 
the early settlers of this county, coming here about 
1830. Her father took part in the war as a mem- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



317 



ber of tlie One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois 
Regiment, and gave up his life for his conntry in 
18G2. Her mother is still living. She has had 
twelve children, of whom seven surTive. Mr. and 
Mrs. Campbell have had seven children, naracl\': 
Allic May (deceased), John W., Nannie M., Edith, 
Joseph, Bertha and Earl. 

Ml. Campbell stands among the leading citizens 
of Loami Township. He has served it as Assessor 
one year and has been Justice of the Peace four 
3^ears. Politically he is a sound Democrat. Mrs. 
Campbell is a member of the Baptist Church and 
she and her husband are held in high consideration 
by the entire community. 



►§!-- 




■^-^i^ 



THOMAS SMITH is well known in this county 
as one of the enterprising and progressive 
i' .agriculturists of Curran Township. He owns 
one hundred and forty acres of prime land on sec- 
tions 13 and 14, where he has all the modern im- 
provements, making it one oi the most valuable 
tracts in the township. The house, barns and other 
outbuildings are commodious and substantial and 
especial pains has been taken to afford adequate 
shelter for the horses, of which Mr. Smith ra;ikes a 
specialty. The latest improved machinery is used 
in the transaction of the affairs of the estate, the 
owner being one who believes in labor-saving in- 
ventions and progressive ideas. 

Mr. Smith is a grandson of Thomas .Smith, a 
Virginian who accompanied his parents to Ken- 
tucky during the early settlement of that State. He 
married Elizabeth Peters. In 1819 he removed to 
Madison County, 111., and in 1822 came to this 
county. He took a claim in Curran Township, 
operated it a few j^ears, then removed to the vicin- 
ity of Springfield, where he continued farming for 
a time. He then retired on account of old age and 
spent his last years with his son John, the father of 
our subject. He was a soldier during the Black 
Hawk War. 

John Smith was born in Washington County, 
Ky., March 18, 1805, and was seventeen years old 
when he came to this county. When old enough 



to do so he entered land in Curran Township on 
section 26, splitting rails for fifty cents a hundred to 
get money with which to pay the fees. He worke.i 
by the day at farm work on the present site of 
Springfield and cut grass at seventy-five cents a day 
where the court house now stands. He was a very 
successful farmer, prospered in his undert.akings and 
Ijecame the owner of over one thousand acres of 
improved land. He was a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church for over fifty years and a pil- 
lar in the organization. He gave the site an<l 
81,000 toward the building of Mt. Zion Church, in 
which he was a Class Leader, etc. Politically he was 
a Democrat. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Jane Diennan. Her father. James Drennan, 
was born in South Carolina in 1786 and reared in 
that State, but afterward resided in Kentucky, 
where Mrs. Smith was born. Grandfather Drennan 
and his wife, Rebecca Everetts, came to this county 
in the spring of 1818 and spent the balance of their 
lives here. The marriage of our subject's parents 
was solemnized June 23, 1825, and was blest to 
them by the birth of six children. The wife and 
mother died in 1836 and the father subsequently 
married Rebecca Enix who was born in East Ten- 
nessee June 16, 1808. She is now jiving with her 
daughter, Mrs. David Miller, in Curran Township. 
The brothers and sisfers of our subject are William 
C, Rebecca, Elizabeth C, Lucy M. and Richard C. 
The last named lives on the old homestead in Cur- 
ran Township; Lucy is the wife of William Baibre 
and Elizabeth is the wife of William Poor, both of 
the same township. The other brother and sistii- 
are deceased. The half sisters of our subject are: 
Mahala J., wife of David Miller, and Martha H.. 
wife of A. J. Diennan. 

Thomas Smith was born April 4, 1827, in wli.nt 
is now Curran Township, and reared on the frontier 
prairies of Illinois. He was early set to work driv- 
ing oxen, guiding the plow, etc., and hauled wood 
to Springfield for $1.37^ a cord. The old log 
schoolhouse in which he pursued his studies is still 
st.anding on Lick Creek, a memento of the olden 
times. His school privileges were limited to the 
months when school was kept by subscription, but 
what he lacked in book love he made up in practi. 



318 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



cal observation and experience. The whole round 
of pioneer exjjeriences were his, even to malting 
the trip to St. Louis, which required ten daj's, dur- 
ing which he slept with the cano[)y of heaven for 
his covering and the prairie sod for his pillow. He 
hauled wheat there and sold it for thirt}' -seven and 
one- half cents perbusholand that place algo was the 
market to whicli hogs and cattle were driven. 
Mr. Smith vividl)' recalls the deep snow which 
is one of tlie epoclis in the history of the State. 

Tlie marriage of Tliomas Smith and Lucy M. 
Smith was solemnized in Springfield Township, Oc- 
tober 13, 1845. The bride was born in this county 
November 29, 1830, and is a daughter of Thomas 
and Mary (Cooper) Smith. Her father was born 
in Kentucky and was an uncle of our subject. He 
began farming in .Si»ringfield Township, this county, 
on eigiity acres of land which he bought witli 
money made by clerking for Mr. Hes, of Springfield. 
He died when sixty- eight years of age and his 
widow subsequently married Samuel Smith. She 
finally died at the home of our subject. The fam- 
ily of wliich Mrs. Smith was a member, includes the 
followingliving children : Mrs. Louisa Jones, now 
of Missouri; Striblin S., living in Ottawa, Kan.; 
Thomas E.. a resident of Clinton, this State; Mary, 
whose home is in Kansas; and of the second marriage 
Jolin H., living in Ottawa, Kan., and Amanda C, 
whose home is in Wichita. Two of the boys, — 
Thomas E. and John H., belonged to the Forty-first 
Infantry from 1861 until the close of the late war. 
Illinois. The maternal grandparents of ]Mrs. Smith 
were John and Elizabeth (Carter) Cooper, who were 
early settlers of tliis county, whither they had come 
from Tennessee. 

After his marriage our subject began farming on 
his father's land, establishing his home in a hewed 
log house, which was 16x18 feet. This house he 
moved three times, the last occasion being in 1857, 
when it was brought to the land lie now occupies. 
Until a few years since Mr. Smith owned two hun- 
dred and forty acres, all of which lie had improved 
from the raw state. He raises a large crop of 
wheat, sowing one hundred acres or more. He also 
raises and feeds hogs and buys and ships other 
stock, although not as heavily as of yore. In for- 
mer years he took train loads of cattle to New York 



City. His farm is well adapted for stock raising 
and feeding, as it is watered by AVithrow Branch. 
For ten seasons Mr. Smitli has run a threshing ma- 
chine, operating it by steam during the last two 
years. He also has a corn sheller and feed mill 
run by steam. 

Mr. Smith is a great lover of and a fine judge 
of horses, about whose peculiarities he is able 
to converse most intelligently and enjoyably. He 
has raised some valuable horses and always has a 
fine herd, some of which are standard bred and 
worth a round price. He was the owner of the 
pacer Gra\' Alice, one of the best pacers of her 
day, whose record was 2 -.23^. He sold her for 
$2,650, and has received as high as $600 apiece for 
colts. He had one pair of driving horses valued 
.at $1,450 and two teams worth 82,000 each. He 
keeps the Monon stock and can give anyone who 
desires, points on their good qualities. Mr. Smith 
was at one time President of the Blooded Horse 
Association and very active in the working of the 
society. He has acted as starter for the races times 
most without number. AVhen the Association fell 
$1,200 behind he paid the premiums from his own 
pocket and received it all back except $44. Mr. 
Smith attended the first fair ever held in St. Louis, 
Mo., was a stockholder in the first Sangamon Coun- 
ty Fair Association and acted as judge nearly every 
year until quite recently, when lie declined to serve 
longer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of seven sons 
and daughters, five of whom are happily settled in 
homes of their own. Louisa is the wife of G. M. 
D. Davis and lives in Springfield ; John is a farmer 
in Champaign County ; J. S. tills the soil in Cur- 
ran Township; Laura B. is the wife of Thomas 
Drennau of Curran Township; Alice is the wife of 
Robert M. Foster; Thomas, Jr., is farming in Cur- 
ran Township; Richard P. still resides under the 
parental roof. All have had good advantages and 
exhibit a marked degree of intelligence. 

Mr. .Smith was a member of the Board of Super- 
visors two years, has been Commissioner of High- 
ways six years and is still serving in the latter 
capacity. He is now efficiently discharging the 
duties of School Director. He is n very liberal, 
tree-hearted man, who helps in all enterprises which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



319 



promise to advance the public welfare, such as 
building schoolliouses and churches. His hospi- 
tality is unbounded and his estimable wife adds 
her cordiality and kindness to the charms of the 
welcome which is extended to acquaintances from 
far and near. Mr. Smith belongs to the Farmers' 
Mutual Benefit Association of Curran. He is strictly 
independent in politics, voting as he pleases and is 
a strong advocate of temperance. Mrs. Smith be- 
longs to tlie Methodist Episcopal Church. 



,*i~>- 



>^>^^^^^^^<f<-*<-- 



■yijOHN McGINNIS, M. D., a fine representa- 
tive of the noble veterans of the late war, 
has a well earned reputation as a skillful, 
safe, and careful practitioner, and is one of 
the best known physicians in the county. He is 
practicing his profession in Dawson and is a very 
busy man, for in addition to keeping well abreast 
of modern thought in the medical world, he has 
for a long time been engaged with signal success as 
a farmer and tine stock-raiser, and on his well- 
improved farms of three hundred and sixty acres 
he raises horses, cattle and hogs, of high standard 
grades. 

Our subject is a native of New England, boin 
in the State of Connecticut near the city of Hart- 
ford in 1843. He is a son of Tiiomas and Mary 
(Cunningham) McGinnis, who came from Ireland 
to America in 1825. They remained in Connecticut 
till 1857, and then came to Sangamon County, 
where the mother died in 1873. The father is 
still a resident here. 

Our subject was the fourth child in order of 
birth in a family of seven children. He was 
reared on a farm and laid the foundation of his 
education in the common schools. He w.as still a 
youth when the war broke out, and he watched its 
course with p,atriotic ardor, and as soon as able en- 
listed to serve his countr}', being mustered into 
Company B., One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois 
Infantry, October 25, 1862. He went with his 
regiment to Memphis, Tenn., and during the winter 
of 1862-63 was stationed at Ft. Pickering, near that 
city, and did provost duty. On the 27th of March 



he and his fellow-soldiers embarked on a steamer for 
Milliken's Bend, La., and when the great Yicksburg 
campaign was organized they marched with the 
regiment and were in the fight at Port Gibson. 
They took part in the battle of Champion Hills on 
the 16th of May, 1863, and on the following day 
again met the enemy at Black River. They subse- 
quently camped within three miles of Yicksburg 
and on the night of May 18, were on picket duty 
when the enemy burned all the buildings outside 
their defences and then retired. For forty-eight 
daj's our subject was one of those whose unceasing 
vigilance and bravery kept the Confederate army 
in the city of Vicksburg till its surrender on the 
Fourth of July. 

After the fall of Yicksburg, Dr. McGinnis and 
his comrades went to Jackson, Miss., and were 
active participants in the ten days' siege of that 
place. After its capture they returned to the banks 
of the Mississippi, whence they went in a short 
time to the Gulf department. During the winter 
of 1863-64, the regiment was stationed at various 
times at New Iberia, Decrow's Point, Berwick 
Bay and other places in Louisiana. In February 
1864, the One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois 
started oh the Red River expedition with Gen. 
Banks' command and took part in the fierce 
battle fought at Mansfield, where our subject was 
captured by the enemj-. He w,as taken to Tyler, 
Tex., where he was kept as prisoner of war for 
fourteen long and wear\' months, experiencing all 
the horrors of life in a rebel prison. He was sercrely 
attacked by scurvy, which almost disabled him, 
and he suffered many other hardships. He was 
honorably discharged on August 31, 1865, having 
won a fine military record for bravery and 
efflciency. He was one of our most loyal sohliers 
and previous to his capture had never missed duty 
and was never in hospital. At one time he was 
one of twelve who were the only members of his 
company ready for duty. 

As soon as the Doctor returned to civil life Jie 
commenced to study medicine under the tutelage 
of Dr. Winn, of Williamsville. C)n finishing his 
preliminary studies under the guidance of that 
excellent physican, he entered Rush Medical Col- 
lege at Chicago from which he was graduated in 



320 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



1870, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He 
immediately opened an office at Dawson, his 
present abode, and at once stepped into a lucrative 
practice which he has carried on successfully, till 
at the close of twenty years he has won a position 
of eminence among his medical brethren in this 
county. Besides attending to the duties of his 
profession he superintends his extensive farming 
interests. lie has acquired quite a reputation as a 
stockman. He takes especial pride in his horses, 
is an expert horseman and he acknowledges no 
superior as a driver of high mettled horses. 

Dr. McGinnis and Miss Mary L. Broad were 
married in 1S73. Mrs. McGinnis is a native of Mil- 
ton, Ky. She is a woman of fine character, pos- 
sesses read3' tact and is a charming hostess. The 
children born to her and our subject are Thomas, 
who died in infancy; Mary O., Cora May and Lulu 
Rose. These daugiiters are all at home and add 
greatly to the attractions of their father's hospitable 
abode. 

The Doctor is a prominent Mason, a member of 
Lodge No. 556, Dawson, 111. Politically he is a 
firm Democrat. He is a strong advocate of good 
schools and during a long career as a Director has 
stood for the liest instructors tliat could be obtained 
and it is greath' due to his intiuencc that the Daw- 
son schools stand in the front rank. The Doctor 
w.Ts for many years County Physician. He is a 
genial, whole-souled, hospitable gentleman, whose 
life is guided by the highest principles of honor. 



<X\ l>>ILLIAM P. LARRABEE, who is engaged 
\rJ// -n farming and stock-raising on section 30, 
*y^ Auburn Township, was born in IlarMand, 
Me.. March 21, 1825. The family was founded in 
America by three brothers of P^nglish birth, one 
of whom settled in Tennessee, another in Ports- 
mouth. N. IL, and the third in Maine. It is from 
the last brother that our suliject is descended. His 
grandfather, William Larrabee, a native of the 
Pine Tree State, followed the sea during the greater 
part of his life, and for several 3ears was a cap- 
tain. He went on several whaling voyages, ancl 



visited many different countries on the face of the 
globe. At length he left the sea, and in Danville, 
Me., spent the remainder of his life, dying at the 
advanced age of ninety-four years. His father, 
who was also a seafaring man, served in the Revo- 
tionary War, and he enlisted in the War of 1812. 
Hon. William Larrabee, father of our subject, 
was born in Danville, Me., and was a prominent 
citizen of the community in which he made his 
home. He filled various offices of honor and 
trust, for many years was Justice of the Peace, for 
one term was County Commissioner, and twice rep- 
resented his district in the State Legislature. 
Farming was his life occupation, and he owned, 
cleared and developed one hundred acres of land 
in Somerset County-, Me. He was accidentally 
killed by falling upon a rake while throwing down 
hay from the barn loft. The handle pierced his 
body and caused him to bleed to death. He was 
a most popul.ir man, well educated, genial in man- 
ner and courteous in deportment. He died in the 
faith of the Universalist Church, at the .age of fifty- 
seven years. 

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Sallie Plummer, was born in Danville, Me., 
and was a daughter of Capt. Plummer, who lost 
his life at sea near the Isle of Wight. Siie was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
her death occurred in the Pine Tree State, in 1877, 
at the age of eighty-three j'ears. Their children 
were as follows: William P.; Jacob, who died in 
M.assachu setts at the age of twenty-one; Mrs. Jane 
Merrifield died in Maine, in 1888; H. W., who was 
born in Maine, in 1 830, and went to California in 
the spring of 1852, where he engaged in mining, 
returned to his native State the following year, and 
in 1860 came to Sangamon County, where he owns 
and operates eighty acres of land in Auburn Town- 
ship; Andrew J. makes his home in Denver, Col., 
but is now traveling over the country on a pleas- 
ure trip; John died in Maine; George is living in 
Wheatland, Cal., and Stephen died in 1889, in 
Cloverdale, Cal. 

Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and 
youth in the usual manner of farmer lads, and re- 
ceived such educational advantages as the common 
schools of thai clay afforded. As soon as he waa 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



32.J 



large enough to reach the plow handles he began 
work upon his father's farm vvhere he remained 
until the age of twenty-one. lie then left the pa- 
rental roof and went to Somerville, Mass., about 
two miles from Boston, where lie engaged in briclc- 
nialving for nine summers, his winters being spent 
in the timber land of his native .State. lie made 
two trips to the West Indies for pleasure during 
that time, and has traveled extensively over this 
country, both north and south, east and west. Me 
visited tlie Crystal Palace in New York City, and 
in the winter of 1852 started for California, going 
by the Panama route. The vessel drifted upon a 
sand bar near .San Diego, and they were twice 
transferred, rcaelung their destination after two 
months. 

Mr. Larrabee spent about a year and a half in 
tlie mines, and in the spring of 1854 returned to 
Maine. The spirit of adventure was still upon 
liiu), and in that summer he visited Illinois and 
other Northern States, traveling for pleasure. So 
well pleased was he with the southern portion of 
the Prairie State that in September, 1854, he made 
a permanent location in Auburn Township, pur- 
chasing two hundred and thirty-two acres of raw 
land. Tliis ho placed under the plow, transformed 
the wild prairie into richly cultivated fields, and 
added many improvements which greatly enhanced 
its value. lie has put up two good windmills, 
erected two large barns and a comfortable resi- 
dence. Corn is the principal cereal which he 
raises, and he does quite an extensive business in 
the line of stock-dealing, making a specialtj' of 
Poland-China hogs and full blooded Holstein cat- 
tle. A man of more than ordinary business ability 
he has met with prosperity, and is recognized as 
one of the leading and prominent farmers of the 
community in whicli he makes his home. A view 
of his residence and pleasant farm surroundings 
will be found on another page. 

In the Capitol City, in 1859, Mr. Larrabee wed- 
ded Miss Mar3' Church., a native of Ilartland, Me., 
and a daughter of Hanson Church, a Maine farmer. 
Their union has been blessed with four children : 
The eldest, Prof. William II., was educated in 
Dixon, 111 , Lebanon, Ohio, and the college of Val- 
paraiso, Ind., and is now a successful teacher of 



the county; Francis H., James and Sarah A. are at 
home. Mr. Larrabee has served as School Di- 
rector, and is a supporter of Democratic princijiles. 
A public-spirited man be gives his hearty support 
and co-operation to every worthy enterprise calcu- 
lated to benefit the community. His wife, an es- 
timable lady, is a member of the Methodist Church. 



eHARLES C. CROMWELL is conducting an 
excellent business as insurance aeent and 
_ real-estate dealer in Springfield, with his 
office at No. 317, South Fifth Street, and for 
more than a decade has been an active factor in 
promoting the growth of the city. He is a native 
of Frederick City, Md. born July 7, 1844, to 
George W. and Mary E. (Storm) Cromwell. His 
father was an old resident of thatcit}', having gone 
there from New York, his native State, and he was 
one of the leading merchant tailors of the place. He 
was there married and reared a family. He closed 
an honorable and well-spent life in 188G. He was 
a consistent member of the Lutheran Church and 
was in every way worthy of the high regard in 
which he was held. 

Our subject passed the first sixteen years of his 
life in the city of his nativity. In 18G0 he came 
to Christian County, this State, coming here in the 
spring and living in Taylorville until the fall of 
1863 when he took u|) his residence in this city. 
Having served a regular apprenticeship at the 
carpenter trade he followed that business for some 
years and finally accepted a position as clerk in 
the store of J. H. Adams, who dealt in hats, cajis, 
and gentlemen's furnishing goods. He subsequently 
began to mingle in public life and for two years 
was Deputy Sheriff of the county. In 1879 he es- 
tablished himself in the insurance business with E. 
P. Beach and was very successful in that venture. 
He was afterward asso( iated with Beach & Ticknor, 
then with L. H. Ticknor, and finally the firm name 
was changed to Herman & Co., who still continue 
in the business; our subject being the oldest man 
connected with it and having the management of 
the insurance department, conducts the largest 



324 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



business in tlmt line in this city, representing a 
number of prominent insurance companies. 

Mr. Cromwell and Miss Phoebe H. Adams were 
united in marriage in the month of November, 
1875. Mrs. Cromwell is a daughter of the late 
well-known Josiah H. Adams, an old settler of this 
city. He came here as a practical hatter an<l en- 
gaged in that business until within a few years of 
his death when he moved to Montgomery County, 
where he passed his last years on a farm. 

Mr. Cromwell is a stirring, wide-awake man in 
business, is shrewd, keen and far-sighted in his 
transactions, and is withal honorable and fair 
dealing. He is prominently connected witli Cen- 
tral Lodge No. 71. A. F. & A. M., and has held all 
liie important otlices, having been Master of the 
Lodge for three years, and he is also a charter mem- 
ber of one of the oldest lodges. Capital Lodge, No. 
14, K. of P. He has never been an active politi- 
cian but has given his attention exclusively to his 
business. Religiously he is a Lutheran, is an at- 
tendant of the church of that denomination in this 
city, and is very active in its support and in help- 
ing to carry on its good work. 



•v-r*~ 



-S^^- 



* .i ^ " ' 




LEX. MULLER. The dairy interests of 
Sangamon County are worthily represented 
by the subject of this biographical review 
i^J who is the proprietor of the well-known 

Walnut Grove Dairy, and whose headquarters are 
at his present homestead on section Hi, Woodside 
Township. There he is ably conducting a large and 
flourishing business and accumulating a compe- 
tency for his declining j-ears. His fine farm com- 
prises one hundred and twenty-two acres of good 
land pleasantly located and thoroughly cultivated 
and improved. The residence is a commodious 
structure conveniently arranged, while the various 
outbuildings necessary to the successful operation 
of his business are substantial and extensive. 

The gentleman who is at the head of this busi- 
ness is a native of Switzerland, and in that land 
which has given the world so many able men he 
was born September 22, 1841). lie is at the present 



writing in the prime of life and has before him the 
prospect of an old age of honor and comfort. He 
passed the years of childhood and youth in his na- 
tive countrj' and there remained until he was about 
twenty-four yeais of age. Having resolved to seek 
the land across the ocean he left Switzerland and 
in 1873 crossed the broad Atlantic, linally anchor- 
ing at New York City and proceeding directly to 
Chicago. 

During the year following his arrival in Amer- 
ica our subject was variously engaged, and in 1874 
came to Sangamon County, where he lias since re- 
sided. Although poor when he came here, his in- 
dustry and persistent toil did not fail of their re- 
ward, and he gradually became independent in his 
resources. In the fall of 1 888 he was enabled to 
invest the accumulated savings of years in his 
present estate of one hundred and twent3'-two acres, 
and here he has since continued to live, devoting 
his time to the dairy business, in which he em- 
barked in 1873. 

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage 
September 6, 1875, in Sangamon County, 111., with 
Miss Bertha, daughter of John and Kale Zimmer- 
man. Mrs. MuUer was born in Bellevue, 111., De- 
cember 10, 1855, and was there reared to woman- 
hood, receiving the advantages of a common-school 
education. She is a most estimable lady and is 
highly esteemed liy a large circle of friends. To 
her and her husband eight children have been born, 
who are named as follows: Rose, Henry, John, 
Emma, Anna, Mathias, Maria and Bertha. The 
children are bright and intelligent and will in due 
time receive the best educational advantages, as 
they are now being carefuU}' trained at home for 
future positions of trust and honor. 

In their religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Muller are 
in sympathy with the teachings of the SS. Peter and 
Paul Church, and are ever ready to aid, by word 
or deed, those who stand in need of help. Polit- 
ically Mr. Muller votes the Democratic ticket, be- 
lieving the principles of that partj- to be most 
nearly correct. However, he is so engrossed with 
the duties of his occupation that he does not care to 
accept public office and give up the duties of his 
dairy for the more exciting cares of public posi- 
tion. He has "on his farm sixty or seventy cows 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



325 



and sells the milk in the city of Springfield. Tluough 
the medium of his business, as well as in other 
vv.ays be has become well known and is universal!}' 
esteemed. 



«S?»•^-♦«^^*^~ 



»rS<»^w^»;^ 



<|l ljfeESLP:Y HATHAWAY. Buffalo is the 
\/\i// ''O™^ of one of the few men now living in 
\^\§ .Sangamon County who may be considered 
landmarks of early Illinois and who have lived to 
see the land well developed, churches and school - 
houses multii)lied, railroads span the State and 
every evidence of high civilization manifested in 
the region that was once a wilderness. For more 
than a half century Mr. H.athawaj- has beun closelj' 
identified with the commercial life of this county, 
a period probably not exceeded by any merchant 
within its bounds. At present his business is that 
of a dealer in general merchandise in Buffalo. 

Mr. Hathaway is a native of Kentucky and was 
born in Boone County, December 2, 1814, and is a 
son of David Hathaway who was of New Jersey 
birth and emigrated to the Blue Grass State when 
that was known as the "dark and bloody ground." 
David Hathaway was a Revolutionary soldier. The 
meagre advantages furnished in the primitive 
schools were enjoyed by our subject during his 
boyhood and earl}' j'outh. AVhen seventeen years 
old, or in 1831, he came to this State, making his 
first stop at Jacksonville. After remaining in Mor- 
gan County one j'ear, living with the family of Dr. 
G. B. Rogers with whom he came to Illinois, he 
returned to his native State but in 1834 came to 
Illinois, stopping near Macomb and opening a store 
in what was then called Job's settlement. 

Mr. Hathawa}' remained there two years after 
which he took a trip over what was known as the 
Black Hawk Country. In 1838 he came to Mechan- 
icsburg and after teaching school one year began 
his career as a merchant in this county. Since he 
located in Mechanicsburg he has been a dealer only 
in that i)lace and Buffalo. 

In 1845 Mr. Hathaway won for his wife Mary 
M. Hall, daughter of David Hall who was one of 
the founders of this township. Mrs. Hathawaj- has 



proved the worth of her cliaracter by the manner 
in which she has discharged the duties which have 
fallen to her lot, and while in her own family she is 
regarded with reverent love she has made many 
friends outside the bounds of her home. Of the 
nine children born to our subject and his good wife 
four are now living, all residing in Buffalo. They 
are named, respectively, Alice, Walter A., David 
L. and Annie ]\Iay. 

Athough frail in body Mr. Hathaway has lived 
to a hearty old age, his longevity being due to his 
temperate and regular habits. He is one of the 
original Republicans in the State, having voted for 
Fremont in 18.5G. He h.as always been active in 
assisting those enterprises which promise to pro- 
mote the public good. The length of his member- 
ship in the JUethodist Episcopal Church is beyond 
precedent, even in this country of early Methodism. 
He united with the church when fifteen years old 
and has tiierefore been identified with the religions 
world for sixty-one years. 



-4- — • 




ILLIAM W. NORTHCUTT. Among the 
^jfl various business enterprises which the 
needs and tastes of mankind afford occas- 
sion for, that of dealing in real estate is by no 
means unimportant. Our cities afford a wide 
field for this pursuit and even the small towns are 
the centers of a similar trade. In Springfield one 
of the well-known real-estate men is William W. 
Northcutt, whose life it is our purpose to give in 
brief. He has experienced more than most men of 
the exciting and dangerous phases of life, and wit- 
nessed many incidents whose recital would prove 
very interesting had we the time and space to re- 
late them. 

The parents of our subject were Willis and Sarah 
(Turman) Northcutt, natives of Kentucky and 
Ohio respectively. In the maternal line ho is of 
Revolutionary ancestry and his grandfather Isaac 
Turman, was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving 
under Gen. Anthony Wayne. He aided in keep- 
ing the Indians from the new settlements and a 
brother of his located a farm on what afterward 



326 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



became the Tippecanoe battle ground in Indiana. 
The parents of our subject were among the early 
settlers in Clarke County, Ohio, whence the mother 
and her seven children came to this county in 
1839. A few 3-ears later the mother went back to 
her native State but subsequently returned to Illi- 
nois, after having married a Mr. Smith. Still later 
she lived in lon'a and finally in Oregon, where she 
died in 1871. 

Mr. Northcutt of whom we write was born in 
Clarke Count}', Ohio, March 1, 1835. Ke spent 
his boyhood in this county and at the age of fifteen 
years went to Oregon with two brothers driving an 
ox-team across the plains, lie remained in Oregon 
twenty -three j'ears and is therefore justly numbered 
among the old settlers in that State. For ten 
years he followed mining, then turned his attention 
to farming, devoting liimself principally to wheat 
growing near Salem. In 187.0 be removed to La 
Fayette County, Mo., where he resided until 1888' 
At that dale he took up his residence in Springfield, 
where he owns considerable real estate and has de- 
voted himself exclusively to the business of a real- 
estate broker. He still retains some interests in 
Higginsville, Mo. 

Mr. Northcutt has crossed the plains six times 
and can furnish all the information one may desire 
regarding the trip in earlier and later days. He 
served in all the Indian wars on the Pacific coast 
from 1851 to 1864, and in the latter year was with 
Col. Curry in an expedition after the Modocs, 
Snakes and Diggers. Mr. Northcutt never sought 
office but once as a candidate for sheriff in LaFa}'- 
ette County, Mo. He took an active part in the 
organization of the Republican party there and 
was a member of every convention during his resi- 
dence. He has always been energetic in political 
matters, being one of those who believes it to be a 
man's duty to cast his vote and bear a part in what 
is said to be " a government for the people and by 
the people." 

When Mr. Northcutt entered the marriage state 
it was his good fortune to secure a wife of great 
worth. On March 17, 1875, be was married to 
Rebecca Gamble a native of Ohio, but for a num- 
ber of j'ears a resident of Illinois. She is an active, 
papable woipan who sees that the domestic machin- 



ery runs smoothly and proves an interesting com- 
panion to husband, children and friends. A son 
and daughter — John S. and Sarah L. — have come 
to bless the union and both are being given excel- 
lent school privileges and careful home training. 




NDREW ANDERSON is the owner and 
occupant of a tract of land on section 14, 
Cotton Hill Township, which affords him a 
comfortable maintenance. It consists of 
seventy-two acres on which he has made good im- 
provements, among them the various buildings 
which befit the homes of peofile of good taste and a 
desire to enjoy life. Everywhere upon the estate 
one can see the impress of the character of the 
owner and the observer will readily conidude that 
the operator of the land was bred to farm work 
and has made it his life business. 

Before outlining the history of our subject a few 
words regarding his parents will not be amiss. His 
father, the late Joseph Anderson, was born in Ken- 
tucky and married Elvira Hall, a native of Virginia. 
The good couple made their home in the Blue Grass 
State until 1852, when they came to this count}', 
establishing themselves near Chatham. They were 
the parents of eleven children, of whom our subject 
was the second in order of birth. The father died 
near Loami and the mother subsequently married 
William Tweedy. 

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch 
was born in Garret Count}', Ky., April 29, 1831. 
He was reared on a farm and early taught the var- 
ious det.ails of agricultural work, thus fitting him- 
self for that which has been his own vocation. He 
grew to manhood in his native State, and after 
coming to this county made the acquaintance of the 
estimable woman who is now his wife. This was 
Miss Margaret E. Bell, who was born in this county, 
Ma}' 30, 1834, and became the wife of Mr. Ander- 
son. February 3, 1858. 

Our subject and his wife have six living children, 
named respectively: Belle, Agnes, Zebulon J., Su- 
san M., James and Rachel. The oldest Is now the 
wife of Douglas Richardson, and the second the 



/ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



829 



wife of Ernest A. Ginther. Zebulon J. married 
Miss Laura Mojer. Mr. antl Mrs. Anderson liave 
lost two children, one an infant, and Ricliaril, the 
eldest son, who was cut down in the dawn of his 
manhood, dj-ing when twenty years old. Mr. An- 
derson is not a politician, but generally votes the 
Republican ticket. He holds the office of Steward 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church of which both 
himself and wife are members. He is looked upon 
as one who deserves the respect of his fellow- men 
by reason of his conscientious life and reliability 
in its various relations. 



m 



OSEPH C. KLAHOLT. Amon^ the prom- 
inent dealers in jewelry in the Capital is the 
gentleman above named, whose fine estnb- 
lishment occupies a favorable location on 
the south side of the .Square. The store is commo- 
dious, bcputifully fitted, and furnished with an ele- 
gant line of goods, including the ordinary articles 
of adornment for the person and the home, such as 
diamonds, watches, solid and silver-plated ware, and 
the various combinations of precious metals and 
stones made up into clocks, jewelry, etc. Mr. Kla- 
holt also carries a stock of musical instruments and 
is connected with other business enterprises in the 
city, although his personal attention is mainly 
given to the first named. He is a practical jeweler, 
a keen judge of gems, and possesses excellent 
taste in the selection of that which is beautiful and 
stylish. 

Mr. Klaholt is a native of Springfield, having 
been born here August 10. 1854. He received his 
education in the city schools and after completing 
his studies, engaged in different occupations until 
1870, when he entered the jewelr}' establishment of 
A. Clans. He remained with that gentleman eight 
years, then accepted a position with W. C. Sommer, 
whom he bought out in 1881. He has continued 
the business at the old stand, building up his trade 
frfim year to year as the population of the city has 
increased and the work of his establishment has 
become better known. He began business for him- 



self with ^but a moderate stock which he has 
gradually' increased until his manufacturing and 
salesrooms afford constant occupation to seven 
men. 

Our subject is connected with the Springfield 
Furniture Company, holding the office of Director; 
he fills the same position in the Workmen's Building 
and Loan Association, both of which corporations 
he was interested in organizing. The Association 
is in a very prosperous condition at present and is 
doing much to aid in the upbuilding of the city, 
supplying the working class with comfortable 
homes at rates within their reach. Mr. Klaholt 
belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks and to the society of St. Vincent De Paul. 
At the home of the bride's parents in this city 
.June ."), 1879, Mr. Klaholt was united in marriage 
with Miss Marie F. Thoma. The bride is a daugh- 
ter of Gregoiy and Soi)liia Thoma, is intelligent 
and well-bred, and with her husband commands 
the respect of their acquaintances. The congenial 
union has been blest by the birth of four children: 
Paulina, Carl, Ada and Frances. 

The father of our suljject was Joseph C. Klaholt, 
Sr., who became a resident of this city in May, 
1850. He was first engaged in tailoring and after- 
ward in the grocery business. He was a native of 
the kingdom of Prussia. His widow, formerly 
Miss Paulina Smith, of St. Louis, Mo., is still liv- 
ing here. The family consists of three sons and 
one daughter, all residents of this county. They 
are named respectively, Joseph C, Henry, August 
and Pauline, the latter now being the wife of Wil- 
liam G. Laugeman. 

In connection with this sketch the reader will 
notice a lithographic portrait of Mr. Klaholl. 



<;f)OKN C. COE, who resides in Rochester, is 
one of the largest taxpayers in the township, 
and his possessions have all been acquired 
through his own efforts. After his name 
may be written the words of praise, justly deserved, 
— a self-made man — and his example of business 
activity, perse ver.ance and indomitable energy may 



880 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



well be taken as an example by young men, who, 
like himself, bad to enter upon life without capital. 
As he is widely known we feel that his sketch will 
be of interest to many of our readers and there- 
fore gladly insert this brief history. 

He w.as born in Loudoun County, Va., .January 
5, 1825, and is descended from one of the early 
families of that Stale, altliougli little is known con- 
cerning its establisliment in America. His father, 
Horatio Coe, was also born in Virginia and married 
Catherine Grubb, a native of tlie same State. Mr. 
and Mrs. Coe spent their entire lives in Virginia 
and passed away some years ago. The parents of 
Mrs. Coe were Richard and Charity (Morrison) 
Grulib, who were born in the Old Dominion. Her 
father was a stonemason by trade and in coiinec- 
tion with that occupation carried on fanning. Our 
subject remained under the parental roof until the 
spring of 1842, when wishing to try his fortune in 
the West, he hade good-by to home and friends and 
started for Illinois. For about two years he lived 
with his brothers and sisters and then worked at 
farm labor in the neighborhood until the spring of 
1849, when attracted by the discovery of gold in 
California, he crossed the plains with an ox team to 
the Pacific slope, reaching his destination after 
many weary weeks of travel. During his stay in 
California he engaged in hauling and dealing in 
provisions, at which he was reasonably successful, 
but in the spring of 1851 he returned to Illinois, 
coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama and the 
ocean route. He, with David Miller, then erected 
and operated a sawmill in this county, where he 
continued for two years. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
Mr. Coe occurred on the 11th of August, 1853, 
when he led to the marriage altar Miss Charity 
Grubb, a most estimable lady, who was born in 
Loudoun County, Va., October 1, 1820. They be- 
gan their domestic life upon his farm in Rochester 
Township, and their home was made bright by the 
presence of two sons: Richard H., born February 
21, 1855; and Theodore C. L., July 13, 1859. The 
latter died June 14, 1870, after their removal to 
Rochester. Devoting himself to agricultural pur- 
suits with marked success, Mr. Coe continued to 
reside upon his farm until the spring of 1863, when 



with his family he took up his residence in Roches- 
ter, where he has a pleasant home, surrounded by 
all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 
As his financial resources have increased he has 
made judicious investments from time to time and 
Ills landed possessions now aggregate six hundred 
and sixty acres which pay to him a golden tribute. 
Mr. Coe and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and their circle of friends and 
acquaintances in this community is indeed exten- 
sive. Mr. Coe has five brothers and one sister 
living, whose ages average about seventy years: 
Ebenczer, Elijah William, Esther Ann Barnwell, 
John C, Samuel J., and James M. The one de- 
ceased was Mary Ellen, who died in 1843. 



El^ 



LE NELSON, a representative and well-to-do 
farmer living on section 24, Gardner Town- 
ship, was born in Holland, Norway, Septem- 
ber 9, 1843, and is the youngest of four children 
whose parents were Levi and Emma Nelson. 
The family has been devoted to agricultural pur- 
suits through several generations and the grand- 
father of our subject, a Norwegian fanner, attained 
to the advanced age of seventy-two years. His 
father owned a small farm in his native land but 
in 1849 emigrated to America, accompanied by his 
children, his wife having died two jears previous. 
He settled in Gardner Township, this county, on 
section 3, where he purchased a small farm of thir- 
ty-three acres that he operated until his removal 
to Menard County, where he engaged in farming 
for al)out Qve years. In his native land while 
blasting rock, his eyes had been injured and he now 
became totally blind. Our subject, learning of the 
misfortune that had overtaken his father went to 
his home and brought him and his stepmother again 
to this county, where surrounded by the loving care 
and attention of his children, Levi Nelson spent 
his Last days, his death occurring September 9, 
1881, at the age of seventy-two years. The wife 
died the following year. He was a member of the 
Lutheran Church and a Republican in politics. The 
children of his first marriage were Daniel who died 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



831 



of cholera in Cauartajln 1849! Elizabeth who mar- 
ried and died in Gardner; Nels who died in Ten- 
nessee, and Ole, the only surviving member. Prior 
to the War of the Rebellion, Nels went to the 
South but on the President's call for troops he en- 
listed in the Union Army and served throughout 
the war as a faithful follower of the Stars and 
Stripes. He married in the South; where he en- 
gaged in cabinet making and the manufacture of 
trunks. His death occurred in Union, Tenn., in 
1888. 

Our subject was a lad of six summers when the 
family crossed the Atlantic to America. They left 
the coast of Norway and proceeded to Liverpool, 
but the vessel on which they were to sail was not 
completed until some six weeks later. A like per- 
iod of time was required to make the passage and 
in the summer of 1849 father and children landed 
at Quebec. They traveled by the lakes to Chicago 
and thence by rail to Springfield. Ole was bound 
out to Alvin Lyman, a farmer of Gardner Town- 
ship, with whom he remained until eighteen years 
of age. He worked upon the farm in the summer 
season and during the winter months was permitted 
to attend the schools of the neighborhood, where he 
acquired a moderate education. In 1861 he rented 
the Lyman farm which he operated two years when 
he went to his father's farm which he cultivated 
for a }-ear. He was married on the "i'id of Decem- 
ber, 18G4, to Miss S.arah A. Crowder, their union 
being celebrated in Gardner Township. She was 
born in Springfield Township, and is the daughter 
of Thomas M. and Jane Crowder. Her father was 
a n.itive of Kentucky and one of the early settlers 
of this communit}', where he carried on farming as 
a means of livelihood. 

After his marriage Mr. Nelson rented a farm in 
Gardner Township until he had accumulated some 
(•.•i[)ilal. In 1878 he invested his savings in sixty- 
live acres of land in Sin-ingfield and Gardner Town- 
ships but ufter three years he disposed of that 
property and purchased his present farm of sixty- 
one and one-half acres on section 24, Gardner 
Township. It is all under fence, has a good house 
and otlier improvements, a fine orchard and is 
pleasantly located about four miles from the Cap- 
itol City. In connection with the raising of grain 



be is doing a good business as a dairyman and is 
also engaged in stock-raising, making a specialt3- 
of Poland-China and ISerkshire hogs. He also has 
five bead of good iiorses. He attends faithfully 
to his business interests, to which reason may be at- 
tributed his success, yet he finds time to devote to 
other interests. He has served as^School Director 
for several years and is now Clerk of the Board ; has 
been a life-long member of the Baptist Church, for 
twenty years served as Deacon, also as Trustee and 
has been a faithful worker in the Sundaj'-school, of 
whicih he was Superintendent for several years. So- 
cially he is a member of Independence Lodge, F. 
M. B. A. ; in politics is a Democrat and is an ardent 
advocate of the temperance cause. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been parents of six 
children, four of whom are living — Mary J. is at 
home; Emma E. is engaged in teaching school; 
Morgan J. died at the age of three and a half years; 
Hattie B. and Myrtle are at home and Charles W. 
died when three and a half years old. 



\f] OHN MOORE FISK, a prominent farmer 
and stock-raiser of Fancy Creek Township, 
is one of the most popular and influential 
citizens of this part of the county. He has 
mingled much in its public life, and is well known 
in social and religious circles. Our subject comes 
of an old Colonial family who located in New Eng- 
land in the early years of its settlement, two of 
the Fisks coming from Westmc)reland County, 
England, about ten years after the Pilgrims landed 
on Plymouth Rock. They first settled in Walthara, 
Mass., wliere some of their descendants still reside. 
Some memljers of the family afterward went to 
Tolland County, Conn., where Eli Fisk, the father 
of our subject, was born. 

William Fisk, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was a native of Massachusetts, where he 
was engaged as a farmer and stockman. He served 
throughout the entire Revolution. Eli Fisk was 
reared on a farm, and early in life he learned the 
trade of a carpenter. He was married in Connect- 
icut, in 1816 or 1817, to Margaret Moore, a native 



332 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of ToUniid County. Her father. John Moore, was 
nlso born in Connecticut and there died. He was 
a fanner, and during the Revolution was a soldier 
in the Continental arm}'. His ancestors were orig- 
inally from Scotland, and the famil}- settled in 
Connecticut in an early d.ay, where they took part 
in the Indian wars. His wife was a Lavvson prior 
to her marriage. 

After he was married Mr. Fisk removed to Indiana 
County. Pa., where he followed his trade ami l>e- 
side operated a sawmill which he had built. In 
1823 he removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, and 
settled in Cincinnati. He was engaged as a builder 
in that city and also worked in a machine shop. 
He was a resident of the Queen City eleven years, 
and in August, 1835, came from there to Masou 
County, 111. He lived two years in Havana, 
where he engaged in building houses. He then 
located on a farm, and he put up the first sawmill 
in Mason County at Havana. He entered three 
hundred and twenty acres of land five miles east 
of there and improved it into a valuable farm. 
He remained there till his death in 1861 at the 
venerable age of eighty-two years, when one of the 
mos.t useful and honored pioneers of that section of 
the State was removed from the scenes of his busy 
life, where he had engaged in helping forward the 
development of that county. His wife preceded 
him in death, dying on the old homestead in Ma- 
son County in 1858. These worthy people were 
the parents of three children, namely: Esther L., 
who married F. Buck, and is now deceased ; John 
M., of whom we write; and Eli C, a farmer in 
Mason County. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Indiana 
County, Pa., in the month of September, 1822. 
His first recollections are of Ohio, and of being 
nearly drowned when the family went to Cincin- 
nati on a flatboat. He lived in that city till he 
was past twelve years old, and received the most 
of his education in its schools, attending school 
after the family removed to Havana only two 
months. In the month of July, 1835, he left Cin- 
cinnati with his parents on a steamboat and pro- 
ceeded to St. Louis, and from there on the boat 
'•Illinois" to Havana. They were among the 
early settlers of that place, a^ there were then only 



seven families there, who were living in log houses. 
Mason County was then a new country, sparsely 
settled and uncnltivated. and formeil at that time a 
part of Tazewell County. Mr. Fisk was early set to 
work in helping his father develop his farm. He 
made and used a wooden mold-board plow, with 
which he broke prairie for seven or eight years, 
using cattle as the motor power. Game abounded 
then, and he has seen as many as fifty deer at 
once, but he never cared much for hunting. He 
remained at home with his parents until he was 
past twenty-two, assisting in the management of 
the farm. 

Mr. Fisk was married in Mason County, Febru- 
ary 27, 1845, to Miss Sarah A. McReynold, a na- 
tive of Columbia Count3% Pa., and a daughter of 
Robert McReynold. Her father was also born in 
Pennsylv.ania, his people coming to this counUy 
from Ireland. He was engaged in that State as a 
contractor on railroads and canals. He was an 
early settler in Illinois, and from 1838 was County 
Commissioner of Mason County for years, was As- 
sessor and Treasurer, and for a long time w.as 
County Judge, he being one of the most prominent 
citizens of the county during his life. 

After marriage Mr. Fisk remained on the home 
farm two years, and in 1847 bought one hundred 
and sixty acres of land six miles east of Havana. 
He subsequently added to it two hundred and 
forty acres of land, and developed it into a good 
farm. In 1865 he sold his property in Mason 
County, and coming here bought two hundred and 
twenty acres of land on section 19, Fancy Creek 
Township. He has his farm all fenced, and on its 
sixty acres of pasture he raises fine herds of stock. 
He has here a well-inn)roved farm, advantageously 
located ten miles from the Capital, and has on it 
a neat set of buildings and all conveniences for 
farming. 

Seven children have been born to our subject 
and his estimable wife, of whom the following is 
recorded: Wilbur died in 1875; Lucinda is the 
wife of Asa Canlerbur\', of Peoria; Warren is mar- 
ried and lives on the home farm; Margaret J. 
married Thomas A. Bently, a farmer of Spink 
County. Dak.; Willis is a farmer in Jefferson, III.; 
Elizabeth married J. Canlerbur}-. of Menard 





/^/yi ayyyY\^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



335 



County, III.; Elmer IMcReynold is connected with 
the Equitable Life Insurance Compan}' in St. 
Louis. All the cliihlren have hail excellent school 
advantages, and are graduates of commercial col- 
leges. 

Mr. Fisk stands high in the estimation of his 
fellow-townsmen, and his sagacity and business tact 
have been found very useful in the mtuiagement of 
public affairs. He has served as .Supervisor of this 
township one 3'ear, and as Treasurer, and was Com- 
missioner of Highways ten years, holding that po- 
sition till he refused to serve any longer. He has 
been Township School Trustee, School Director and 
was Clerk of the Board for years. While a resident 
of Mason County he was School Treasurer for 
years. Politically he is a Republican, Jind was a 
member of the Union League during the war. He 
has been a delegate to county conventions fre- 
quently, and has served on grand and jietit juries. 
In him the ."Methodist Episcopal Church finds one 
of its leading members. He has been lay delegate 
to annual conferences three times. He belonged 
to the church of that denomination at .Strodes 
Point. Athens Circuit, assisted in organizing the 
class, and is Steward. He has been Trustee of the 
church at Cantrall, and has been .Sui)erintendent of 
the school for years. 



»j^'" 



■ "■ =i^ ' 

'RIAH MAXN. Among the well-tilled es- 
tates in Clear Lake Townshi|). that of Uriah 
|l Mann is deserving of notice for its well- 
regulated appearance, botli as regards the cultiva- 
tion of the fields and the adequateness of the vari- 
ous buildings to the needs of a farmer and his 
family. It consists of two hundred acres of good 
land, which produce abundantly of the cereals which 
form the greater part of the ci'ops in this section 
of the Prairie State, and presents a fruitful and 
beautiful a|>pearance when clothed with waving 
grain. A good supply of fruit is obtained from the 
orchard, and the fruit and vegetable gardens are 
also made to yield well. 

Before entering upon an account of the life of 
our subject, a few words regarding his parents will 



not be amiss. His father, Peter Mann, was born in 
Virginia in 1783, and when eighteen j-ears old 
joined the Kentucky Colonists, being one of the 
first to settle in the fore.sls of the Blue Grass 
State. Not only was wild game abundant, but 
savage foes lurked around, and the life of the 
frontiersman w.as beset with danger on tvery 
hand. Mr. Mann fought Indians when occasi(jn 
demanded, and also bore a part in the War of 1812, 
spending about six months in Canada. He cleared 
about three hundred acres of the finest land on the 
bottoms of the north fork of tlie Licking River, .".nd 
carried on farming ((uite extensively. His death 
took place in 1»33, when he had reached the age of 
fifty years. He was married at the age of twenty- 
two to Elizabeth (!aitrell,a native of Virginia, who 
survived him ten years, dying in 1843 when sixty- 
two years old. Both were members of the Baptist 
Church, and were regarded as worthy of the esteem 
and friendship of their acquaintances. The family 
of the good couple included nine sons and daugh- 
ters, four of whom are now living. 

The subject of this biographical sketch was born 
in Bracken County, Ky., September 17, 1810, in 
the log house that was built by his father at an 
early day, and which was supplanted a few years 
later by a large and substantial brick dwelling, 
three and a half stories in height. The lad had but 
limited . school privileges, a three-months' session 
being considered a long .school, and even this be- 
ing denied him after he had entered his teens. He 
has therefore been obliged to gain knowledge prin- 
cipally by his own efforts as a reader and observer. 
When twenty years old he went to New Orleans as 
hand on a flatboat. spent the winter in the South- 
ern metropolis, and returning in the spring, passed 
the ensuing season in farming. 

In the fall of 1831 young Mann came to this 
county, stopping at Springfield when that place 
w.as but small, and presented anything but an in- 
viting appearance to strangers. He came to Clear 
Lake Township ami entered land on section 25. and 
also secured eighty acres in .S|)ringfield Township. 
He had just $100 when he arrived in the county, 
and on this small capital he began the enterprise 
which has succeeded in placing him among the 
substantial farmers of this section. He continued 



886 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



improving and adding to his real estate until he 
had secured seven hundred acres, for the greater 
p;irt of which he paid about $12.50 per acre. Mr. 
IMann has paid considerable attention to stock-rais- 
in"-, in earlier days driving his flocks and herds to 
St. Louis, Mo., whieli _was also his grain market. 
He has driven as many as fifteen hundred hogs in a 
spuson, and hauled nine hundred bushels of wheat, 
disposing of it at thirty-five cents per busiiel. In 
marketing his grain he^vas in the habit of driving 
a four-horse team, by which means he was enabled 
t(i ( arry seventy-five bushels on a trip. 

Mr. Mann was joined in the holy bonds of mat- 
rimony with Miss Elizabeth King, January 6, 1832. 
The bride was born in Kentucky, in tlie same neigh- 
borhood in which our subject spent his early life, 
and their childish friendship had riiiened into a 
deeper affection as they grew in years. Their happy 
union was blessed by the birth of tiie following 
named sons and daughters : Peter, Sarah A., Thomas, 
Charles, Francis, William and Ellen. Thomas, 
William and Ellen have been called from time to 
eternity. The faithfni wife and mother was called 
hence in 1861, at the age of forty-nine years. She 
was a member of the Churcii of Christ, and is held 
in loving remembrance by many to whom her vir- 
tues had endeared her. 

On August 25, 1862, Mr. Mann was married to 
Ellen Brimbarger, a lady of intelligence, house- 
wifely ability and Christian character. Mrs. Mann 
is a native of this State, and was born in Gallatin 
County, September 8, 1839, to John Brimbarger, a 
native of Kentucky, and Nancy (Willis) Brira- 
b;n<Ter, who was born in Gallatin County, III. The 
union of our suliject and iiis estimalde wife has 
been blessed by the birth of eleven children, but 
two have preceded their parents to tlie silent land. 
'l"he deceased are Grant and Elizabeth, and the sur- 
vivors are Fanny B., Bettie J.. Ethel M., Sonora 
!! , Fersis A., Dick Oglesby, Adaline T., Leeora and 

Mary L. 

Our subject cast his first Presidential ballot in 
1832, his favored candidate being a Whig. In 
1856 he joined the Republican ranks, in which he 
is still to be found. He has held various township 
otiices, and in every position to which he has been 
called has manifested a desire to advance the inter- 




ests of his constituents and the people at large. 
During the Black Hawk War he assisted in defend- 
ing the homes of the settlers, enlisting under Levi 
Good. He enjoyed the personal acquaintance of 
Abraham Lincoln, with whom he had many a 
wrestling match, "Honest Old Abe"' going to our 
subject to learn Kentucky tricks. Mr. Mann also 
sat on juries when Lincoln pleaded the cause of a 
client. The day before the newl3--elected President 
left for Washington, Mr. Mann saw and shook 
hands with him, both being affected to tears at the 
parting. 

El-sewhere in this volume the readers will notice 
a lithogra[)liic portrait of Mr. Mann. 



ANIEL BAILEY. This name is borne by 
a prominent citizen of Clear Lake Town- 
f^i^f!^ ship, whose life and labors here extend 
over a period of more than thirty years. 
During this time Mr. Bailey has been found stand- 
ing on the side of truth and justice, and manifest- 
I ing tlic true spirit of American progress in his busi- 
ness affairs and his connection with the advance 
of civilization. He is living on a fine farm con- 
sisting of two hundred and thirty-four acres of iui- 
proved land, where every structure which will add 
to the comfort and convenience of the occupants 
meets the eye of the beliolder. Mr. Bailey has 
been engaged in general stock-raising from his 
early manhood and is well versed in the peculiari- 
ties of various breeds of domestic animals and, 
therefore, well able to care for them. 

Our subject was reared on a farm, his father 
Thomas Bailey having been engaged in tilling the 
soil. The Baileys were residents of Eastern Ten- 
nessee, where the father of our subject died in 1830, 
while still in the prime of life. His wife Melvina 
Moore, was a native of Virginia; she survived until 
1S62 breathing her last in this county. The pa- 
rental family consisted of four children two of 
whom are now living. 

Hawkins County Tenn., was the birthplace of our 
subject whose natal day was September 7, 1824. A 
log bouse nestled among the mountains was bis 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



33T 



childhood's home and his educational opportunities 
were very limited. Having been left fatiierless 
when but six years old, he was t'lken into '.he house- 
hold of his uncle Wesley Ball, with whom he re- 
mained until he was past eighteen years of age. 
He then married and engaged in farming, carrying 
on that occupation several years in his native State. 
In 184'J he came hither traveling on a boat down 
the Tennessee River to Chattanooga and thence to 
Nashville by team; there he again boarded a boat 
upon which he pursued his journey as far as Keo- 
kuk, Iowa. 

Coming down into Sangamon County, Mr. Bailey 
spent a year on Round Prairie, then removed to 
Clear Lake Township, where in 1858 he purchased 
a small farm. With the exception of the years 
passed in valiant service in behalf of his country 
Mr. Bailey hiis since resided in the township and 
l)rosecuted the various branches of agricultural 
work. When the life of the nation was threatened 
his patriotic spirit was aroused and he made his 
arrangements to leave his home with all its com- 
forts and enjo3'ment, brave the dangers of the 
battkfield and endure the privations of camp life. 
.July 25, 1862, he was enrolled in the One Hundred 
and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and beginning his 
service as a Second Lieutenant, was in a few 
months promoted to the rank of Fiist Lieutenant. 

Mr. Bailey stood for forty- seven days before 
Vicksburg during the terrible siege, and again 
formed one of the besiegers at Jackson, Miss., 
to which place Johnson was followed. There 
the famous rebel general was followed to Bran- 
don, which place also he was compelle<l to 
cv.ncuate. Mr. Bailey participated in the battles of 
Guntown and Tupelo and led his command through 
Arkansas and Missouri in the chase after General 
Price. At the battles of Nashville and Mobile he 
was found in the thickest of the fight, and in the 
intervals between these various prominent engage- 
ments, w-as discharging other and equally necessary 
duties as a brave man should. He received several 
bullet holes in his clothing at various times, but 
escaiied without a wound. He suffered somewhat 
from illness, but being determined to keep liis 
place would never go to the hospital but always 
responded when his regiment was called for duty. 



Lieut. Bailey was mustered out at Vicksburg 
in Juh', 1865, and discharged at Camp Butler soon 
afterward. 

The lady who presides in the home of Mr. Bailey 
bore the maiden name of Barbara Jane Lawson. 
She was born in that portion of Tennessee known 
as the " New Purchase " September 28, 1823, and 
having been left an orphan when quite young was 
reared in the family of an old Baptist preacher. 
Her father's death had resulted from a spear wound 
received during the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bailey have had eleven children: Mary, Sarah, 
George W., Melvina, Charles C, Vincent, Henri- 
etta, Emma J.. Nettie B., and two that died in in- 
fanc3'. Sarah, George W., Vincent and Henrietta 
are also deceased. 

Lieut. Bailey w.as reared under Democratic 
influences and gave his early political allegiance to 
that part}'. The issues which led up to the Civil 
War caused him to change his opinions and he has 
since been a Republican. He has held various lo- 
cal offices creditably discharging the duties of di- 
vers positions. He is an honored member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic and the Farmers' 
Mutual Benefit Association. Both himself and 
wife belong to the Baptist Church and have 
higli standing in that religious society-. They are 
esteemed by their fellow citizens in general, as 
their intelligence, fine characters and general use- 
fulness merit. 




L. CONVERSE, M. D., whose sketch now 
claims attention, was born in Painesville, 
Ohio, June 29, 1842, being the son of 
i^J Henry and Niana J. (Priest) Converse, na- 

tives of Now Hampshire and Vermont respectively. 
They vrere married in the State of New York, after 
which they moved to Alabama and then to Ohio at 
an early dale. The father was a farmer and also an 
oil manufacturer, and came to Illinois in 1846, lo- 
cating in Springfield and at a later date purchasing 
the home where our subject resides. He engaged 
in farming and stock-raising, being a very [iros- 
perous man and one highly respected by all who 



338 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



knew him. For a period of nine j'ears he was a 
member of the Board of Supervisors, and he ivas 
also a member of tlie Baptist Churcli. His death 
occurred in Springfield January 24, 1889, after he 
had attained liis eiglit\'-socond j'ear. His wife died 
in 1882 from the effects of an accident, two j'ears 
after iiaving celebrated their fiftielli wedding anni- 
versary, leaving two children, viz: our subject and 
William 0., wlio makes liis liome in Springfield. 
Ilenr}- Converse took an active interest in the edu- 
cational and religious advancement of this city and 
was of great benefit, being a man of much infiuence 
and great popularity. 

Tlie subject of our sketch came to Springfield 
wiili his parents in 1846, and liere received a first- 
class education, after whicli he read medicine with 
Dr. Charles Ryan, and finally attending lectures at 
the Medical Department of the Northwestern Uni- 
versity, graduating with tlie Class of 18G4. FoFten 
years he followed his chosen profession in Macon 
and Sangamon Counties, after which he commenced 
to devote his time and attention to farming and 
stock-raising on the home place. In company with 
his brother he farms eight hundred acres of fine land 
and tbey have a large number of valuable horses 
and raise fine stock, devoting special attention to 
thoroughbred and Percheron horses and having 
many important horses of great value. Indeed, 
they have one of the finest stock farms in the sur- 
rounding country, training and selling stock con- 
stantly. 

l^r. Converse married Miss Henrietta Thompson 
September 6, 1864. Slie is a daughter of Aaron 
Tliompson of Springfield. Of this union were 
born six children, four of whom are now living: 
I'lorence. born in 1865 and died at the age of six- 
teen; Anais, born in 1867, and the wife of Dr. 
Frank B. Smith of Springfield; Olive, who died 
when nineteen months old; Henry A. liorn 
in 1875; Albert E. in 1881; and Henrietta, in 
1890. These children were favored bj' witnessing 
the fiftieth marriage anniversary of their grandpar- 
ents on both sides. 

The subject of our sketch has been Supervisor 
for three years, and Chairman of the Board two 
years. He was a member of the Thirty-fourth and 
Thirty-fifth General Assembly of Illinois, being an 



active Democrat. He served on Revenue, Agri- 
culture, Sanitary and Ap|)ropriation Committees 
during the first term and in the last term on the same 
with the addition of Joint Revenue Committee. He 
is a faithful member of the Baptist Church, cf which 
he is Trustee, and for several years President of 
the Sangamon Count}' Sunday-school Conven- 
tion, and an active worker in Sunday-scliool mat- 
ters. 

Dr. Converse ovvns an elegant home at No. 
1340 North Eighth Street and alarm adjoining 
just north of the city, where he carries on farm- 
ing. His farm is located near the rolling mills, 
watch factory and water works. Our subject 
is a far-sighted luid wideawake business man who 
allows no opportunity to escape his notice, and one 
who in advancing liis own interests takes pride 
in advancing those of the city in vyhich he resides 
and of which he is justlj- proud. 



F. MILLER, who is engaged in farming on 
section 4, Gardner Township, has passed 

j * his entire life in this county and is a rep- 
@^ resentative of one of its early families. 

He is of German descent on the paternal side, while 
his mother's people were early settlers of Kentucky. 
His grandparents, Peter and Margaret (Despard) 
Miller, were natives of Germany, where the hus- 
band followed farming until his death, which 
occurred about 1845. His widow afterward came 
to this country and died in Lincoln, 111., in 1868, 
and iier remains were interred in the cemetery at 
Springfield. 

Mathias Miller, the father of our subject, was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, April 11, 1819, and 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the 
homestead farm. He also learned the mason's 
trade which he followed until attaining his major- 
ity. It was during the early years of his manhood 
that, with a desire to benefit his financial condition, 
he crossed the Atlantic in 1842, and became a resi- 
dent of Springfield 111., where he worked at various 
pursuits until 1844. He then made his way on 
foot to the pineries of Wisconsin where, in connec- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



339 



tion with a partner during the winter, he made 
twenty-four tliousand shingles, wliich he rafted 
down the Mississippi River and sold. The return 
journry to Springfield w.is also made on foot and 
on again arriving in the city he formed a partner- 
ship with Jacob AVillis in the coopering business, 
whieii connection ccntiinied some years, the}' hav- 
ing an excellent trade in that line. Salisbury was 
next tiie scene of ins labors. In that place he als<j 
carried on a shop for several years, until at Irnglh, 
having acquired some capital, ht^ invested in lar.d, 
purchasing eighty acres on section 5, Gardner 
Township, riis yonthfid training now proved of 
advantage to him and so successful was he in his 
undertakings that before his death he had become 
owner of four hundred am) tifty-two acres, consti- 
tuting one of the finest farms in the cou.munity. 
He w.as also owner of a bouse and two lots in Mon- 
ticello. Mr. Miller was a man of good business 
ability, sagacious and farsighted, and to his own 
efforts may be attributed his success. He faithfully 
discharged his duties of citizenship, was a memlicr 
of the Catholic Church and voted with the Demo- 
cratic party. His wife, the mother of our subject, 
was in her maidenhood Miss Martha Ross, daughter 
of William and Maria (Morrison) Ross, both of 
whom were natives of Kentucky, where iier birth 
also occurred. Their marriage took place May 17, 
1846. Her father became one of the earliest settlers 
of Sangamon County and, purchasing land, de- 
voted himself to agricultural pursuits until his 
death, which occurred in 18G4. He was a Repub- 
lican in politics. His wife survived him several 
years. The mother of our subject is living on the 
old homestead at the age of sixty nine years. She 
is a faithful member of the Jlethodist Church 
and her life has been spent in the Master's service. 
Of the ten children born unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller, five grew to mature years while four are 
yet living, namely: Mrs. .Sarah E. Gard, of Gardner 
Township; A. F., of this sketch; Mrs. Florence 
Campbell and Mrs. Virginia McGraw, who are also 
living in Gardner Township. George William en- 
listed in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois 
Infantr}', in 1863, and at the battle of Guntown 
was captured, but succeeded in making his escape 
sncl for thirty-OHO days lived upon berries and 



such otlier food as he could find. At length be 
reached the Union lines, but was soon afterward 
taken sick and sent to the hospital at Louisville. 
He was then granted permission to return, but dieil 
a few days after reacliing home. 

A. F. Miller was born on the old homestead in 
Gardner Township, on the 5th of December, ISoS. 
His boyhood days were spent in the usual manner 
of farmer lads, he attending the district schools of 
the neighborhood in the winter season and assisting 
in the labors of the farm during the summer months. 
Having attained to man's estate, on the loth of June, 
1882, in AVeldon, De Witt County, III., he led to 
the marriage altar Miss Alary E. Brown, daughter 
of John D. and Nancy ( Johnson )Brown. Her grand- 
father. Isaac Brown, a native of New York, came 
to Illinois in a very early day and settled near 
Milton, Pike County, where he farmed until the 
war when he volunteered and entered the service. 
He had his thumb sliot off and gangrene setting in, 
death, ensued. John D. Brown, father of Mrs. 
Miller, was reared in Pike County, where he m.^r- 
ried Miss Nancy Johnson, a native of that county, 
and a daughter of Samuel Johnson, who was born 
in Kentuck}', but is numbered among the early 
settlers of I'ike County. After his marriage Mr. 
Miller removed with his young wife to Champaign 
County, where he devoted himself to agricultural 
pursuits until 1861, when he enlisted in the Twenty- 
first Illinois Cavalry. He served four years, ilur- 
ing which time he was thrice wounilcd in the wrist, 
and received two rebel balls in his side. Returning 
home he continued farming in Champaign C(unity 
for two years and then removed to De Witt County, 
where he and his wife still make their home upon 
a farm. They are respected citizens of the com- 
munity, and in politics he is a Republican. Their 
family numbers ten children: Eva C, w-ho died at 
the age of twenty-one in De Witt County; Emma 
C, twin sister of Eva, who is married .and resides 
in Missouri; Herbert, who is living in Colorado; in 
Mai'v E.. wife of our subject; Mrs. Minnie A. 
Norfleet, of jMontgomcry Country. 111.; Isaac S.. of 
Colorado; Florence M., Catharine E.. Carrie \'., 
and Charles A., at home. 

Mrs. Miller w.as born near Milton, Pike Count)', 
March 4, 1862, and her childhood days were spent 



340 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



upon her father's farm in De Witt County. In 
Weldon tlie marriage of our subject and ills vvife 
was celeljrale<l, and for a year they lived upon tlie 
Miller homestead. They next removed to a farm 
on section 4, Gardner Township, where they lived 
until 1886 when, coming into possession of one 
hundred and seven acres of land, thej- removed to 
their present home. The house was erected by Mr. 
Miller and all of the improvements on the farm 
have i)een made by him. He raises all kinds of 
grain adapted to the Illinois soil and climate and 
makes a specialty of the breeding of Poland-China 
hogs. He has inherited the business abilitj- of iiis 
father and is accounted one of the promising and 
prominent 30ung farmers of Gardner Township. 
Socially he is a member of the Farmers' Mutual 
Benefit Association of Salisbury, and politically is 
a Democrat. 

An interesting family of five children grace the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller, namely: Howard 
E., Stella P., Opal V., Lloyd Byron and Vance B. 
The family circle remains unbroken and its mem- 
bers are highly esteemed. 



.^—-^i.^ 



1 



AMES HAMPTON is the son of a pioneer 
of this county, of which lie is a native, and 
he is now one of its farmers and stock-rais- 
ers, and is greatly respected in the commu- 
nity where he has spent his entire life. He is 
carrying on his farming operations in Wheatfield 
Township, on the Hampton homestead, which is one 
of the finest estates in this locality. 

Our subject was born in this county Januar}' 12, 
184G, and is a son of W. H. and Mary (Garvey) 
Hampton. His parents were natives of Kentucky, 
and came to Sangamon County among its jjioneers. 
They settled on a fine tract of land in AVheatficld 
Township, which by years of hard labor the father 
developed into an excellent farm. He was a man 
of the highest integrity' and was for many j'ears a 
member of the Christian Church, which met with a 
serious loss at his death in 1886. The mother is 
still living at a serene old age. 

James Hampton enjoyed but meager advantages 



as far as an education was concerned, but he was 
carefully trained in a good licime by pious parents, 
and the high Christian principles then instilled into 
his mind have guided liim in all the transactions of 
life. He Ijegan life for himself on the old Hampton 
homestead, which his father had iiewed from the 
wilderness, and he is still carrying it on with good 
financial results. Its well tilled fields yield him 
good harvests, and its neat buildings and other im- 
provements compare favorabl}' with those of other 
farms in its vicinit}'. 

Jlr. Hampton and Miss Laura Swigerl were uni- 
ted in the holy bonds of matrimon}' in 1876. ^Irs. 
Hampton is a native of Morgan County. She is a 
good housewife and in her prudent management of 
household affairs has co-operated with her husband 
in bringing about their present comfortable circum- 
stances. Their home circle is completed by the 
three children born to them whom they have named 
Gertie, Ollie and Bertha. 

No citizen of Wheatfield Township is more in- 
terested in its welfare than is Mr. Hampton, and in 
every way possible he seeks to promote the social, 
educational and religious advancement of his native 
place. For many years he has been a member of 
the School Board, and is wide awake in all matters 
concerning the education of the j'outh of this town- 
ship. He is a member in high standing of the 
Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his 
wife are valued members of the Christian Church 
and none are more active in its every good work 
than they. 

^^RANK G. COULTER, Sr. An honorable 
—HS)^ position among the farmers of Now Berlin 
\ ^^ Township is willingly accorded to this gen- 
tleman liy his associates. He occupies one of the 
well-developed farms of the county, which com- 
prises a part of section 20, one mile from New 
Berlin, and is well known as the Taylor farm. Mr. 
Coulter has not always been a farmer, but was for 
several years engaged in mercantile pursuits and 
otherwise connected with financial affairs, wherein 
he displayed much tact and acumen. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



341 



Our subject is the son of Jacob B. and Filiza 
Coulter, natives of Pennsylvania, who for some 
years made their home in Ohio. Tiiey came to 
this State in 1850, locating in Macoupin County. 
In 1857 the husband went to California and was 
employed in a gold mine, being killed liy an acci- 
dent while thus eng.aged. He had left his wife and 
four children in this State. Mr. Coulter was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ami a 
man of honesty and good character. 

The gentleman whose name introduces these brief 
paragraphs was born in Plymouth, (.)hio, January 15, 
1842, and grew to maturity in Morgan County, this 
State. He embarked in llie sale of merchandise, 
working both for himself and others at Jacksonville, 
after whicli for a period of two years he was con- 
nected witii the Illinois Institute for tiie Blind in 
that city .as its genorai business agent. In 1875 
he engaged in business in New Berlin as a manager 
of E. Batty & Companj-, lumber dealers, and sub- 
sequently became acquainted with his present wife, 
formerly Mary C. Taylor, to whom he was united 
in marriage, the solemn ceremony being performed 
by the well-known divine. Dr. Phillips, in New 
Berlin Township. Marcli 13. 1873. 

At the death of Francis Taylor, the father of 
Mrs. Coulter, his estate was divided and the old 
homestead fell to the wife of our subject. Mr. 
Coulter has charge and contemplates many im- 
provements, being a man who takes great delight 
in his home and the welfare of his family, and de- ' 
sires to surround them with all that is best and 
most enjoyable. Mr. Coulter is regarded as one 
of the best citizens of New Berlin Townshij), being 
peaceable and law-abiding in his own person, in- 
terested in the gener.al good, and ready to bear a 
quiet part in whatever will promote the public 
weal. Our subject has two children by his first 
wife, who w.as the daughter of William Katekin, of 
Morgan County. 111.: Minnie E., born January 8, 
1867; "William R., January 9, 1870; and by his 
present wife has four children: Cornelia Bird born 
December 20, 1873; Earl C, January 31, 1876; 
Arthur A., May 27, 1878; and Frank G. Jr., Octo- 
ber 28, 1887. Mrs. Coulter was the daughter of 
Francis and Henrietta (Morehouse) Taylor. Her 
parents were born in Connecticut and came to 



Sangamon County in 1851. She is the eldest of 
four children, her brothers Albert J., Frances J. 
and F^dward II. all arc living in Sangamon County. 
Mrs. Coulter was born in Fairfield County, Conn.. 
January 20, 1848. Our subject belongs to liie 
Independent Order of Odd P'ellows and affiliates 
with the Republican party and his first vote w.as 
against license. Mrs. Coulter and her two daugh- 
ters are members of the Presbyterian Church. 



.^-^v.,^ 



-^- 



VILLIAM C. SOMMER, senior member of 
the prominent jewelry firm of Sommer & 
Pierik,at No. 112 cast side of the Square, 
has been in business in Springfield raanj' years 
and is well known and honored. He is a native 
of New York State and was born in Buffalo January 
27, 1849. He is a son of G. B. Sommers, who vTas 
born in Frankfort, Germany, and came to the 
United States about 1848, having previously mar- 
ried in the Fatherland Miss F^redericka Swartz. 
He was a jeweler b^- tr.ade and worked at that in 
Rochester, N. Y., where he located in 1850. He 
remained there seven years and then went to St. 
Paul, Minn., whence he came to Springfield in 
1859. He passed the remainder of bis life here, 
dying October 24. 1874, and was actively engaged 
at his trade up to the time of his death. His wife 
did not long survive him, but died November 4 
in the same year. Tliey left an only son, our 
subject. 

The gentleman of whoTn we write grew to ma- 
turity in this city and completed his education in 
the Springfield Business College. Thus equipped 
he, with his father, worked for John B. Mayo, and 
our subject subsequently learned his trade of L. A. 
Allen, a prominent watchmaker. He then worked 
for nine months for Franklin Thorp and after- 
ward for G. W. Chatterton, Sr., until 1868. In 
the nioath of December that year he went into 
business with his father, and after they closed out 
he established himself on his own account. In 
1881 he sold out to .accept the position of Super- 
intendent of the Illinois Watch Company, which 
he retained till 1886, when he gave it up and es- 



342 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tnlilished himself in business with Mr. John Pierik 
llie 8th of tlie following November. They carry a 
large line of watches, iliarrionds, jewelry, etc., and 
have the largest and most prosperous ^rade in the 
city, amounting to .about $.35,000 or*40,000 a year. 

The marriage of Mr. Sommer with Mary A. 
Pierik, daughter of John and Mary Pierik, was 
solemnized May 9, 1871. Mns. Sommer is a native 
of this city. Her union with our subject has been 
blest by the birth of two children — L. Allen and 
Carrie M. 

Mr. Sommer is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, belonging to the Knights Templar and also 
to till! Knights of Pythias. He is interested in the 
German American Loan and Building Association, 
and in whatever will forward the welfare of the 
citizens of Springfield or Sangamon County. He 
is a man of unquestioned honor and integrity and 
his standing in financial circles is of the highest. 



r^ATRICK HOWARD is one of th^> large 
landowners of Pawnee Township, having a 

T clear title to eight hundred and eighty 
acres of the territory embraced therein. 
His farm bears evidence that its owner is a man of 
thrift and good taste, as no unsightly fence corners 
or weedj' margins meet the eye but every part of 
the broad expanse is devoted to some good use or 
made a thing of beauty. The dwelling is an at- 
tractive edifice, pleasing in design, set in inviting 
surroundings and in its internal arrangements and 
furnishings giving evidence of the presence of re- 
fined womanhood. The township does not contain 
a residence better fitted for the habitation of a 
family of intelligence and refined tastes than this, 
put up by our subject and presided over by his 
charming wife. A view of the pleasant homestead 
appears elsewhere in this work. 

The Emerald Isle was the birthplace of Mr. 
Howard and the particular locality in which his life 
began was County Kilkenny. The year of his birth 
was 1820 and his early life was spent in the land 
of his nativity, whence he came to America in 1851 . 
He took passage in the sailing-vessel "John Gar- 



row" September 3, a,nd landed in New Orleans Oc- 
tober 28. The same daj' he embarked on a river 
boat for Cincinnati, Ohio, whence he went to Piqua, 
Miami County, In that vicinity he remained three 
3ears and three months, working at farm labor. 
His fiist occupation was chopping cord wood at 15 
per month and board; he then did regular farm 
work for $8.50 per month and board but at the end 
of the month engaged for 81 10 per year with board 
and washing. The second j'ear he received 8150 
and the third $170 including board and washing. 

In February, 1855, Mr. Howard came to this 
county. Here he worked by the month for two 
years after which he performed similar labor in 
Macon County a few months. Having won a val- 
uable assistant in the making of a home he then 
established himself on rented land in Rochester 
Township. Two years later he removed to Chris- 
tian County where he rented land four years and 
while living there bought a tract in Pawnee Town- 
ship, this county, that forms a part of his present 
possessions. In the spring of 1864 he settled upon 
it and from time to time made additions to the 
|)roperty as his circumstances warranted. He has 
given his whole attention to farming and stock- 
raising and keeps between two and three hundred 
head of cattle, five hundred sheep, forty horses and 
a large drove of hogs. 

Mrs. Howard is a native of County Sligo, Ire- 
land, born in 1834 and was known in her girlhood 
as Miss Mary McCue. The marriage of herself and 
our subject was solemnized February 15, 1858, 
according to the rites of the Catholic Church, to 
whicii both belong. The first two children born 
of the union were John and Jeremiah who died in 
infancy; the next is Patrick J. who is still at home; 
following him is Mary, wife of Hugh McCormick; 
the youngest is Michael J. who is with his parents. 
Besides these the household of Mr. and Mrs. How- 
ard includes sn adopted daughter, Mary Ellen, who 
receives the same care and love as the sons and 
daughters of their own blood. 

With the energy of his nature Mr. Howard par- 
ticipates actively in the affairs of the township, 
aiding as much as possible in advancing the inter- 
ests of the commxinity. He believes that the prin- 
ciples laid (\ovfn in the Democratic platform are 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



345 



best calculated to increasp. the welfare of tlie Na- 
tion and supports them with unfailing regularit}'. 
For upward of twenty-five years he has been re- 
tained as a School Director in his district. Tliis 
one fact is sufficient to denote the opinion held of 
hira by his neiglibors and makes it unnecessary for 
the biograiihical writer to enlarge upon his traits 
of character. Mrs. Howard possesses in a high de- 
gree the pleasing qualities, ready wit and apt com- 
prehension of a true daughter of Ireland and adds 
to it the housewifely skill and kindly n.ature that 
win tlie esteem of friends and make her home a 
happy one. She and iier husband have reared their 
chihlren in the tenets of the faith Ihey themselves 
devoutly hold and all are retained within the fold. 



AMES CLARK, who is one fif tlie wealthy 
and substantial farmeis of Pawnee Town- 
ship, is a fine type of the self-made men of 
this county, as he has risen from poverty to 
riches by his shrewd and careful management of 
his affairs. He w.as born in Scotland October 11, 
1818. His father was a farmer in that country and 
James spent his earlj' life on his father's farm in 
the place of his nativity. He grew to a vigorous 
manhood, gained a competent knowledge of farm- 
ing and lived in the land of his birth till he 
was nearlj' twenty-six j'ears of age. In the mean- 
time he had taken unto himself a wife and at the 
time he left .Scotland, which he did in 1844, he was 
the father of three children. He was accompanied 
by liis family and the3' landed in New York after 
a pleasant voyage. 

After his arrival in this country our subject first 
settled in New Jersey, where he bought a small 
place, which he sold at the end of three years in 
order to take up his residence in Illinois. Com- 
ing to this State, he rented land in Jersey County 
and was actively engaged ,in its cultivation the en- 
suing three years. He next moved to this county, 
and rented land here until 1862. In that j-ear he 
had already made mone^- enough by his operations to 
become independent, and he invested in the farm 
where he now lives. This comprises two hundred 



and eight}' acres of land on section 35, and he has 
erected a neat set of buildings, has his land in a 
fine condition and everything about the place in- 
dicates th.at it is in the possession of one who has 
a thorough undcrstaniling of farming and knows 
how a farm should be managed. Our subject is 
quite an extensive land owner, as he has besides 
his propertj' in Pawnee Township four hundred 
and eighty acres of realty in Montgomerj^ County, 
lie has had to work hard to hring about his pres- 
ent circumstances, but his labors have been di- 
rected by discretion, wise judgment and sagacious 
foresight. 

As before mentioned, oui subject was married in 
Scotland, Jane White becoming his wife. She has 
been his devoted helpmate in all these 3'ears, leav- 
ing her native land cheerfullj' and uncomplain- 
ingly to cross the waters with her husband, that 
she miglit help him build u|) a new home in this 
strange country. She labored faithfully by his side 
and is now enjoying with him the fruits of their 
early toil. They have reared three children to 
good and useful lives. Their son James and their 
daughter Mary Ann live at home with them. Their 
daughter Jane is the wife of Thomas Carswell, of 
Cotton Hill Township. Mr. and Mrs. Clark were 
reared in the Presbyterian faith and are among 
tiie most consistent members of the church of that 
denomination of this township. They are con- 
siderate and kindly in their relations with their 
neighbors and they so conduct themselves in all the 
affairs of life as to win the highest respect of the 
entire community, where they have passed so many 
years. Mr. Clark takes a keen interest in the 
affairs of his adopted country and is firm in his al- 
legiance to the Republican party. 



■<^M-i-m- 



THOMAS RICHARDSON. This gentleman 
is deserving of notice, not only as a skilled 
^p^' and prosperous agriculturist, but as a florist 
of rare ability. His beautiful home in Clear Lake 
Township is one of the handsomest places in the 
county, being conspicuous not alone for the neat-; 



346 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ness of every part of tlie estate, but for the large 
lawn and artistif^ arrangement of llie clioicest flow- 
ers whicli make a vast garden spot uf beauty. Mr. 
Richardson is the possessor of nearly eight hundred 
acres of improved land, and has supplied himself 
with every modern convenience for the prosecu- 
tion of the work in which he has been engaged and 
the comfort of the family. His dwelling was erected 
in 1874, and is a commodious and tasteful struc- 
ture, well furnished, and displaying the evidences of 
refined taste in all its arrangements. 

Mr. Richardson was born in Scotland, August 12, 
1812, his parents being William R. and Elizabeth 
Hannah (Scott) Richardson. His father was a 
blacksmith and a most expert workman at the 
trade. Both parents were Presbyterians in relig- 
ious faith and practice. The mother lived to the 
venerable age of ninety-nine years. Our subject 
received a common-school education, and about the 
time that he entered his teens began to take a part 
in the labors of life as a herder of cattle. Some 
years later he drove a salmon-fishing boat in Eng- 
land for about six months. He was then appren- 
ticed to the landscape gardener of Sir William Jar- 
den of Jarden Hall, one of the most beautiful places 
in all Scotland. The young man served an appren- 
ticeship of three years and paid i;300 for the privi- 
lege of acquiring the business under an expert. He 
worked altogether on the place four years, receiv- 
ing nine shillings per week after he finished his 
apprenticeship. 

Mr. Richardson then went to Edinburgand lived 
there for six years, coming to America from that 
city in 1840. After landing he went to New 
Haven, Conn., and hired out to Michael Baldwin to 
take care of that gentleman's place, remaining there 
five years. He then turned his footsteps westward, 
his destination being Springfield, and soon after 
his arrival he purchased his first farm in Clear Lake 
Township. He has pushed his affairs with the char- 
acteristic energy and steadfastness of the Scotch- 
man, has always kept fine stock, and has made the 
best of every resource afforded him by nature, or 
acquired by his own industry and prudence. 

Mr. Richardson was married to Miss Janet Wil- 
son, in Scotland, and six weeks after he came to 
America; she remained in Scotland about a year 



after Mr. Richardson had emigrated and tlien she 
joined him in New Haven. She was born in Hight. 
Scotland, Noveml)er 21, 1812, and was an able 
helpmate and a devoted mother, who wisely or- 
dered her iiousehold affairs, and trained her ciiil- 
dren in ways of usefulness. SiiR breathed her last 
Ajn-il 12, 1886, her dying hours cheered by the 
Christian's hope, slie having been for many years a 
consistent member of tlie Church of Christ. She 
was tlie mother of oiglit children, na'ued respec- 
tively: William, James, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary H., 
Thomas, John and George. In 1888 Mr. Richard- 
son was united in marriage to Dora Jones, widow 
of the late Joiin T. Jones, who was born in Ken- 
tucky, and came to tliis county in 1847. She is an 
efficient housekeeper, a lady of much intelligence, 
and a worthy member of the Baptist t'hurch. 

Mr. Richardson is a man of extended informa- 
tion and one whose personal character wins the 
respect of his acquaintances. He is a stanch Pres- 
byterian, and gives his political adherence to the 
Democratic party. He has enjoyed the personal 
acquaintance of a number of men whose n.ames are 
placed high on the ladder of fame, among tliem be- 
ing Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, Jolin 
A. Logan, Ninian Edwards, Col. Baker, Judge Ed- 
wards and Judge Stephen F. Logan. 




yr^^HOMAS REES, the Treasurer and Business 
Manager of the Illiiwis Stale Jioijintcr, was 
born in the City of Allegheny, Pa., on the 
13th of May, 1850. His father was the late W. 
Rees, a newspaper man of Pittsburg at that time, 
and who afterwards published newspapers at Keo- 
kuk, Iowa, and other places in the West. 

The subject of this sketch was nine years old 
when his father died, and he commenced to learn 
the printers' trade in his brother's office in Keokuk 
when he was thirteen years of age. He continued 
in the employ of his brother until 18G9, when he 
went to St. Joseph, Mo., wheie he accepted the 
situation of a night pressman on one of the morning 
papers. In 1871 he retired temporarily from the 
printing business and journeyed into the rolling 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



347 



prairie lands of Nebraska, with the intention of pre- 
empting laud. After looking over a few counties 
in this State lie concluded not to locate and footed 
it back to the nearest railroad. In the same year 
he returned to Keokuk and accepted a situation in 
the job department of the Gate City Printing Com- 
pany's office. He continued here until July, 1876, 
when he formed a partnership with his co-laborers, 
Messrs. George Smith, and H. W. Clendenin, which 
existed until the death of the former in 1885, and 
continues with the latter at the present time. The 
new partnership purchased the Keokuk Conslitu- 
tion, which had been until this time a losing insti- 
tution, but with the new firm and with Mr. Rees as 
business manager, the venture proved a financial 
and journalistic success, and the Constitution be- 
came one of the best newspaper properties in tlie 
State, and was sold at a very good price in June, 
1881. 

In February, 1879, Mr. Rees was married to Flora 
Adelia Huston, a daughter of L. W. Huston, one of 
the oldest and best known settlers of Southern 
Iowa. His young wife died in March, 1881, fol- 
lowing the death of their only child but two days 
before and Mr. Rees has never remarried. 

In 1881 the iStaie Eegisier bankrupted and was 
thrown upon the market. The Constitution in the 
meantime being sold, Mr. Rees assumed the busi- 
ness management of the new institution where he 
has remained ever since. During part of the time 
his partner was Postmaster, he filled the position of 
managing editor in addition to his other duties. 
He is what may be termed an all-round printer and 
newspaper man, and since his commencement in the 
business has filled every position in the profession; 
commencing as a roller boy, he has been pressman, 
engineer, job printer, book-keeper, editor and 
manager. He was for several years a member of 
the Executive C'DUimittee, and is now ^'ice-Presi- 
dent of the Illinois Press Association and has been 
a delegate to the National Editorial Association 
on several occasions. He was Chairman of the 
Democratic City Committee, of Springfield, 111., in 
1888 and 1889, is a member of the Royal Arcanum 
and of the B. P. O. Elks. He has by invitation 
prepared severcl papers on advertising for the 
Illinois Press Association. He has also written 



several series of interesting letters for publication 
while traveling, .-uid as a pastime has written some 
poetry for publication. He belongs to a family of 
which several members are printers, and his brothers 
run printing offices in Omaha, Neb., St. Joseph, 
Mo., and Keokuk, Iowa. 

An historical sketch of H. W. Clendenin is pre- 
sented elsewhere in this volume. 




ILTON D. McCOY, one of the honored 
early settlers and a representative of one of 
Sangamon County's pioneer families, re- 
sides on section 1.'), Rochester Township, 
where he follows farming. The name of McCoy 
is inseparably connected with the history of this 
community for in everything pertaining to the ad- 
vancement of the general welfare for the upbuild- 
ing of the county in its early days James AlcCoy, 
the father of our subject, bora a prominent part, 
and in later years Milton D. lias in a like manner 
shared in the advancement and promotion of its 
best interests. 

James McCoy, a native of Bourbon County, 
Ky., married Jane Murphy, who was born in the 
same county where they located, making it their 
home until 1818, when they came to Sangamon 
County. Illinois had not yet been admitted to the 
Union and almost all of its broad prairies were in 
their primitive condition. They lived through the 
following winter on the banks of Horse Creek 
and in the spring of 1819 located on section 15, 
Rochester Township, where lh(!y spent the remain- 
der of their lives. Mr. McCoy was a soldier in 
the War of 1812 and assisted in carrying from the 
field Col. Dick Johnson when he was wounded. 
He served as constable of Illinois during the Ter- 
ritorial days, was one of the commissioners who 
divided the county into school districts and was a 
foremost man in everything pertaining to the 
county's progress. By occupation be was a farmer 
and followed that business throughout his entire 
life. He was reared in the faith of the Presby- 



348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



terian Cliurcb but accepted the Methodist belief, 
and lived a consistent, Christian life in har- 
mony with lliat doctrine. His death occurred in 
1844, and his wife was called to her final rest in 
1852. They were tlie parents of ten children who 
lived to mature years, and their son. Joseph E., 
was the first white child born in the county. He 
was lK)rn on the Gth of March, 1819, there being 
at tliat time only five women in the county. 

Our subject was the fiftli in order of birth and 
upon the old homestead on the IGth of October, 
1823, he first opened his eyes to the light of day. 
Under the sheltering roof-tree he was reared to 
manhood, and when he had attained to mature 
years he chose a wife from among the young ladies 
of his neighborhood. On the 29th of March, 
1848, he wedded Miss Maleina A. Cooper who was 
born in Rochester Township November 22, 1830, 
and is a daughter of J.icob Cooper, a direct de- 
scendant of the Rev. John Cooper, llor mother, 
whose maiden name was Jane Kelly, was a native 
of North Carolina, and a daughter of William 
Kelly, who w.as one of the earliest settlers of 
Springfield. III. Mr. Cooper was born in Tennessee 
and both he and his wife died in this township and 
county. 

Mr. McCoy brought his bride to the old home- 
stead and on the farm dear to him from the many 
associations of his youth they began their domes- 
tic life. In connection with the cultivation of his 
land he has engaged in stock-raising and acquired 
a comfortable competence which amply supplies all 
their needs and furnishes them with many of the 
luxuries of life. The farm comprises two hundred 
and forty-five acres of highly improved land, hav- 
ing all the necessar)" buildings and other conveni- 
ences. His home, a commodious and ple.^sant 
residence, was p'anned by JMr. JlcCoy and the ar- 
rangement of the house for convenience and beauty 
is all that could be desired. In politics he has 
taken a somewhat active part, supporting the De- 
mocracy, has filled most of the township offices and 
is now serving as Justice of the Peace. For many 
years he has been a prominent and faithful member 
of the Methodist Church, in which he has served 
as Class-Leader for more than forty years and as 
gtewiJrd for forty-si;^ years, and has also been 



pro.ninently connected with the Sunday-school 
work. 

The family of Mr. McCoy consists of himself, 
wife and si.x children, and they lost one child — 
Valmore B., who died young. The living are Syl- 
vester J., Jacob C; Jane, wife of O. C. St. Clair; 
Jesse K., a dealer in agricultural implements in 
Springfield; Marj', wife of E. Poft'enberger ; and 
Lillie. Mr. McCoy has seen almost the entire growth 
of Sangamon County and with pride has watched its 
development. The broad prairies have been trans- 
formed into rich and fertile farms, cities and vil- 
lages have sprung up, countless manufactories have 
been introduced and it is graced by the State Cap- 
itol. He has the honor of having had a share in 
bringing about this glorious result and deserves to 
be enrolled among its leading citizens, and is a 
strong advocate of temperance. 

Below will be noticed a list of ministers in Ro- 
chester Circuit, formerly, in 1820, calleil Sangamon 
Circuit: 

1820, John Sims; 1821, J. Granville; 1822, T. 
Rice; 1823, J. Miller; 1824, Peter Cartwright; 
1825, Peter Cartwright; 182G,. R. Hairgraves and 
J. Tarkington ; 1827, J.Tarkington and Isaac House; 
1828, J. McKean and J. H. Benson; 1829, S. L. 
Roliinson and D. B. Carter; 1830, J. Haile and D. 

B. Carter; 1831, John Sinclair and A. E. Phelps; 
1832, John Sinclair and J. McHenry; 1833, J. H. 
Benson and N. S. Bastion. 

Flat Branch Circuit. 

1834, J. E. French: 1835, Richard Bird; 1836, 

Isa.ac Haines. 

Buckheart Circuit.. 

1837, Wilson Pitner and Is.aac Haines; 1838, 
Christopher Ilouts; 1839, Michael Shunk; 1840, 
Michael Shunk; 1841. David Madison; 1842, Eze- 
kiel Mobly and Joseph H. Hopkins; 1843, Ben 
Newman; 1844. N. W. Allen. 

Decatur Circuit. 

1845. Richard Bird; 1846, Richard Bird; 1847, 

C. W. Lewis; 1848, C. W. Lewis. 

Mechanicshurg Circu it. 
1849, W. C. Blundell; 1850, W. T. Bennett; 
1851, W. T. Bennett; 1852, W. M. Pallet and A. 
Semple; 1853, Hirani Buck apd J, M, Lane; 1854, 




J 



i^x^'^^-A^ 



^.^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



851 



Hiram Buck and D. Bardrick; 1855. G. W. Fair- 
banks and J. Nate; 1856, G. W. Fairbanks and 

A. Sloan; 1857, I. C. Kimber and B. F. Lodge. 

Rochester Circuit. 
1858, S. H. Clark; 1859, D. P. Lyon; 1860, D. 
P. Lyon; 1861, J. H. Dimmitt; 1862, Newton 
Clowd;18fi3, W. T. Bennett; 1864, AV. T. Ben- 
nett; 1865, J. Nottingliana ; 1866, William Mur- 
phy ; 1867, William Murphy ; 1868, T. M. Dillen; 
1869, J. C. Dailey; 1870, O. H. P. Ash; 1871, S. 
H.Clark; 1872, S. H. Clark; 1873, S. H. Clark; 
1874, W. W. Curnutt;1875. W. W^Curnutt; 1876, 
W. W. Curnutt; 187'/, G. W. Dungan; 1878, G. 
W. Dungan; 1879, G. W. Dungan; 1880, A. M. 
Dunnaven; 1881, A. M. Dunnaven; 1882, D. P. 
Lyon; 1883, D. P.Lyon; 1884, B. D.Wiley; 1885, 

B. D. Wiley; 1886, B. D. Wiley; 1887, C. F. To- 
bey; 1888, J. C. Lockhart; 1889, J. C. Lockhart; 
1890, T. M. Pricket. 



\f]AMES E. POWER. It is always a rare 
pleasure to the biographical writer to meet 
with the pioneers of an}' State or county; to 
iiear them recount thrilling experiences 
amid frontier surroundings and savage foes; to 
listen to their descriptions of the land which was, 
during those early years, comparatively unim- 
proved, and which bore no resemblance to the 
liighly cultivated Gelds of the present time. Such 
an one is Mr. Power, whose portrait on the oppo- 
site page and whose biography we herewith present 
to the readers of the Album. 

But few of the native-born citizens of Sangamon 
County have been more prospered in their voca- 
tions than this gentleman, who is one of the largest 
landowners and most extensive farmers in this sec- 
tion of the country. Not only has he been pros- 
pered financially, but by his uprightness and 
honorable dealing with all he has won an enviable 
reputation for probity and integrit}'. He was born 
December 1, 1824, in a log cabin on the farm he 
now owns in Fancy Creek Township, this county. 
Among the most prominent pioneers of Sangamon 
County, George Power, the father of our subject, 



was numl)ered, and he was closely idenliflcd with 
both the business and political life of his adopted 
home. He was a native of Kentucky, and was born 
on the 18th of February, 1798. In the flush of 
a vigorous and stalwart manhood he emigrated to 
the wilds of this State and settled on Fancy Creek 
in 1821, in what is now Fancy Creek Township. He 
entered considerable land and purchasett a large 
tract. The patents for the land entered were signed 
by President Andrew Jackson. Mr. Power's first 
work was to build a log cabin ere he entered upon 
the hard pioneer task before him of developing a 
farm from a state of nature. The country round 
about was in a very wild condition with plenty of 
game and the Indians were much more numerous 
than the white settlers, there being but few of • the 
latter within a radius of many miles. 

The father of our subject was very fortunate in 
all that he undertook, became one of the wealthy 
men of the county, and at the time of his death left 
a valuable estate of twenty-five liundred acres of 
land. He placed his farm under fine improvement, 
which included a substantial, roomy residence, and 
all necessary buildings. He was a prominent official 
in the Black Hawk War, serving as Second Lieu- 
tenant and held the otlice of Major in the militia 
organization many years. lie was prominent as 
Justice of the Peace, which position he hold eight- 
een years, and it is a fact worthy of note that 
Abraham Lincoln made his first plea in a lawsuit 
before Esq. Power. The house in vvhieh he spoke 
is still standing on the old Power homestead. It 
was built in 1830, and is a frame structure con- 
taining two rooms, it being the first frame house in 
the country for miles around. The frame consisted 
of split rafters, studding also split. The interior 
is ceiled with walnut lumber sawed by band with 
the old whip-saw. The weather-boaixling was done 
with clapboards. Lincoln appeared before Esq. 
Power sovenil other times. Mr. Power tried 
many cases and it is said that none of his decisions 
were ever reversed by a higher court. This vener- 
able pioneer passed away August 5, 1886, at the 
advanced age of eighty-eight years. He was well- 
known throughout the county-, and was greatly re- 
spected for his many virtues. Politically, he was 
alwaj's a Democrat and stanchly uilhcred to his 



852 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



party. He was a self-made man as all that he had 
and all liiat he was, he owed to his own exertions. 
His only capital to begin life on when he arrived in 
this comity, was VG in money together with energy 
and sound traits of character. 

The maiden name of tlie mother of onr subject 
was Nancy Wilcox. She was born in Kentucky 
on the loth of January, 1804, and died at a ripe 
old age in this county in 1884. Her marriage with 
(4eorge Power was productive of two sons, Will- 
iam I), and James E. William was in earl}' life en- 
gaged as a farmer, but subsequently read law in 
kSpringlield and became eminent in his profession. 
He was Probate Judge of this county some years, 
and his death in 1863 closed a lirilliant career. 

James Power, of this sketch, was the younger of 
tl^e two children born to his parents, and was reared 
here amid pioneer scenes. He attended the early 
subscription schools, taught in a log schoolhonse 
witli slab seats, puncheon floor, greased paper for 
windows and heated b}' fire in an old-fashioned fire- 
l)lace with a chimney of sticks and clay. He early 
began to enter upon his life work as a farmer, and 
was engaged in that business in partnership with 
his father so long as the latter lived. He has been 
more than ordinarily prospered and now hnssevin- 
teen hundred acres of as fine farming land as ma\' 
be found in the county, all of which lies in a body 
and is under good improvement. He has been en- 
gageil in stock-raising very extensively in the past 
but of late years has not [laid much attention to 
that branch of agriculture. He is a fine business 
man, has good financial and executive talent, is far- 
sighted and keen in the management of his affairs, 
and stands among the first men in the township in 
regard to his skill and success in farming. 

Mr. Power and Mi^s Laura C. Chord were mar- 
ried jS'ovembcr 9, 1878. Mrs. Power is a na- 
tive of Menard County, III., and her marriage with 
our subject has been blessed to them by the birth 
of three children, of whom the following is the 
record: James W., born October 16, 1879; Charles 
P., February 14, 1882 ; Araminta J., May 20,1885. 
Mr. and Mrs. Power have one of the most beauti- 
ful homes in this part of the county, and a view of 
it will be found on another page. It is a palatial 
residence handsomely furnished, and the careful 



manner in which the household affairs are con- 
ducted by Mrs. Power adds greatl}' to its attract- 
iveness. Mr. Power is a thoughtful, unassuming 
man whose fine traits of character have won him 
the confid'ence and esteem of all about him, and he 
and his good wife are numbered among the best 
people of the community. 

Ceo (^~^^^\i ~-^ c<ii] 

\ HILLIP COLLINS is an honorable member 
J) of the farming class in this county, and is a 
respected citizen of Illiopolis Township, 
where he is busily engaged in the manage- 
ment of the farm of which he is the fortunate |)ro- 
prielor. He was born in Ireland in 1850, and is a 
son of Michael and Ellen (Noonan) Collins, who 
were also natives of the Emerald Isle. They were the 
l)arents of four children, of whom three died in 
Ireland, and Phillip is the sole representative of the 
familj'. The father departed this life in 1858. lie 
was a farmer and left a snug little farm to his 
widow and only son. He is said to have been a man of 
great integrity, and was a true Catholic in religion 
and a sound Democrat in politics. After the father's 
death the mother of our subject married James 
Burns, a native of Ireland and a prosperous farmer 
in Sangamon County, lie was a devoted Catholic 
and when he died in 1884 he left the bulk of his 
projjerty to the church. 

Phillip Collins was reared on a farm and enjoyed 
but few educational advantages. He was still quite 
j'oung when he began to battle with life on his 
own account. At tlie age of 'twenty-three so indus- 
trious had he been and so wisely had he saved his 
earnings tliat he had accumulated a sufficient sum 
of n)oney to give him a good start on the road to 
independence. He then leased a farm but the sea- 
sons were unfavorable and he lost his hard-earned 
cash, besides finding himself in debt. He was, how- 
ever, undaunted by these discouraging circum- 
stances and as he had vigorous health and a stalwart 
manhood, he felt that he could retrieve what be 
had lost, and went to work with a good will by the 
montli until every cent of his obligations was dis- 
charged. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



863 



On the deatli of his stepfather he took charge of 
the homestead and bought back the original farm 
from the cliurch. He novv has one hundreil and 
twenty aeics of as fine land as can be found in 
the vicinit\' and is constantly adding good im- 
provements so that it bids fair to be one of the 
most valuable estates in the neighborliood. Mr. 
Collins is a truly religious man and adiieres firmly 
to the faith of his fathers as a good Catholic. Po- 
litically he affiliates with the Democrats and is an 
excellent specimen of the Irish race Americanized. 

In his work Mr. Collins has had the valuable as- 
sistance of a good wife. Her maiden name was 
Agnes Faith and she is a native of this county. The 
eldest of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Collins died 
in infancy, and of the other two, Michael Ballhes, 
is a sturdy litile fellow of four years, and baby 
Piiilip Francis has attained tlie mature age of one 
year. 



^^EORGE N. BLACK. No citizen of Spring- 
111 (~ — , field has taken a more active interest in lier 
^^<jj development or worked harder to secure it 
than George N. Black. To him more than any 
otiier man is she indebted for her leading indus- 
tries, her railroad facilities and hotel accommoda- 
tions, as it was he who secured most of the 
subscriptions to the stock of the Springfield Watch 
Company, which now employs about one thousand 
men and women, also to the different railroads, 
exce|)ling the first two built, and to the stock of the 
Leland Ilolel. But for his persevering efforts prob- 
ably some of these would not have been established. 
Was any money to be raised in behalf of any public 
undertaking, he was the man to raise it; was any 
more needed in behalf of additional facilities for 
transportation, he was the man to arouse interest 
and agitate the subject. 

Our subject comes on his paternal side of good 
old Revolutionary slock. His grandfather, James 
BLack, a Scotchman, landed in New York Cit}' from 
Glasgow, just before the declaration of war in 
1775. He enlisted in the cause of the Colonists and 
served with distinction. He was made a Captain 



in the Revolutionary War and his commission, 
signed by George AVashington. is now in the pos- 
session of our subject, as is also a book which was 
among the first ever .adopting a system of double 
entry, and which was used by .lames Black in Scot- 
land, said book hearing the date of 17G5. On the 
maternal side our subject traces his ancestry back 
to Dr. Fuller, one of the passengers on the first trip 
made by the "Mayflower" in 1C20. John Black, an 
uncle of our subject was American Consul and 
Consul-General to Mexico for the long period of 
nearly forty years. He went from New York to 
the city of Mexico to put in machinery in mines, 
and was then appointed to the Consulship by Jack- 
son and was kept there till Lincoln's time, when he 
resigned and returned to this country. 

The parents of our subject were William M. 
and Persis (Fuller) Black. He was born amid 
the beautiful scenery of Berkshire County at Lee, 
Mass., March lo, 1833, and was educated in the 
common schools and in an academy in his native 
State. At the youthful age of fourteen years he be- 
came self-supporting and came West to seek his 
fortune, living in Vandaija, III., for two j'ears, and 
in ISJO he came to Springfield, arriving here in the 
month of October. He entered the employ of Col. 
John Williams as clerk in a dry. goods store at $15 
a month. .Six years later, so ably had he served the 
interests of his employers and had displaj'ed such 
good business talent that he was received into part- 
nership, the firm name being changed to John Wil- 
liams & Co. They continued in business for 
twenty-five years, when the partnership was dis- 
solved by the sale of the business to C. A. Gehrmann 
in September, 1880. 

Mr. Black h.as a lovely home and to the lady who 
presides over it so graciously and has contributed 
so much to his happiness in life, he was wedded in 
the month of October, 185'J. Mrs. Black was for- 
merly Louise lies Williams, and is a daughter of 
Col. John Williams. Onl\- two of the children born 
to our subject and his wife survive, — .John W. and 
Annie Lulu. George, their youngest son, who was 
attending the Shattuck School at Faribault. Minn., 
at the time of his deatii, was drowned while in bath- 
ing. May 19, 1880. 

A man of generous nature an<l endowed with an 



354 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



indomitable will and those pleasant personal qnali- 
ties that attract friends, our subject has been very 
influential, not only in advancing the various impor- 
tant enterprises with which he has been associated 
and which have done so much to develop the city 
and raise its financial standing, but in other ways 
has he contributed to elevate its status, and his 
name will be held in perpetual honor for what he 
has done and is doing. In addition to his mer- 
cantile business he has been prominently identified 
with most of the jjublic enterprises that have in- 
uied to tlie growth and prosperity of Springfield 
and Sangamon County. lie was one of the com- 
pany that built the Leiand Hotel, and was one of the 
original compan}' that projected and constructed 
the Pana, Springfield S: Northwestern Railroad, of 
which he was made a Diieetor and Secretary'. This 
line is now a part of the Ohio & Mississi|ipi Rail- 
road. He was also one of the prime movers in 
building tlie Oilman, Clinton & Springfield Rad- 
road, of which he was one- tenth owner, and 
which is now the .Springfield branch of the 
Illinois Central Rilroad. He was one of the 
original movers in and contriljutors to the Spring- 
fiehl A' Northwestern Railroad, of which he was ap- 
|)ointed receiver in 187.5 and had it under his charge 
four^'ears. After it was sold and re-organized he 
operated it as general man.agcr fifteen months. 

Our subject was one of the original stockholders 
and Cashier of the First National Bank during the 
first year of its existence. He was one of the organ- 
izers and original stockholdeis of the Springfield 
City Railw.ay and acted as its treasurer many years, 
and has also been one of its directors and its vice- 
president. He was one of the founders of the Illi- 
nois Watch Company, in which he put *8,000 
capital and for two years helfl the office of treas- 
urer of the company. He h.as been secretary and 
treasurer of the Barcla}' Coal Mining Compan}' 
from its organization in 1873. He was secretarj' 
and director of the Springfield <fe St. Louis Railroad 
wliich was projected as an air-line between the two 
cities. He was one of tlie incorporators of the 
Steam Supply and Electric Light Company and to 
his efficient services as one of the directors and secre- 
tary of the organization it owes much of its finan- 
cial success. He is now a director in the Sangamon 



Loan and Trust Company, and also a director in 
the Abstract and Title Guarantee Company. Not- 
withstanding these varied enterprises with which he 
is so prominentl}' connected, our subject has found 
some leisure to devote to politics and for eighteen 
years was chairman of the Sangamon County Re- 
publican Central Committee. He is a straight 
Republican, and is one of the stanchest defenders 
of the policy of his party. He is also a great lover 
of books and has probably tlie finest private library 
in the city. 



^^^£ 



^fOSEPH W. LANHAM, who for eighteen 
years has resided upon his present farm on 
section 6, Auburn Township, is one of the 
/ representative and successful .agriculturists 
ot the county. In a family of twelve children he 
is the eldest. He was born near Lebanon, Ky., 
September 3, 1837, and in the same county, that 
State, his father. Edward L^nham, was born in 
1812. His grandfather. Zachariah Lanham. a na- 
tive of Maryland, of Irish descent, removed to 
Kentucky in a very early d.ay. and in the midst of 
its wild scenes Edward had ample opportunity to 
indulge his love of hunting, becoming quite expert 
with the rifle. He marrieil Elizabeth Bland, a na- 
tive of Monroe County, Ky., and a daughter of 
Warren Bland, a farmer and stock-raiser who 
owned a fine farm on the Cumberland River and 
also eng.aged in fi'eighting nnd boating. Tobacco 
was one of his chief products, and this article he 
shipped down the Mississippi to New Orleans on 
flfltboats, returning to his home on foot. He 
served in the War of 1812, participating in the 
battle of New t)rleans under Gen. .Jackson, and 
died in his native .'^late. 

In 1850 Edward Lanham brought his family to 
Illinois, making the journey by lioat to Alton, and 
thence by team to Greene County, where he eng.aged 
in farming until his death, which occurred Janu- 
ar}' 4, 1866. He was a Democrat and a member 
of the Catholic Church. His wife survived him 
thirteen years and died in Greene County in July, 
1870. In their family were twelve children, eight 




"> 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



357 



of whom grew to maUiie jears — Joseph W., whose 
name heads this notice; Lncinda, who died in 
Greene Countj^; Mrs. Mary Randy, of Mon(gomery 
County; Tliomas, of Greene County; Mrs. Nancy 
Deaton, of Greene County; Mrs. Annie McPharon, 
of Greene Count}'; Jnines, who is living in the 
same county; and Mrs. Amanda Bandy, also of 
Greene^County. 

Our suliject, on tiie 3d of September, 1837, on 
his father's farm in Lebanon, Ky., first opened his 
eyes to the light of day. He was educated in the 
subscription schools, and when a lad of twelve 
years accompanied his family on their emigration 
to Illinois. He shared in the hardships and trials 
of frontier life in the days when one had to go to 
market at St. Louis, sixty miles away. Five trips 
were made to that citj' during tlio winter, and it 
was no easy task, for the roads were in a poor con- 
dition and led through a sparsely-settled country. 
In 1864 Mr. Lanliara came by wagon to Sangamon 
County, and for a year worked in Auburn and 
Talkington Townships, after which ho returned to 
Greene Count}'. He was married in Jerseyville, 
on the 28th of September, 187), the lady of his 
choice being Miss Mary Ezell, daughter of Daniel 
and Winnie Ezell, both of whom were natives of 
Alabama, and became early settlers of Christian 
County, 111., where her father died. The death of 
her mother occurred in Iowa. There were eight 
children in their family — Margaret, now deceased; 
William, Sol, Aaron, Nancy, Melissa, Martha and 
Mary. 

Mrs. Lanham was born in Christian County Feb- 
ruary 3, 1841, and being left an orphan at an early 
age was reared in the family of Samuel Snedeker, 
of Jerseyville. Slie has been twice married. She 
became the wife of William Stout, a native of New 
Jersey, and they removed to Auburn Township, 
where the husband engaged in farming until his 
death, which occurred June 26, 1870. The follow- 
ing year she became the wife of Joseph Lanham, 
and in the spring of 1872 the}' removed to their 
l)resent farm. Their home has been blessed by the 
presence of three children — Ida M., OUie E. and 
Charles H. The farm at first comjirised but one 
hundred and sixty acres, but now four hundred 
acres pay tribute to the care and cullivation of the 



owner, and two good residences, barns, outbuild- 
ings and other improvements stand as monuments 
to his thrift and enterprise. In addition to the 
latest improved machinery he has a windmill and 
tank and other farm conveniences. He raises grain, 
hogs and sheep, making a specialty of Poland- 
China hogs and sheep of the Cotswold breed. A 
valued citizen of the community, he does what he 
can for its upbuilding, gives his support to all 
worthy enterprises, and is widely and favorably 
known throughout the county. For three 3ears he 
served as Commissioner of the township, and for 
five years beheld the office of School Trustee. He 
is a Democrat in jiolitics, has served as a delegate 
to county conventions, is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and the Grange, of Auburn, and his wife 
holds membership in the Presbvlerian Church. 
The Lanham household is noted for its hospitality, 
and its members hold an enviable position in the 
social world. In December, 1861, our subject was 
drafted and furnished a substitute in the army. 



-<*j^»«-^»S^ 



"tf5s?.<^e^ 



^^EORGE A. SANDERS, A. B., occupies a 
(II ,__ position of prominence among the attorneys 
'^Vv-jjjj of Springfield. He is a member of the law 
firm of Sanders & Bowers, with office over the 
First National Bank. They have a good general 
practice and make a speeialt}' of municipal bond 
litigation, corporation and railway cases. 

Mr. Sanders comes of good old Massachusetts 
stock, and is himself a native of the B.ay State, 
born in Williamstown, July 4, 1836. His parents, 
Anthony and Celinda B. (Brown) Sanders, were 
among the early settlers of that beautiful town, 
where his father was engaged as a farmer during his 
life. Our subject received fine educational advan- 
tages and was graduated with honor from AVilliams 
College in the class of '61, with the degree of Bach- 
elor of Arts, and is a member of the Phi Beta 
Kappa College Society. 

After leaving college Mr. Sanders came to Illi- 
nois as he considered this State offered a broader 
field of action for young men of ambition, c ducation 



858 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and enterprise than the older States. He arrived 
at Ceiitralia in the month of September, 1861, and 
durinjif the ensuing two years liad cliarge of tlie 
city schools there. He intended to enter the legal 
profession and devoted his leisure time to reading 
law and afterwards studied with Swett & Orm of 
Bloomington. He successfully passed examination 
and was admitted to the bar in 1863. He opened 
an office at Centralia, 111., having for a partner 
Richard S. Nelson, under the firm name of Nelson 
& Sanders, and subsequently he was associated with 
(ien. E. M. Bates under the firm name of Bates & 
Sanders. They continued together till 1870, when 
Gen. Bates was elected State Treasurer, and our 
subject was a()pointcd liis first arsistant. He served 
four 3'ears with Gen. Bates and for two years was 
First Assistant Treasurer under Edward Eutz. 

After Mr. Sanders left the Treasury Department 
he established himself in this city in his profession 
and bad at differsnt times several attorneys in 
])arlnership in the practice of law. He was with Mr. 
Williams under the firm name of Sanders & Will- 
iams, with Mr. Haynes as Sanders & Haynes, and 
filially entered into his present partnership with Mr. 
Bowers. They enjoy a goo<l reputation as law^'ers of 
learning and skill, have their full share of clients and 
have had a large practice in the United States Cir- 
cuit and Supreme Courts. 

To the lady who presides so gracefully over his 
home and assists him in making it attractive to their 
many friends, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage 
November 16, 1865. Mrs. Sanders' maiden name 
was Antoinette C. Lee. She was born in Fulton, 
Oswego County, N. Y., and is a daughter of the 
Hon. M. L. Lee. Her marriage with our subject 
has been blessed to them by the birth of five chil- 
dren, only one — Effie S. — now living 

Mr. Sanders is well-known in political circles of 
this State, having taken a very active part in 
politics and being one of the noted speakers of his 
pnrty. He is a great worker in every campaign, 
and has made many speeches in various parts of 
Illinois. He is prominent in ihe councils of the 
Republican party and was a Grant Elector in 1872. 
Willie a resident of Centralia he was for some years 
City Attorney. He and his amiable wife are among 
the leading members of the First Congregational 



Church, in which he has filled various offices, and 
they are always among the foremost in pushing 
forward every good work. 

As a prominent representative, not only of the 
bar, but also of the citizeiishii) of Springfield, we 
are pleased to present a lithographic portrait of Mr. 
Sanders on another page. 



►^^ 



SIMPSON HUGHES, M. D., is a physician 
of high reputation in Springfield, and stands 
among the leading members of his profession 
in Sangamon Count}'. He is a native of this State, 
born in Randolph County, January 22, 1844, and 
is the second son of William Stace and Maria (Sim- 
mons) Hughes, natives respectively of A^irginiaand 
Maine. The Hughes were an old Virginia family 
who located there in Colonial times. The grand- 
father of our subject many j'ears ago left his home 
in the Old Dominion and started for Kentucky, and 
from there came to what was then the Territory of 
Illinois. This journey was beset with man}' dan- 
gers and difficulties, and while he and his family 
were crossing the Ohio River he was shot and 
killed with an arrow aimed at him by an Indian. 
Mrs. Hughes proceeded on her way after the death 
of her husband, and is numbered among the early 
settlers of Randolph Count}'. 

William S. Hughes was a man of sonnd learning 
and marked ability. He was famous as a lawyer in 
his day, and for a time held the office of County 
.Judge. He died in 1855, lamented by the many 
friends whom he had gathered about him in his 
many years residence in Randolph County. His 
wife had preceded him in death, dying in 1846 
when their son of whom we write was but two years 
old. 

Dr. Hughes is the only survivor of the family. 
After his father's death, which occurred when he 
was eleven years of age, he started to walk away 
from his home. He had traveled a distance of thirty- 
two miles, and was footsore and weary, when he 
approached a house that proved to be the dwelling 
of his uncle William Simmons. This relative kindly 
invited him to stay over night, and then being fa- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



359 



vorably impressed with the courage, plucii and man- 
liness of the little lad gave him a home until the 
breaking out of the war. Thus it came to pass that 
lie was reared to agricultural pursuits, bis uncle be- 
ing the owner of the celebrated Rook Spring Farm. 

In 1859 the Doctor was fortunate in meeting 
with B. J. VanConrt, of O'Fallon, St. Clair County, 
with'whom be boarded. That gentleman took an 
interest in his young friend, and gave his youthful 
life an impetus, changing the current of his aspira- 
tions and giving him the start which has resulted 
ill what he is to-day. The Doctor still cherishes a 
deep gratitude in his heart for his old friend, and 
feels that to him he is indebted more than to any 
other person for his present honorable position. 

Dr. Hughes is a noble type of the volunteers of 
the late war, who did so much to save the LTnion 
from destruction. He had not attained his major- 
ity when he enlisted August 12, 1862, in Company 
L One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Infantry. 
lie served in the army three years with credit, and 
faced tlie hardships and dangers of a soldier's 
life with hard}' and unflinching courage. In Au- 
gust, 18G4, he was detailed to serve in the medical 
(lei)artnient where he remained until his final dis- 
charge. His connection with that department awak- 
ened in him an interest in medicine and led to his 
ailopting the profession. After a thorough course 
(if preliminary studies he entered the St. Louis 
.Medical College from which he was graduated in 
1872. While in college he alternated his attendance 
upon lectures with practice, he having his own way 
10 make. 

After leaving college our subject opened an office 
al Darmstadt, St. Clair County, whence he removed 
bliortly after to Kane, Greene County. He practiced 
successfully some 3'ears, and in 1880 took u)) his 
residence in Springfield, wliere he has since pursued 
his vocation. Nature seems to have fitted him for 
his noble calling, as he is of a magnetic tempera- 
iiieiit, is tender and sympathetic in his relations with 
his patients, and his cheerful kindly [jresenee in the 
sick room acts as a tonic on the invalid. He has 
long been prominently identified with the G. A. R. 
being a member of Stephenson Post No. 30, and he is 
Past Chief Mustering Offlcer.Department of Illinois. 
He takes an active interest in the work of that great 



organization, and attends all the National encamp- 
ments. He is also prominent as a Mason and an 
Odd Fellow. In politics he is with the Republicans 
and is a strong advocate of the policy of his party. 
Dr. Hughes was married November 27, 1878, to 
Miss Mary E., daughter of Col. A. Freeman. She 
is a woman of gracious presence and many lovely 
attributes of character, who is well fitted to adorn 
the home. f){ her hat)py wedded life with our sub- 
ject one child has been born, Arthur F. 



"^OHN C. CHILTON, dealer in agricultural 
implements. New Berlin, is one of the en- 
ter|)rising young business men who have 
come to the front within the last decade to 
aid in carrying on and promoting the commercial 
interests of their native county. He was born in 
this township, September 25, 1857, and is a son of 
one of the early pioneers of the county, W. D. 
Chilton, who settled here before the railroad was 
built through here and could relate many interest- 
ing stories of the days spent in the cabin and of 
the means of subsistence on corncob dodgers. 

Our subject received his education in the public 
schools of this count}' and in early life followed 
agricultural pursuits, successfully managing his 
mother's farm for eight years and accumulating in 
that time about $1,500. He established himself in 
the lumber business at New Berlin in the fall of 
1887 with a capital of $2,000. He built up quite 
an extensive trade in that line, and has since added 
the sale of agricultural implements, and does a 
large business of 110,000 to $12,000 each year. He 
is prompt and systematic in carrying on his biisi- 
ness and displays much enterprise and foresight 
in his transactions and already occupies an assured 
place among the substantial citizens of New Berlin. 
January 2, 1878, Mr. Chilton and Miss Mary J. 
Dunlap were united in a marriage that has jtroved 
to be one of mutual felicity and happiness. The 
wedding ceremony that made them one was per- 
formed by the Rev. Mr. Grain. Mrs. Chilton is a 
lady of much culture and is exceptionally well 
educated, having attended the college at .Jackson- 



360 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ville for two j-ears wliere she pursued a fine course 
of study. Her marriage witli our subject lias been 
blessed to tliem bj' the birth of three children, of 
whom two are living, as follows: Anna H., who 
was born June IG, 1880; and LillianLoui.se. Novem- 
ber 5, 1889. 

Mr. and Airs. Chilton are people of high social 
standing and are much esteemed b\- all who know 
them. Mr. Chilton is identified with the Modern 
Woodmen of America .as one of the active mem- 
bers of that organization and in politics he is a 
decided Democrat. 



a:-~^ 



% 



AMES ELDER. The biographical writer is 
always ((leased to note evidences of pros- 
perity and to record the successes that are 
won by an honest, industrious life. Espe- 
cially is this true when, as in the case of Mr. Elder, 
a man has risen l>y his own efforts to a position of 
financial competence and intellectual culture. Dnr- 
iig several decades Mr. Elder was prominently 
connected with the farming interests of this county, 
but in the centennial year he gave up active par- 
ticipation therein and lookup his abode in Buffalo, 
where he still lives. 

Our subject is a native of the Hoosier State, but 
spent a part of his early life in Kentucky, his par- 
ents having removed to Bourbon County, near 
Paris. His father, iSamuel Elder, was a native of 
Tennessee, while his mother, Phebe (Clinkenbeard) 
Elder, was also born in that State in Sevier 
County. The former died in Rochester Township, 
this county, October 24. 1846, and the latter in 
Springfield in December, 1881. They had come 
to this county in 1834. Their family consisted of 
twenty children, nine of whom are now living. 

James Elder was reared on a farm and from 
his early youth until he removed into Buffalo was 
engaged in tilling the soil. He pursued his studies 
in private schools, working for his board while at- 
tending, and struggling on until he secured a fair 
understanding of the usual branches taught. He 
began his operations as a landowner in Rocliester 



Township on a modest tract of forty acres, where 
he built himself a little dwelling. In lfiy2 he sold 
out there and for a time operated rented land. He 
then bought one hundred and eighty-one acre near 
the southern part of the townslii)), where henpur- 
sued his course until 1861. 

AVe next find Mr. Elder purchasing one hundred 
and twenty acres of land in Buffalo Heart Town- 
ship and ere long adding twenty acres. _Still later 
he added one hundred and twenty, making up an 
estate of two hundred and sixty acres which he 
finally sold to his son-in-law. He then bought one 
hundred and sixty acres near, upon which he con- 
tinued his farming operations until 1876, when he 
bought a neat, house in Buffalo and removed 
thither. Ten years later he purchased his present 
residence. "This is a fine brick mansion, built with 
all the modern improvements, in 1876, and is one 
of the handsomest and most substantial dwellings 
in the entire county. 

The noble woman who won the heart and hand 
of Mr. Polder bore the maiden name of Harriet 
Walker. Their marriage rites were celebrated in 
Christian County February 27, 1844, at the home 
of the bride's parents, Daniel and Sarah Walker. 
Mrs. Elder was born in Ohio, to which State her 
parents had gone from Virginia, the land of their 
birth, and whence the^' came to this State in 1835. 
At the death of her brother, Hirara Walker, a 
wealthy resident of Springfield, Mrs. Elder inher- 
ited four hundred and seventy-three acres of fine 
land and other valuable property. This, added to 
the possessions of her husband, gives them good 
financial standing and the joint ownership of about 
seven hundred acres of real estate. 

Mr. and Mr. Elder have three living children 
and have lost four by the grim monster. Death. 
The eldest of their living children is Lydia, wife 
of Joseph F. Ellington, their home being in 
Buffalo. The second is Fanny J., wife of J. O. 
Irwin, residing in Springfield. The third, Harriet 
Ann, married Henry C. Garvey, and lives in 
Buffalo. Mr. and Mrs. Elder have a beautiful 
grandchild who gives promise of rare intelligence. 
She is a daughter of Mrs. Garvey, bears the name 
of Harriet Ann, and was born at grandma's. Our 
subject aud his wife after rearing their own chil- 



PORTRAIT AND StOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



361 



dren took a grandcliikl, Georgie, when three yoais 
old, and have given her every advantage — sending 
her to college, instructing her in music, etc. She 
has now reached the age of seventeen years and is 
the life of the home. 

Mr. Elder enjoys the honor merited by iiis in- 
dustrious, useful life and high moral character. He 
and his wife belong to the Primitive Baptist 
Church and have high standing among its mem- 
bership. Their elegant home is the seat of generous 
hospitality and tiie center of unostentatious charity 
by which the needs of man}' deserving poor are 
relieved. 




(k,M. ATHEW M. WITHROW is one of the 
young men who are winning a competence 
in tilling the soil of their native county 
and in all other energetic labors. In the 
prosecution of his business affairs he displays a 
commendable degree of Zealand assiduity, and the 
reward which his efforts are meeting witii is one 
that is satisfactory to himself and to all who are 
interested in the success of honest endeavors. 

Mr. Withrow is descended from tvvo honorable 
families of the section south of the Mason and Dixon 
line. His father, James H. Withrow, was born in 
Virginia January 15, 1811, and his mother, Maria 
(Beauchamp) Withrow, in Kentucky, in 1814. In 
1825, James Withrow accompanied liis father, 
Joseph Withrow, to this State, the family locating 
in what is now Woodside Township, this county, 
where land was entered by our subject's grand- 
father. After having reached man's estate, James 
AVithrow entered land in Macoupin Count}', whence 
in 1851 he returned to this count}', settling in Will- 
iams Township. He purchased land and operated 
a sawmill that was run bj' horse power. He died 
September 26, 1883, at the age of sevent^'-two 
years. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and was highly respected by all 
who knew him. Ilis good wife passed away April 
25, 1884, at the age of seventy jears. For a long 
period she was connected with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and vvas zealous in support of its 
doctrines and various branches of work. 

The family of which our subject formed one 



consisted of seven children, three of whom are 
now living. The natal day of M. M. Withrow 
was August 25, 1852, and his birthplace was the 
parental estate on senlion 28, Williams Township, 
this county. He received a fair common-school 
education, and so long as his parents lived, remained 
under their roof assisting his father in the man- 
agement of the farm. He now owns two hundred 
and five acres of splendid land, which has been 
well improved with everything which goes to make 
up a well-regulated estate. He operates a sawmill 
and threshing machine, and has for several years 
dealt in baled hay, buying the hay wiien it is first 
cured and shipping it after baling. 

March .31, 1878, the solemn marriage rites were 
celebrated between our subject and Mary C. James, 
a daughter of George W. and Sophia (Brown) 
James. The bride was born in Logan County, 
October 6, 1853, and was carefully reared by 
Christian [.arents. Her father was born in Virginia, 
but reared in Ohio, of which State Mrs. James is a 
native. They were very early settlers in Logan 
County, but are still living and are active members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. 
Withrow are the happy parents of three children : 
Adie R., born Decemlwr 18, 1878; George H.. 
•January 19, 1882;and Ada M., Novembers, 1884. 
Mr. Withrow has served in various positions of 
public trust in connection with the local adminis- 
tration of affairs. In politics he is a Democrat. 
He is a man of moi'c than ordinary intelligence, 
keeping himself well informed regarding the world's 
events and the progress of humanity, and capable 
of conversing agreeably and clearly on various 
topics of interest. He and his wife are active and 
influential ine:nbers of the Methodist E|)iscopal 
Church and both are highly esteemed in the com- 
munity. 

■ ■* '' ' -J^S^" ►^-^-^ 

W>ILLIAM J. CONKLING, attorney-at-law 
in SpringQeld, is probably the oldest No- 
, ^ tary Public in the State, he having been 
appointed June 1, 1857, by Gov. Bissell. and re-ap- 
pointed by each successive occupant of the Guber- 
natorial chair. He received the appointment .lan- 
uaiy 18, 1876, of Public Administrator from Gov. 



S62 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBTJM. 



Beveridoe and this appointment lias been renewed 
from time to time by tlie succeeding governors. 
Mr. Conl^liiig is also engaged in prosecuting claims 
against the Government. His life presents a pic- 
lure of energ}' and perseverance under difllculties 
whicli make it worthy the emulation of all young 
men who are ambitious to gain knowledge and 
reach a high standing in their life's labor. 

Stephen Conkliug, the father of our subject, was 
born October 22, 1786, in New Jersey, and married, 
September 1, 1818, Sarah lielkuap, of Ncwburg. Or- 
ange County, N. Y. He was engaged in merchandis- 
ing and other pursuits in New York City until 1831, 
when he removed to Mt. Vernon, Ohio. While 
living at that place he was a witness of the won- 
derful phenomenon familiarl^^ known as the falling 
(if the stars. In August, 1839, the family removed 
to LeRoy, McLean County, 111., and our subject, 
although a youth not yet grown to manhood, began 
farmino", aiding by his industrious efforts in the 
.support of the family. He continued in his agri- 
cultural work as well as in teaching school until he 
had nearly attained to the age of twenty-two years. 
He then went to Oberlin, Ohio, and entering the 
famous college there, advanced his knowledge 
during four years of close application to his books. 

The birth of our subject had taken place in New 
Y'oik City November 21, 1826, and in September, 
18u0, he entered college. After com[)leting his lit- 
erary studies he came to Springfield, January 18, 
1853, and began the study of law witli his brother, 
James C. Conkling. He was admitted to the bar 
October 14, 1854, and soon afterward, November 
15, formed a partnership with Erastus Wright, 
one of the oldest settlers in the county, for the 
transaction of real-estate business. The two gen- 
tlemen were connected in business until May 23, 
1857, and it is probable that no resident of thecity 
has done more in that line than our subject. He 
traveled all over the State for his brother and also 
closed out Mr. Wright's large business. He has 
entered, bought and sold real estate from that time 
and still has a large amount of outside property. 
He has also been engaged in building and at the 
same time has been active in the practice of his 
profession. 

Mr. Conkling was married to Miss Olivia Jean- 



netle Holton, of Thetford, Orange County, ^'t., 
September 11, 1855. at the residence of Orange B. 
Heaton, M. D., near Yirden, Macoupin Count3% 
this State, the bride being a sister of Mrs. Heaton. 
Mrs. and Mrs. Conkling have three children living. 
The eldest, P^lla G., is the wife of Henry P. Buck- 
ley, of Springfield, to wliom she was married March 
9, 1876, and their family consists of six children — 
William T., Mary Alice, Hariy M., Edgar H., 
Ralph C. and Julia Jeanette. William H., the sec- 
ond child, is engaged with C. D. Roberts, dealer in 
gentlemen's furnishing goods in Springfield; he 
married. May 29, 1884, Miss Sarah J. Thomson, 
of Jacksonville, and has two children — Ella Grace 
and Jeanelte Amy. Grace H., the youngest child, 
was married June 18, 1885, to George W. Leaver- 
ton, of Springfield, an extensive dealer in boots 
and shoes, and has two children — May Jeaunette and 
William John. 

Mr. Conkling is a member of the Republican 
part}' and before its formation was a Whig. As 
will be seen from the above paragraphs he pos- 
sesses indomitable energ}', is able to carry to a suc- 
cessful issue more than one line of work, and it ma}' 
also be said of him that he is temperate, courteous 
and self-respecting. 



H3- 



=jTfaL- 



-^ 




OSES GOODWIN WAUSWORTH is 
well known throughout this part of the 
State as the editor and proprietor of the 
Citizen, published in Auburn, which is the 
leading weekly paper of Southern Sangamon 
County. Our subject and his son, Charles F., are 
iu partnership, and besides the publication of this 
paper do a good business in job printing. 

Mr. AVadsworth conies of an old New England 
family. His father, Daniel Wadsworth, was born 
in Winthrop, Me., and was a son of Moses Wads- 
worth, who was a nativcof Stoughton, Mass., where 
he carried on farming in early life. He removed 
to Maine when he was a young man and success- 
fully eng.aged in his occupation at Litchfield. He 
was of English descent and a Quaker iu religion. 

The father of our subject earl}' learned the trade 
of a carpenter, and subsequently' engaged in busi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



363 



ness as a contractor and builder at Hallowell, Me., 
until 1840. In that year he emigrated with his 
family to this State and located in the old town of 
Auburn, where he engaged at his trade, and also 
followed farming. During the last years of his 
life he lived retired. He passed away from the 
scenes of earth December 30, 1888, in his ninetieth 
year. He was a Mason for sixty-seven years, and 
one of the oldest in the State. He was a Knight 
Templar and helped to organize tlie first Grand 
Chapter of Illinois at Springfield. He was also 
active in religious matters, was a stanch member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which lie was 
Class-Leader and also held other offices. 

IMargaret F. Goodwin was the maiden name of 
the motlier of our subject. She was born in Free- 
port, Me., and was a daughter of Daniel and Sallie 
(Haskell) Goodwin, of Maine. Her father was a 
farmer and died at St. Albans in Somerset Count3-. 
Mrs. Wadswortli died in May, 1889, in the eighty- 
eighth year of her age, after a long wedded life of 
sixty -six years. She was the mother of the follow- 
ing four children: Emily N.. afterward Mrs. Har- 
lan Corzine, who died in May, 1888; Moses 
Goodwin; Sarah A., now Mrs. J. N. Williams, of 
Boulder, Colo.; Abbie .J., now Mrs. Pinkham, of 
Anatone, Wash. 

The subject of this biographical notice was born 
in Hallowell, Me., February 3, 1826. He was in his 
fifteenth jear when he came to this State with his 
parents. He attended school three months after 
his arrival, and continued to live with his father 
and mother until he was twenty-one years old, 
when he was married, the first time, in Macoupin 
County in the month of September, 1847, to Eliza- 
beth F. Wheeler. She was a native of Hopkins- 
ville, Ky., and a daughter of James and Catharine 
Wheeler, of that State. Her parents were pioneers 
of Macoupin County, where her father carried on 
farming. A happy wedded life of ten years was 
brought to a close in Ma\', 1857, by Mrs. Wads- 
worth's death. She was the mother of the follow- 
ing children: Eugene, who lives with his father; 
Margaret C, who married D. H. Tomlinson, and 
died in Butler, Ind., in March, 1875, leaving one 
son; Flora E., who married J. Ballenger, Marshal 
of the city of Hutchinson, Kan., and has two chil- 



dren; Susan E. M., who married W. W. Lowry, of 
Auburn Township, and has four children; and 
James F. D., residing in this State near Plainview, 
who married Emma Notherton and has four sons. 

After marriage Mr. Wadsworth engaged in farm- 
ing, locating on a farm in Macoupin County. At 
different times he owned four different farms there, 
but after his wife's death he disposed of his prop- 
erty in that section and came to Auburn, where he 
was engaged at the trade of a carpenter some years. 
In 1874 he abandoned that and entered a new field 
of labor, establishing then the Auburn Herald. 
In 1875 he changed the name of the paper to the 
Citizen, and has made of it a sound and reliable 
family newspaper that has a good circulation and 
is a welcome guest in many households throughout 
the county. It is a five-column quarto weekly 
paper, is edited with intelligence, is a newsy sheet 
and contains much valuable information for its 
readers. It is independent in its views, and in 
politics supports the man rather than the party. 

Mr. Wadsworth is a valuable acquisition to the 
citizenship of Auburn and has done good service 
in various official capacities. He was Township 
Clerk three years, was Assessor one year and was 
Collector six years. He is prominent among the 
Masons as Secretary of the Arch and Anchor 
Lodge, No. 354, which position he has held with 
honor for twent}' consecutive years. He is a lead- 
ing member of the Sangamon County Old Settlers' 
Association and Vice-President for Auburn for ten 
years past. He and his amiable wife are devoted 
members of the Christian Church, of which he is 
Assistant Elder and Trustee, and he is also Assis- 
tant Superintendent of the Sunday-school. 

The marriage of Mr. AVadsworth with Miss Mary 
E. Day was solemnized in November, 1862, and 
has proved a mutually felicitous union. Mrs. 
Wadsworth is a native of Petei'sburg, III., and a 
daughter of Bennett and Eva ¥.. Daj-, of Ohio. 
Her father was a blacksmith Ijy trade. The closing 
3ears of his life were pa.ssed in peace and comfort 
at the home of his daughter and our subject. Seven 
children have come to Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth, 
of whom three daughters died in infancy. Their 
other children are: Harry E., Secretary, Treasurer 
and stockholder of the Lander Roller Milling Com- 



364 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



pan}' at Lander, Wyo.; Charles F., who is in part- 
nership witli his father, and who married Viola 
Brownell, of Chatham; Mary F., a graduate of the 
Auburn High School, who is now visiting with 
friends at Aptos, Cal. ; and Eva Margaret who is at 
home with her parents. 



'jy^RANCIS MELVIN FOX. In the death of 
\JU^^ the late Francis M. Fox, Cotton Hill Town- 
/ii ship lost a worthy citizen and 'excellent 

farmer. The estate upon which he had been living 
for several years consists of two hundred and forty 
acres and bears a full line of im)3rovemcnts, in- 
cluding every convenient arrangement in the way 
of buildings and the adornments with which per- 
sons of good taste surround themselves. The land 
was carefully and thoroughly tilled, made to pro- 
duce abundantly, and in the quality' of the crops 
raised compared favorably with others in the town- 
ship. 

Mr. Fox was born in Frederick County, Md., 
March 16, 1837. He was living in this State when 
the Civil War began and on .luly 25, 18C2, he en- 
listed in Company I, One Hundred and Fourteenth 
Illinois Infantry. He served only until February 
17, 1863. when by reason of physical disabilitj-, he 
was compelled to accept his discharge. June 1 1 of 
that year he married and set up his home near 
Riverton. He afterward rented land in different 
parts of the county until the si)ring of 1883, when 
he purchased the estate now occupied by his widow. 
He operated it until stricken by a fatal illness which 
caused his demise. May 31, 1890. He belonged to 
the Christian Church, and in every department of 
life endeavored to walk in the light of the precepts 
of the Gospel. He therefore won the respect of 
his acquaintances, gained the esteem of those who 
knew him best, and left behind him an example 
which will not be without its effect in the years to 
come. 

The wife of Mr. Fox bore tiie maiden name of 
Mary F. Lanham. She was born in De Witt County 
July 23, 1845, and remained with her parents until 
her marri.age to our subject. Her father, the late 



Hudson Lanham., was born either in Kentucky or 
Indiana, and her mother, formerly Sarah King, was 
a native of Kentucky. Both came to this county 
with their parents, the one when sixteen 'and the 
other when ten years old. Their marriage was 
solemnized in this county and they lived in differ- 
ent parts of it and the State. Mr. Lanham was a 
farmer, but during the last four years of his life 
was emploj'ed as ticket agent at Riverton on the 
Wabash Railroad. There he died in January 1862. 
Mrs. Lanham died at the same place in the fall of 
1869. They had ten children, four sons and six 
daughters, Mrs. Fox being the eldest. 

To our subject and his wife six children were 
born, four of whom are now living. These are 
Abraham M., Jenny, Edward and Lulu. Jenny is 
the wife of Christopher Ginther. The deceased 
children died in infancy. Mrs. Fox is a member 
of the Christian Church and, like her deceased hus- 
band, has made it her constant endeavor to live in 
accordance with the principles in which she believes. 
She has won many friends by her earnest efforts in 
behalf of the comfort and welfare of her family 
and her interest in every movement which promises 
to better the condition of society and increase the 
material prosi)crity of the citizens. 

A view of the pleasant home of Mrs. Fox will be 
noticed elsewhere in this volume. 



'/OHN S. LAKE, a native of this county and 
one of its brave citizens who entered the 
army during the Civil War and fought for 
the defence of our country, is now one of 
the successful farmers who are carrying on the 
agricultural interests of this section, his farming op- 
erations being centered in Fancy Creek Township. 
Here he has a good-sized farm that is under fine 
cultivation and is substantially improved, and here 
also he has one of the most comfortable and com- 
modious homes in the vicintiy. A view of this 
pleasant homestead will be found on another page. 
Our subject was born January 9, 1840, and is the 
son of Bayliss G. and Eliza (Glasscock) Lake, who 
were pioneers of this part of the State. His father 




RESIDlNCLOF MRS. MARY F. F0X.5EC.1A. COTTON H ILL TP. SANGAMON CO. ILL. 



i?B(KO*a,-jf5>!*vw .■-■ 




-itM^mii^W&ii^&^m^^^eMm^^^^&iiii^'^:^mm^0!^sss^«&Si^^ 



RESIDENCE OF JOHN S. LAKE,5EC'S 10.15. IG. FANCY CREEK TR SAFIGAMOri CO. I LL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



367 



was born in Virginia and when a young man went 
to Ohio; after remaining tliere two years he came 
to Illinois in the fall of 1830, and became one of 
the early settlers of Sangamon County', entering 
land here and improving a good farm. lie was 
well-known to the citizens of this county as a skill- 
ful and wide-awake farmer. His death occurred 
November 1, 1881, at the age of eighty-si.x j'ears, 
and thus was terminated the life of a useful citizen 
and an honorable pioneer. During the War of 1812, 
he watched its course with great interest, and 
although too young to enlist, was engaged in hauling 
ammunition for the soldiers. He owned and oper- 
ated three water mills in this county during his life- 
time and was quite well-to-do. He was a valued 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
was'ever a consistent Christian. His wife died in 
186-1, and she too was a firm believer in the Meth- 
odist faith and' was a church member. They had ten 
children of whom eight are living. 

John S. Lake obtained his early education in the 
subscription schools of that day, but after he was 
twelve 3'ears old he only had two or three months 
schooling each year. He was twenty-two years old 
when the war broke out, and as soon as he could 
arrange to do so, he offered his services in the (lush 
and vigor of a stalwart manhood to .assist in quell- 
ing the Rebellion, and his name was enrolled as a 
member of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illi- 
nois Infantry. He was present at the siege of V'icks- 
burg and at Haines Bluff did guard duty. He be- 
longed to the Fifteenth Army Corps under Gen. 
Sherman and helped drive Johnson out of Jackson, 
Miss. His regiment was then ordered as far as 
Brandon and then fell back to Bear Creek, where 
it was stationed some months. 

The next important engagement in which Mr. 
Lake took part was at Guntown, where he was 
severely wounded in the right leg just above the 
ankle. As he was unable to get off the battlefield 
he fell into the hands of the rebels and was taken a 
prisoner to Mobile where he lay in a hospital two 
months. He was then removed to Chohofa, where 
he remained from August to October. Finally he 
was exchanged and sent to the convalescent camp 
at Memphis. He subsequently came home on a 
furlough and was discharged at Camp Butler in 



January, 1865, having served with fidelity and 
proving to be a good soldier whether in camp or 
on the battlefield. 

After his ^return to this county, our subject 
turned his attention to farming and stock-raising 
and dealt quite extensively in stock for some time. 
He has one of the finest farms in Fancy Creek 
Township, comprising two hundred and twenty 
acres of choice land whereupon he. has placed every 
desirable improvement. He has. here a handsome 
house neatly and tastefully furnished, which is the 
abode of true hospitality, as both he and his ami- 
able wife and their family are people ofj good so- 
cial position and have many warm friends. 

Mr. Lake's marriage with Miss Blary C. Brittin, 
occurred in 1868. She is a native of this township 
and wasM)orn in 18I8^to Stephen and Jane (McClel- 
lan) Brittin, both natives of Illinois. Her father 
died in 18G2, and her mother in 1865. Mr. and 
Mrs. Lake have had six children, three of whom are 
living — Dora E., James A. and Edith M. The 
others died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lake 
are sincere members of the Christian Church, and 
he is identified wilii the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic. Mr. Lake is and ever has been a true Repub- 
lican in his political sentiments. 




^^ 



i^HOMAS O. RULE is successfully managing 
the immense grain interests of E. R. LHrich 
& Son, at lUiopolis, and it is through his 
energy and tact that the business has assumed its 
present size and importance as one of the leading 
industries of this part of the county. 

Our subject is a native of Stark County, this 
State, and is a son of John and Jane (llume) Rule. 
His ancestors were natives of Scotland, and Mr. 
Rule Inherits the fine trails of character of that 
race. His father came to America in the '50s, 
and settled in New York. A year later he re- 
moved to Stark County, III., and was there engaged 
in farming some years. In 1862 he came to Bureau 
County, and there death closed his career in the 
month of February, 1888. His wife survived him 
until May, 1889, when she too passed away. 



368 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Thomas Rule^ was bred to the life of a farmer 
and his early education was conducted in the public 
schools, and was further sui>pleraented by a course 
in the Kewanee High School and Des Moines, Iowa, 
business college. His first entrance into tlie mer- 
cantile world was in the employ of a firm that en- 
gaged in selling hay, dealing in stock, and had a 
general store at Pioneer, Iowa. Mr. Uule had entire 
charge of the accounts of the firm and handled grain 
at the same point and attended to all shipping, etc. 
He discharged the duties thus devolving upon him 
to the entire satisfaction of the firm, and when lie 
retired by reason of a change in the Arm, he car- 
ried forth such commendations as but few can 
command. 

After leaving that situation Mr. Rule took up his 
residence at Springfield, and after a brief period 
entered the employ of E. R. Ulrich & Son, as a 
laborer. They soon recognized his merits as a busi- 
ness manager, and placed him in control of their 
grain interests at Illiopolis. He found trade here 
very dull, and with his usual enterprise he set to 
woik to improve it, and his efforts have met with 
the most gratifying results. He now has command 
of a business that is really immense in its propor- 
tions, yet notwithstanding the large amount of 
grain that is bought and shipped under his super- 
vision from this elevator, there are never anj' com- 
plaints made as to the way it is handled and the 
money accounts are kept in the most perfect shape. 
It is not unusual for Mr. Rule to buy and ship from 
six to eleven carloads a day for a long season. He 
has already made many fast friends, and established 
himself in the confidence of the people with re- 
markable facilit3^ Personally he is genial and 
companionable and is a good citizen. Few, if any, 
young business men are more trusted by patrons 
and employers than he, and he is richly deserving 
of this confidence. 

Mr. Rule was marrie<l December 24, 1885, to Miss 
Barbara A. Dunn, a native of New York who was 
taken to Iowa vvhen young and reared in that State. 
Mrs. Rule was an excellent scholar and was well 
educated at the Iowa State Normal School where 
she pursued a thorough course of study. After 
leaving that institution she entered the profession 
of a teacher, and was successfully engaged at that 



until her marriage. Her union with our subject 
lirougiit to them one child, a little girl, now three 
and one-half years old, named Violet. Mrs. Rule 
was a woman of lovely and refined character, and 
her death June 30, 1890, after a long and painful 
illness, w.as a sad loss not only to her husband and 
child, but to many friends who were warmly at- 
tached to her. All that was mortal of her was 
taken to Boone Count3S Iowa, for interment and 
there she is now quietly' sleeping the sleep that will 
only be broken by Christ's return to His own. 



z^ 



'^/,]l G. IMURRAY. Among the younger busi- 

' ^l'-\ \ ness men of Springfield the name of A. G. 
11) Murray occupies an important place. This 
gentleman is an attorney-at-law and Presi- 
dent of the Chicago & New Orleans Railway Com- 
pan3'. He brings to bear upon his legal labors and 
the various matters pertaining to rL'ilroad work, a 
well-drilled mind and a natural acumen, that backed 
by an abundance of energy, m.akes matters progress 
rapidly toward a conclusion. 

Mr. Murr.ay was born in Montgomery County, 
Ohio, September 7, 1857, being a son of David and 
Elizabeth (Grove) Murray. He grew to maturity 
in his native county, completing his literary edu- 
cation at the Western Ohio Normal University at 
Lewisburg. He then engaged in teaching, the last 
of his four years of pedagogical labor being spent 
at Farmersville as principal of the schools of that 
city. The bent of his mind inclining him to the 
law, he gave up pedagogy, and going to Dayton, 
began his legal studies under James Linden, Elsq. 
He was admitted to the bar of the State in 1880, 
and practiced at D.ayton two years, after which he 
removed to the Prairie State and established his 
office in Springfield. 

Mr. Murray has given his attention exclusively 
to his practice .and the railroad business in which he 
became interested in 1887. The feasibility of a 
better connection between the North and the South 
led to the organization of the Chicago & New Or- 
leans Railroad Company, which wiis incorporated 
December 13, 1887, by Mr. Murr.ay, H. W. Rokker, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



369 



Charles J. Arabs, and the Hon. S. S. B.arger, of 
Pope County. The design is to run from Altamont, 
Effingham County, to Paducah, Ky., the length of 
the line being one hundred and fifty miles. The 
preliminary surveys, location of line, and all pre- 
liminary work in connection therewith has been 
completed and the construction of the road placed 
in the hands of the Western Improvement Com- 
pany of this city. 

The capital stock as incorporated was $2,000,000 
and an increase to $3,000,000 has been authorized. 
Mr. Rokker, who was Vice-President of the com- 
pany, severed his connection with it and subse- 
quently became President of the Construction Com- 
pany. The Board of Directors of the Railroad 
Company is composed of A. G. Murray, L. S. An- 
derson, Hon. S. S. Barger. H. B. Buck, Esq., and 
several Eastern gentlemen whose names are with- 
held. A. G. Murray is President, L. S. Anderson. 
Acting Secretarj', and II. B. Buck, Treasurer. 

The home of our subject is presided over by an 
intelligent and graceful woman, formerly Miss Flor- 
ence S. Rodeffer, who became his wife April 13, 
1879. She is native of Farmersville, Ohio. The 
happy union has been blessed by the birth of two 
bright sons — Ward Gladstone and Wendell Phil- 
lips. 



\fl AMES A. JACOBS. If it be true that "we 
live in deeds not years," that "he most 
lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, 
acts the best," then has Mr. Jacobs length- 
ened out his life's span to a great extent. The pe- 
rusal of the following brief paragraphs regarding 
his life will indicate wherein he has done well and 
what manner of man he is. His name is well 
known to many of our readers as one of the old 
residents in Loarai Township, now occupying a 
beautiful home on section 24, two and a half miles 
from the village of Loami. 

Daniel and Carlotta Jacobs, the parents of our 
subject, were born respectively in Germany, in 
1795, and in Kentucky, in 1797. They came to 
this section in the fall of 182.3, settling in what was 
afterward known as Loami Township, on a small 



tract of land purchased]] from a lualf-broed. The 
fatiier traveled all the way hither with a four-horse 
team, and the mother rode on horseback, carrying 
one child before her and one behind her. Three 
other children were includcd'in the family at that 
time. There were six more children added which 
made in all eleven, nine girls and two boys, five 
only remaining, four girls and our subject. Their 
names are as follows: Henry W., Mary, Amanda, 
Elizabeth, Martha, James A., Susan, Isabelle, Char- 
lottie. Catherine and Anis. They endured severe 
privations on the road, some of the family even 
suffering from hunger. Our subject well recollects 
the surroundings of his early boyhood and the 
difficulty- which he had in procuring];an education. 
An old log cabin was converted into a schoolhouse 
and seats made out of narrow strips of unhewn tim- 
ber, supported on round wooden pins. There the 
lad sat day after day with his old "blue-back spell- 
ing book," his body growing weary and his mind 
inactive under the monotony'of the occasion. How- 
ever, the disadvantagesj were overcome little by 
little, and he advanced beyond the spelling book, 
and was at length able to find greater ease as his 
stature and physical strength increased. 

Our subject was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary E. Neal, a daughter of John A. and Eliza A. 
(Greene) Neal. They were natives of Kentucky 
and came here in 1829. They had four children, 
but two are now living. The wedding occurred 
October 11, 1855. They are the parents of eight 
children, five of^ whonr^survive, viz: Amanda 
Henry C, Lottie, Alpheus and^John. 

Mr. Jacobs recalls the weary task of grating 
corn by hand for the corn dodgers, that were an 
important article^of food in the piooneer days, and 
also recollects of his father going seventy-five 
miles with a grist of wlieat and his return with the 
preciousjbag of Hour. Ilisfather died October 5, 
1853. Prior to that time our subject had bouo-Iit 
of his brother attract of two hundred acres, on 
time, and had paid off the incumbrance upon it. 
His present farm comprises three hundred and 
sixty acres. After the death of the parent he paid 
for it in full and supported the family', provided 
the younger members with clothes, etc., and look- 
ing after their comfort as a second father. Mr. 



370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Jacobs says that the old adage, '-Where there is a 
will, .there is a way," is a true one, as was amply 
proven in his experience. His aged mother 
breathed her last February 28, 1880, and her mor- 
tal remains were deposited in a cemeter\^ near 
wliere she had long lived. The gentleman of 
whom we write is a stanch believer in Republican 
principles and never fails to support them with his 
vote. 






r^;RANK HUFFAKER was born on the old 
f=^^i Ilnffaker estate, in Loami Township, June 
j^ 26, 1865. He is a fine representative of the 
native-born citizens of Sangamon County and is 
one of its most prominent stockmen. He is per- 
haps one of the most extensive stock-breeders in 
the county, if not in Central Illinois, for his age. 
His specialty is heavj' Percheron horses, and stand- 
ard-bred trotters and saddle-horses. He has a 
large, highly-improved farm in the township men- 
tioned that is perfect in its appointments for stock- 
raising purposes. 

Our subject is a son of Wellington B. Huffaker, 
who was in his time one of the most prominent 
men in the county. He enjo^'ed an extensive ac- 
quaintance throughout Central Illinois through his 
business transactions as one of the largest stock- 
dealers in this part of the State. He was a native 
of Morgan County, and was born in 1830. He 
was in the prime of a vigorous manhood when he 
came to this county in 1855 and located in Loami 
Township. Here he became a leading farmer and 
stock-raiser, and at the time of his death in 1873, 
left an estate of two thousand, seven hundred and 
fifty acres of very valuable land. He not only bore 
a conspicuous part in advancing the material pros- 
perity of the county, but he was active in eleva- 
ting its social and religious status, and at bis death 
ere yet old age had come upon him, his commu- 
nity lost a citizen who could ill be spared and 
whose memory is cherished for wliat he was and 
for what he did. He was for some years a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 



Michael Huffaker, who migrated from Kentucky to 
Illinois in an early day of the settlement of this 
State. He was a prominent farmer and stock- 
dealer, and died in 1877 at the ripe old age of 
eigbty j'cars. The mother of our subject, who bore 
the maiden name of Lou Meachem, was born in 
Waverly, Morgan County, in 1836. She died in 
this county in 1879 at the age of forty-three years. 
She was a zealous Christian woman, and a valued 
member of the Christian Church. Of the seven 
children born of her marriage three are living. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm 
and received his primary education in the local 
district schools. He subsequently entered Illi- 
nois College at Jacksonville, where he remained 
until the close of his junior year. After leaving 
college he turned his attention to farming and 
stock-breeding and is pursuing those branches with 
marked success. He owns nine hundred and forty- 
flve acres of as fine land as can be found in Cen- 
tral Illinois, all Ij'ing in a body and beautifully lo- 
cated on sections 11 and 12, Loami Township. He 
has all the conveniences for carrying on stock-rais- 
ing to the best advantage, including extensive and 
well-fitted up buildings, and for his standard-bred 
horses he has thirty specially arranged box stalls. 
He has two fine imported Percheron stallions and 
about thirty trotting and saddle horses, besides 
from one hundred and fifty to two hundred other 
horses. He takes much pride in his fast horses, 
among which may be mentioned the noted Kansas 
Jack, a pacer with a record of 2:31. He also has 
iialf a dozen trotters with nearly as good records. 
Mr. Huffaker deals extensively in cattle, buying 
and shipping a great many during the year. He 
is a stockholder in the Illinois National Bank at 
Springfield, and is one of the wealthy young men 
of the county. He brings a bright well-trained 
mind to his business. He is possessed of more than 
ordinary foresight and executive ability, and man- 
ages his affairs with the adroitness anil skill of a 
veteran, and stands high among stockmen gener- 
ally. Politically he is a Republican; and socially 
he is a Knight of Pythias and a Modern Woodmen 
of America. 

Mr. Huffaker was married October 9, 1884, to 
Miss Eliza Deweese. Mrs. Huffaker is a native of 




Wl LLIAM BARBRE . 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



373 



this county and a daughter of Samuel S. and Hattie 
(Smith) Deweese, natives of Illinois. Two chil- 
dren have been born to our subject and his wife — 
Louise and Frank. Mr. and Mrs Huffaker have 
one of the most charming and attractive homes in 
the community. Their residence is indeed a pala- 
tial mansion and there is no finer country place in 
the county. It stands on an elevation which has a 
natural slope in every direction and commands a 
beautiful view of the surrounding country. The 
large and well laid out lawn is adorned with eight- 
een varieties of trees, including maple, hickory, 
basswood, hackberry, walnut, etc. 



;4l IfelLLIAM BARBRE. The farm owned and 
\fJli superintended by this gentleman is, all 
\^/^J things considered, the finest in Curran 
Township. It consists of five hundred and five 
acres on sections 14 and 15, whereon every mod- 
ern convenience for the prosecution of farm work 
may be seen. The fine barn is 45xC0 feet, and is 
accompanied by ample granaries and sheds. The 
dwelling is commodious, homelike in appearance, 
and furnished in a manner in keeping with the 
means and tastes of the family that gathers there. 
The land is adorned by fruitful orchards and 
groves of forest and evergreen trees, and every 
field shows the beauty of utility and neatness. The 
estate is two miles from the village of Curran and 
eight from the city of Springfield. 

The father of our subject was Eli Barbre, who 
was liorn in Kentucky, July 25, 1798, and lost his 
father when a boy. His mother afterward married 
a Mr. Combs. The lad was reared in (Ubson and 
Posey Counties, Ind., and when sufficiently ad- 
vanced in years became a farmer. lie was also a 
minister of tlie Baptist Church, doing missionary 
work wherever he liad opportunity. In Posey 
County, about 181!*, he married Xancy Wilkinson, 
a native of Kentuckj', and daughter of William 
Wilkinson, of the Blue Grass State. This union 
resulted in the birth of four children: Isaac, now 
living in Cynthiana, Posey County, Ind.; Char- 



lotte, wife of Wright Miller, living in Portland, 
Ore.; Celia Delilah, formerly wife of Mr.;Smith, 
who died in Menard County, this State; and our 
subject, who is the second child. The mother died 
in Edgar County, this State, in 1828. 

After his removal to this State Eli Barbre farmed 
and preached near Paris until 1835, when he came 
to this county and made his home in Island Grove 
Township, operating land belonging to Thomas 
Ray. Later he went to Salisbur}' and devoted all 
his energy to ministerial labors, then to Clinton, 
DeWitt County, and still later to Mechanisburg. 
His next place of abode was Loarai, and his final 
residence AVaverly, Morgan County, where he died 
in 1846. While living in Edgar County he mar- 
ried his second wife, Ann Wilson, who bore him 
four children. These are Mrs. Sarah E. Withrow, 
whose home is in Yernon County, Mo.; James L., 
a lesident of Curran, this county; John A., whose 
home is in Taylorville, Christian County; and 
Mrs. Mary C. Keller, living in Missouri. 

Tliree members of the family served their coun- 
tr}' during the Civil War. Isaac was a member of 
an Indiana regiment from 18G2 until 1865. He 
served actively until crippled and obliged to enter 
the hospital. John entered an Illinois regiment in 
December, 1863, and fought until the close of the 
war. William joined the Tenth Illinois Cavalry in 
September, 1861, and was mustered in at Camp 
Butler. He was detailed as wagon-master and 
veterinary surgeon, and took twenty-five teams 
and wagons belonging to the regiment to Quincy, 
whence they were shi|)ped to Benton Barracks, Mo. 
lie took part in the battle of Prairie Grove and 
skirmishes from time to time, until sun-struck, 
when he was sent to the hos[)ital and finally dis- 
charged on account of phjsical disability, in June, 
1863. 

William Barbre was born in Posey County, Ind., 
November 10, 1822, and came to this State during 
his boyhood. He was old enough when his father 
removed from Edgar to Sangamon County to 
remember the journey by ox-team and the scenes 
that met his view en route, as well as the life in 
various places while he was growing to manhood. 

He recalls the wolf hunts and other sports of 
those primitive times, and the fact that his father 



»74 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



was a famous hunter. He was early set to work, 
and labored hard at home and abroad as he found 
opportunity, breaking prairie, doing other farm 
work, and getting his first wages for work in a 
brickyard, happy to receive $3 per month. AVhile 
his father was preaching he took care of the family, 
beginning his individual labors as a farmer on the 
Young iilace. Aunt A. Gibson made a big din- 
•ner for liim on the occasion of his corn gathering. 

Mr. Rarbre was married in Curran Township, 
in January, 1845, to Rebecca Smith, a daughter of 
John Smith, whose ancestry is given in the sketch 
of Thomas Smith, on another page of this Alisum. 
He llien located on the farm belonging to Mr. 
Smith, remaining there until after the death of his 
wife and his marriage to liis present companion, 
Lucy M. Smith, a sister of the first Mrs. Barbre. 
This union was consumated February 6, 184;). Mrs. 
Barbre was born in Curran Township, April 17, 
1831, and is well acquainted with the arts by which 
home is made comfortable and happj-. 

In 1851 Mr. Barbre located on the tract he now 
occupies, of which he bought forty acres. This he 
broke and otherwise prepared for crops, adding to 
it until when he entered the army he held a title to 
one hundred and eighty acres. Since his return 
from the battlefields of the South he has still fur- 
ther increased its extent and become the largest 
landowner in the township. The home farm is so 
arranged as to constitute two improved places, and 
Mr. Barbre also owns one hundred and eight acres 
of imiMoved land in Cooper Township, and forty- 
five acres of timber in the same township as his 
home. He gives his principal attention to tlie 
cereals, corn and wlieat, but also raises graded 
horses and cattle, and as high as forty head of 
mules in a season. 

The family of Mr. Barbre includes a daughter, 
'Nancy J., now Mrs. IMcKee, whose home is in 
Nodaway County, Mo., and who was born to his 
first wife. The children of the second marriage are: 
John K., who married Sarah J. Moore, and lives 
on the home farm; Mary, wife of J. A. Trimble, 
living in tlie same townshi[); James W., who resides 
in Springfield ; Thomas F., who died when twenty- 
five years old; George I., who died at the age of 
twenty-three years; Richard S., a resident of 



Springfield; Samuel M., a farmer in Curran Town- 
shii); and Martha C, wife of C. C. Baughman, a 
farmer in Curran Townsiiip. 

Mr. Barbre belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Mt. Zion, was a member of the Building 
Committee, and is now a Trustee. He exercises 
the right of suffrage in behalf of the principles and 
candidates of Prohibition. He is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic. Although not a 
scholar he is a man of ready intelligence, shrewd 
in business, progressive as an agriculturist, and one 
who finds ways in which to be of use to the mem- 
bers of the community. His fellow-citizens hare 
recognized his ability and good judgment by be- 
stowing upon him the office of School Director, in 
which position lie has acted for years. His sons, 
who inherit much of his energy and thrift, are do- 
ing well in the pursuits they have adapted, those 
who are farming aiding him in carr^'ing on his 
large estate. 

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Barbre will be 
found on another page. 

> ILL! AM F. CONSTANT owns and occu- 
pies one of the valuable farms of Williams 
Township, his estate comi)rising three hun- 
dred acres of as fine land as can be found in the 
county. Even in this vicinity, where good farm 
buildings are the rule, and modern conveniences 
abound, theie are few places that in these • regards 
equal the one mentioned. The dwelling is a com- 
modious and beautiful one, pleasing in architectural 
design, built with a view to the comfoi'ts of the in- 
mates and furnished in a manner in keeping with 
their means and tastes. The barn is also large and 
fine, and every arrangement that will conduce to 
the conveniences with which the farm and house- 
hold economy is carried on, may be found upon 
this estate. 

Among the first men to found a home in that 
part of this county which is north of the Sangamon 
River was Thomas Constant, the grandfather of our 
subject. Indians were numerous here when he 
built his log cabin, and wild game was abundant. 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



875 



supplying the tables of the pioneers with their most 
substantial food. Mr. Constant entered land but 
sold his farm in 1836 and engaged in the mercan- 
tile business at Athens, continuing it four years. 
The maternal grandfather, James Stewart, lived to 
an extreme old age, being ninety-four years old 
when the Death Angel called him in 1873. 

Nathan C. Constant, the father of our subject, 
was born in Kentucky, but made the Buckeye State 
his home for some years. In 1820 he removed to 
this county and was one of the first men to settle 
in "Williams Township, where he built a log cabin 
in which he lived for ten years. In 1833 lie was 
married to Mary M. Stewart, daughter of James 
and Koxana (Stillman) Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stewart were natives of New York and Massachu- 
setts respectively, and in the former State their 
daughter vvas born April 6, 1813. She is still liv- 
ing, and although quite aged maintains her interest 
in affairs that are going on about her. For half a 
ccntur}- slie has been a member of the Christian 
Church. Her companion was removed by death in 
1843 at the age of forty-three years. He also be- 
longed to the Church of Christ, as did his parents 
before him. 

Our subject was born in the log house which 
slieltered his parents for several years, his natal daj' 
being February 25, 1838. His early education was 
obtained in a log schoolhouse, where the light was 
admittedthrough greased paper, and the keenness of 
the winter winds mitigated by the blazing logs in a 
large open flrci)laee. When eighteen years old he 
spent one 3'ear in college at Jacksonville, 111., fol- 
lowing which he clerked in Independence, INIo., for 
a twelvemonth. He then began farming on the old 
homestead, where he remained until 1874, when he 
purchased his present farm. In connection with 
tilling the soil Mr. Constant raises hogs and cattle 
in considerable numbers, marketing on an average 
fifty head of cattle and one hundred and fifty hogs 
each year. 

At the home of the bride's parents in this county, 
October 15, 1861, Mr. Constant was united in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Lake. She bore him one child, 
Mary E., who is now deceased. After a happy wed- 
ded life of nearly twenty years, Mrs. Constant took 
her departure from the scenes of time, breathing 



her last August 4, 1881. She wasa member of the 
Christian Church. September 24, 1884, Mr. Con- 
stant was again married, his bride being Parthena 
McDonald, a native of Missouri. This union has 
been blessed by the birth of three children: Lillie, 
who was born June 30, 1885, and isj now de- 
ceased; Clarence K., whose natal day was June 28, 
1888; and an infant Harry F., born August 14, 
1890. 

No member of the community or of the agricul- 
tural class in Williams Township stands higher in 
the opinions of iiis fellow- men than he of whom we 
write. Solid in his financial standing, reliable in 
all his dealings, and intelligent in his judgments, 
he is deserving of the reputation which he bears. 
In politics he is a Republican, and he and his re- 
spected wife belong to the Church of Christ. 

-^ ^-^ «^ 



,^5^ AMUEL M. HARBERT is successfully en- 
^^^ gaged in business as a grain grower and 
^/Jj) stock-raiser, and his farm in Wheatfield 
Township is classed among the most desira- 
ble pieces of property in this part of the county, 
lie was born in 1837 in Tippecanoe County, Ind. 
His parents were Eli and Mary Harbert. His father 
was a shoemaker and a farmer. He died in 1839 
and the mother in 1863, her death occurring in Bar- 
clay'. Sangamon County, she having come to Illinois 
in January, 1840. 

Our subject made his home for many years with 
his grandfather. Dr. James Harbert of Barcla}-, 111., 
who was a practicing physician of great repute and 
through him he gained a wider acquaintance with 
people and places than he could otherwise iiave 
done. He began life for himself as an assistanton 
a farm, and such was his faithfulness and industrj' 
that at the age of twenty-three he was enabled 
to buy eighty acres of land to which he removed 
and entered upon its improvement. In 1867 he 
bought forty acres of land adjoining his first jjur- 
cha^e and now has the whole under a fine state of 
cultivation. He has established here a comfortable 
home, has all the necessary buildings to be found 
on a good farm, and has first-class machinery for 



376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



carrying od his operations. His farm is well-stocked 
with Short-horn cattle, road horses and Berkshire 
hogs of a good grade, and he makes much money 
both in dealing in stock and in his grain sales. 

Mr. Harbert has had the assistance of a thor- 
oiighl}' competent and energetic wife in the accum- 
ulation of Ills property. They were wedded Deccm- 
lier 2.5, 1862, and of their happy married life four 
cliildren have come. Their son John is a resident 
of Denver, Col. ; their daughter Anna is the wife 
of William Clendennin and their daughter Ada 
who attends school is at home. One child, Ida 
died in infancy. Mrs. Ilarberl's name before her 
marriage was Serilda Miller, and she is a native of 
this county. She received an excellent training in 
housework and is a good housekeeper, making the 
home cozy and comfortable for its inmates. 

For thirty-three years Mr. Harbert has been a 
devoted member of the Christian Church, and he 
is known as one of its most zealous workers and 
for his sturdy adherence to princii)le in all the af- 
fairs of life. He is a charter member of the Illiopo- 
lis Masonic lodge which was established in 1866; 
he has been a Mason for thirty-two j'ears being one 
of the oldest iMasons in this section of the country-. 
He has been a School Trustee for the last twelve 
years, has been Township Treasurer, and in what- 
ever capacity he serves the puljlic ho strives to pro- 
mote its social and moral elevation as well as its 
material advancement. 




ERDINAND YOUNG. A traveler through- 
out this count}' will see many beautiful 
homes where evidences of good taste and a 
desire to get the best from life are plainly mani- 
fest, and will be led to the conclusion that even our 
farmers are not devoid of culture and refinement. 
Among the manj- attractive residences that dot the 
expanse of Mechanicsburg Township, that of Fer- 
dinand Young is deserving of notice. It is a 
modern edifice with a perfection of detail equal to 
any city dwelling, having the adjuncts of jiorticoes 
acd stained glass doors, and the conveniences of 
closets and all interior fittings tliat make it an ele- 



gant place. It was erected in 1889, and stands in 
the midst of a tract of land that, if not so exten- 
sive as many farms in the township, is thoroughly 
tilled and carefully handled. 

Mr. Young is one of the foreign-born citizens 
whose thrift and industry add to the worth of the 
community and the value of property in this great 
commonwealth. He was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, April 7, 1841, and is a son of John and 
Mary Young who lived and died in the land of 
their birth. In 1863 our subject came across the 
briny deep, believing that a broader life awaited 
him in the New World than was possible in the 
countries centuries old. He landed in New York, 
and having learned the trade of a barber, went to 
St. Louis, Mo., where he worked as a tonsorial 
artist. 

Feeling an interest in the preservation of the 
Union and convinced that the cause of the North 
was just, Mr. Young entered the army as a member 
of Company A, Twelfth Missouri Cavalr}'. He 
served with credit in the campaigns against Vicks- 
burg, Little Rock and Nashville, and took part in 
many of the fiercest battles of the entire struggle. 
At the close of the war he was sent with a detach- 
ment to fight Indians, continuing to aid the country 
until April, 1866, when he received an honorable 
discharge. 

After being mustered out of the army Mr. Young 
came to this county and made a purchase of fort}' 
acres of the land he now occupies. He settled 
down to the pursuit of agriculture, ere long adding 
another forty acres to his real estate. He has sur- 
rounded himself with various appliances for the 
proper development of the soil and the storing of 
the products of his toils, and has above all else, 
made preparations for the comfort of his household 
and their enjoyment. 

At the head of the home economies is a lady of 
refinement who became the wife of our subject 
Ma}' 1, 1871. She was known in her maidenhood 
as Catherina Elizabeth Heiuamann and was born in 
1842. The congenial union has been blessed by the 
birth of four daughters and one son, as follows: 
Anna Maria, born February 14, 1872: Mary Mag- 
delena, July 24, 1874; Carl Henry, born December 
17, 1877. died May 13, 1888; Mary Elizabeth, born 





€2^e^ do> 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



379 



January 6, 1881; rikI Emma Martha, Marcli 25. 
1884. They are intelligent children, with a natural 
love for books and are obedient and industrious. 
Every effort is beino^ made bj' their parents to sup- 
ply them with reading and other means by which 
tiieir characters will be perfected and they fitted 
for careers of usefulness and honor. 

Mr. Young commemorates his life as a soldier by 
liis connection with the Grand Army of the Re- 
public, and at the camp-fires lives over the scenes 
of strife and excitement whose recounting stirs 
the blood of every old soldier. He belongs to the 
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. The right 
of suffrage is exercised by him in favor of the 
principles of the Republican party and the candi- 
dates who are pledged to support them. His most 
striking traits are the hearty good-will and the jol- 
lity of one who is determined to make life pleasant 
to himself and others, enjoying the good tilings it 
can furnish and seeing the silver lining in every 
cloud. 

RS. JEANIE McKENZIE BUTLER nee 
Arnold. The fine farm whereon this 
lady resides comprises a part of section 4, 
Woodside Township, and is one of the 
most attractive and valuable pieces of property near 
S|iringfield. The estate consists of two hundred 
acres, wlieieon ever}' needful and convenient farm 
building has been erected, orchards and groves 
|)lanted, and in short, everything done which will 
increase its value and enhance the comfort of the 
f.imily occupying it. The residence is a commo- 
dious brick structure of pleasing architectural de- 
sign, furnished in a manner in keeping with the 
means and refined tastes of its owner, and present- 
ing a homelike appe.irance, highly attractive to the 
passer-by. 

The father of Mrs. Butler was Ebenezer C. Ar- 
nold, a resident of Taunton, Mass., and a literary 
man of considerable prominence. Her mother was 
.leanie O. Wilson, who died in Milwaukee, Wis., in 
1870. Our subject is iheir only child, who lived to 
years of maturity. She was born in Ponghkoepsie, 
N. Y., and was quite young when her parents re- 




moved to Milwaukee, Wis. There she grew to 
womanhood, obtaining a fine education, and grow- 
ing in the graces of disposition and bearing which 
might be expected from her lineage. May 26, 
1865, she became the wife of Col. Speed Butler, 
whose portrait is a valued addition to this volume, 
and who was a son of the late William and Eliza- 
beth (Richard) Butler. William Butler was a warm 
personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, and it was 
from his house that iAL-. Lincoln went when he was 
married. William Butler died in January, 1876, 
his wife having preceded him to the silent land, 
breathing her last in 18G9. 

Col. Speed Butler was the second of the two 
children born to his parents and opened his eyes to 
the light in Springfield, August 7, 1837. He took 
up the study of the law and was a student in the 
office of Abraham Lincoln. He was admitted to the 
bar and practiced in Springfield until he entered 
the army soon after Ft. Sumter was fired upon. He 
was commissioned Captain in the Commissary De- 
partment and was afterward promoted to be Major 
of the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry. Such i^eculiar 
qualifications did he display, that by a special act 
oT Congress he was appointed a Colonel in the regu- 
lar arm}'. He served on the staff of Gen. John 
Pope from the time of his enlistment until the close 
of the war. 

AVhen peace was declared between the North and 
the South, Col. Butler returned to Springfield and 
ere long engaged in developing a coal mine in 
Woodside Township. He was thus occupied until 
his death, which occurred at his residence, April 8, 
1885. He took a decided interest in political af- 
fairs, and was a zealous worker in the Republican 
party. He held a prominent position among the 
men of the State, as is seen by the reference to the 
volume, "Prominent Men of Illinois," wherein bis 
life and character are spoken of in fitting words of 
commendation. He could illy be spared by his 
State, to which his work as lawyer, soldier and citi- 
zen had given an added lustre. Verily, "Death 
loves a shining mark." 

Col. and Mrs. Butler became the parents of three 
children — Annie Louise, Jeanie Elizabeth and Ar- 
nold Wilson. The first-born was graduated from 
the Bettie Stuart Institute, and married George 



380 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Loose. She died at Hot Springs, Ark., March 30, 
1890. The surviving daughter and son are edu- 
cated, cultured and refined, fit companions for tlieir 
charming mother, and worthy of the place they fill 
in the best society of Springfield and the surround- 
ing country. Their deceased father was a man who 
drew about him a circle of bright minds, and their 
mother has always added her wit and refinement 
to tlie attractions of tlie home, and thus the chil- 
dren were ever accustomed to the wisdom and cul- 
ture that is itself an educating influence. 

^— '* *' ^ * S ' l[ ' S * ^"' *** — ' 




DWIN J. SMITH, though one of the young- 
est members of the farming community in 

this county, has already established himself 

on a firm financial basis, and bids fair to become one 
of the leading stock-growers of Island Grove Town- 
ship, wliere he is already heavily engaged in that 
branch of business. He was born Januarys, 1869, 
in Island Grove Township, and is a sou of Thomas 
E. and Elizabeth Smith, natives respectively of 
Kentucky and Virginia. His father resides in Sa- 
vannah, Mo., where he is engaged in the banking 
business. He is a man of wealth and consideration 
in that State, and is one of the large landowners 
of the country, owning large tracts of land in Illi- 
nois, as well as in Missouri. 

Edwin Smith is the only son of his parents. He 
was educated in the college at Alton, 111., and 
at Brown's Commercial College, Jacksonville, where 
lie pursued a tiiorough business course. After 
leaving college he entered upon his career as a far- 
mer and stock-raiser. He brings a vigorous, well- 
tr;iincd intellect to liis work, and everything points 
toM promising future. His farm lies on section 14, 
Ishmd Grove Township, four and one-half miles 
friim New Berlin, and is finely equipped for every 
purpose to wliich it is devoted. He is making a 
specialty of fine Short-horn cattle, and is conduct- 
ing quite a large stock business, his farm being ad- 
mirably adapted to that line of agriculture. The 
buildings on his place are of a substantial order, 
.lie conveniently arranged, and among them is his 
handsome and statel}' residence where he erected in 



1889. The plans were of his own designing and 
its architecture compares with the best in the town- 
shii). 

Mr. Smith was united to the young lady who 
presides over his beautiful home, October 23, 1889, 
their wedding taking place in Cartwright Town- 
ship. His bride was born in that township Feb- 
ruary 14, 1867, and her maiden name was Emma 
Leaverton. Her father, who died when she was 
very young, was a wealthy man and was the owner 
of a large tract of valuable land of over one thou- 
sand acres situated in Cartwright and Island Grove 
Townships. Mr. Smith, is a bright, wide-awake 
young man, is of fine personal character, and is 
gifted with those genial, social qualities that make 
him popular among his associates and the commu- 
nity at large, which popularity is shared by his 
amiable wife. Our subject is keenl)' interested in 
politics, and is an ardent advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. A son, Leslie E., born September 14, 

1890, has come to brighten their home. 

- — i^m- — 



(t? EANDER A. GATES, one of the early 
I (© settlers of Central Illinois, residing on sec- 
jlL^^ tion 32, Auburn Township, was born in 
this county, October 8, 1846, of German descent. 
His grandfather Michael Gates, was born in Lan- 
caster County, Pa., January 30, 1776. At the age 
of three years he was taken by his parents to Salis- 
bury, N. C, where he married Catherine Groves 
and then removed to Kentucky. In 1830 he came 
with his family to Sangamon County, 111., where he 
entered land and followed farming. He was a fine 
mechanic but also made a success as an agricultur- 
ist. His death occurred in 1848, and his wife died 
the following year. 

Their son Andrew, father of our subject, was born 
in Muhlenberg County, K}^, January 17, 1807, 
and with his father learned the mechanic's trade. 
He came in an ox-cart to this county in 1831, and 
for a time worked as a farm hand, after which he 
rented land and later entered a large tract on sec- 
tion 32, Auburn Township, devoting himself to 
grain and stock-raising. That was during the early 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



381 



days of tlie history of Central Illinois, when tliey 
went to market at St. Louis and Alton and bore 
many other such hardshi|)S; but Mr. (jra*.es pros- 
pered and became the owner of seven hundred acres 
of line land, together with some town property in 
Virden. He retired to private life in 1881, and 
died at the home of his daughter in March, 1882. 
He supported Democratic principles, was a member 
of the German Baptist Church and lived a consist- 
ent Christian life. His wife Lucinda (Wood) 
Gaies, was born in Madison County, 111., and is a 
daughter of William Wood who was born in Knox 
County, Tenn., in 1794, and in the early part of 
this century settled in Madison County, where in 
1814 h'e married Polly Cox. Four years later they 
came to this county and in Auburn Township he 
followed farming for many years. He served as 
scout during the Black Hawk War and is numbered 
among the honored pioneer settlers of the com- 
munity. His last years were spent in Texas. After 
his death his vvife returned to Illinois and here died. 
Mrs. Andrew Gates, mother of our subject, makes 
her home in Virden with herdaughter Mrs. Baldwin. 
She U a member of the Baptist Chureh. Many in- 
cidents of interest concerning pioneer life she can 
relate as its trials and difficulties were not unknown 
to her. 

Our subject is one of a family of twelve children 
six of whom grew to maturity: Mrs. Catherine A. 
Organ, of Virden; Andrew J., who died on the 
homestead farm in November, 1876; Mary E,. Mrs. 
Baldvvin, of Virden; Leander Alvin; Lucinda E., 
wife of A. J. Leutz of Virden, and Sarah F., who 
became the wife of E. B. Stonecipher and died in 
Auburn Township in 1879. 

Our subject supi)lemented his common-school 
education by a year's course of study in the Hed- 
iling Seminary, of Abingdon, 111., and one year 
spent in the High School of Virden. Teaching was 
then the means which he employed to secure a live- 
lihood. For Ave years he followed that profession 
in Sangamon County, and in the summer followed 
farming, but he savv that he must choose either one 
or the other and devote himself entirely to that 
work. He became possessed of forty acres of the 
old homestead and devoted his entire energies to 
agricultural [lursuits. So well did he [irosper that 



at the time of his marriage he owned two hundred 
and forty acres of land. On the 20th of Septem- 
ber, 1876, he was united in the holy bonds of mat- 
rimony with Miss Emma A. Brown, daughter of 
Archibald and Mary (Hardin) Brown, natives of 
Virginia, who removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, 
in an early day. By their deaths she was left an 
orphan at the age of three years and adopted by 
David C. and Rebecca (Fletcher) Brown. Mr. 
Brown a native of Kentucky-, a blacksmith by trade, 
came to Sangamon Count3' where he married and 
then removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, where he 
lived until 1866. Returning to Illinois he located 
in Virden where he died September 28, 1872. His 
wife a native of Todd County, Ky., was brought by 
her father John Fletcher, to this county in 1830. 
She survived her husband some years and was 
called home in 1888. 

Mrs. Gates was born in Fairfieldj Iowa, June 16, 
1857, and with her foster parents came to Y'l'den, 
III., in 186G. She was educated in the high school 
of that place, is a lady of superior mental ability, 
culture and refinement, whose influence is shown in 
her children. She graces the home over which she 
presides, and her love of the beautiful is displayed 
in its many adornments. The family consists of 
Mv. and Mrs. Gates and four children — Nellie L., 
Clara Bessie, Daisy B. and Marshall E. 

After his marriage Mr. Gates and his bride took 
a trip to the Centennial at Philadelphia, Niagara 
Falls and many of the-Eastern cities, visiting his- 
torical scenes anti places of interest. On his return 
he gave himself up entirely to farming and in 1877 
purchased his present home upon which ho has 
made many improvements placing the entire acre- 
age under cultivation. The grounds are nicely 
arranged, adorned with beautiful groves, among 
the many improvements is a fine orchard, and 
Sugar Creek furnishes an abundant supply of 
water. The well tilled fields comprising four hun- 
dred acres of land yield to him a good income and 
his possessions also include some town property in 
Virden. He makes a specialty of stock raising, has 
on hand some two hundred head of Poland- 
Ciiina hogs, feeds several car-loads of Shorthorn 
cattle annually and raises about forty head of 
horses. His life lias bce.i (characterized by industry, 



882 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 




puncluality and honesty, which traits always insure 
success and he has prospered abundantly. In the 
office of Clerk of the iScliool Board lie has served 
his fellow townsmen for nine years. He is Vice- 
President of West Grove Lodge, F. M. B. A., and a 
Democrat in politics. Mrs. Gates holds member- 
ship in the Presbyterian Church. 



'%M RS. LAURA H. OLCOTT, wiio resides on 
section 21, Rochester Township, lias for 
almost a quarter of a century made her 
home in this county, having removed from 
New Hampshire to Illinois in 18G7. She was born 
on tlie IGlh of September, 183.5, in Readsboro, Vt., 
and is a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Carley) 
Holbrook, the former a native of Richland, N. H., 
and the latter of Windham County, Vt. Up- 
on their marriage they settled in Wliitingham, Vt., 
where Mr. Holbrook engaged in farming until his 
death. His wife also died at that place. 

Mrs. Olcott is the eldest of their twelve chil- 
dren and the days of her maidenhood were spent in 
the Green Mountain State, where siie formed the 
acquaintance of .James H. Olcott. He sought her 
hand in marriage and on the 8th of March, 1860, 
they were united in the hoi}' bonds of matrimony. 
Mr. Olcott was horn August 1, 1832, in West 
Swanzey, N. II., and was a son of James and Me- 
liiida (Holbrook) Olcott. They began their do- 
mestic life in West Swanzey where for seven years 
they made tiieir home, coming to Sangamon 
County, 111., in 18G7. They settled in Ruches- 
ter Township where IMr. Olcott devoted himself 
to farming until his death wiiich occurred Novem- 
ber 15, 1881. He owned two hundred and fifty 
acres of rieli farming land and in pursuit of his 
chosen business acquired a good income which 
anipl}' sup|)lied the wants of himself and family-. 
He gave little attention to public affairs, unless he 
could aid in tlie advancement of some enterprise 
which would prove of benefit to the conimunity, 
liut devoted iiiniself to liis home and family. He 
never sought political office but quietly went his 
way, attending to his business interests and win- 



ning friends by his genial and courteous manner. 
Five children were left to mourn his loss — Charles 
J., who married Miss Flora Johnson ; Rufus W., 
Herbert H., Carrie N. and Bertha M. The mother 
and her children still reside upon the old home 
farm where they are surrounded by the comforts 
and many of the luxuries of life. Her children 
represent the third generation in a family that is 
noted for its abstinence from tlie use of tobacco or 
any stimulant, and to this fact she attributes the 
general good health of her family, having never 
had occasion to call in a [ihysician. She is a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church, lives a consistent life 
and is an ardent worker in the temperance cause. 
She holds membership in the Women's Christian 
Temijerance Union and was instrumental in organ- 
izing the Loyal Legion, a temperance society for 
children. Laboring incessantly in this work with 
the good of the communitj' at heart she deserves 
no little success for the work she has performed. 




ILLIAM MAXWELL. The subject of this 
sketch may be truly classed as one of the 
old settlers of New Berlin Township, as he 
was born six miles north of the village. May 4, 
1831. He was for some time numbered among the 
agriculturists of the county and in prosecuting his 
farm work was very industrious, progressive in his 
ideas, and readj- to take advantage of every turn 
of the lide to improve his circumstances. After 
spending some time in other occupations he became 
the proprietor of the New Berlin elevator and as a 
member of the firm of Maxwell & Batt}", is now 
carrying on an extensive grain trade. 

Elias and Sally Maxwell, the i)arents of our sub- 
ject, were born in Greene County, Ohio, a short 
distance from Xenia. The father came to this 
county in 1829, before the "big snow," and made a 
location in Island Grove Township, which after his 
arrival contained five men. He entered five hun- 
dred acres of land, and after sojourning here a 
short time, returned to Greene County, Ohio. He 
relinquished a\i but forty acres of his claim, but 
when he came again to Illinois entered other tracts 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



383 



until he became the possessor of three hundred and 
sixty acres. This he held at the time of his death, 
which occurred thiity-seven years ago, when lie was 
forty-seven years of age. 

Mr. Elias Maxwell was married three times and 
of the issue of the first marriage three children are 
now living, our subject being the second in order 
of birth. Among the labors performed l)y Mr. 
Maxwell in advancing the settlement of this s( c- 
tion of Illinois, was his connection with the con- 
struction of what is now the Wabash Railroad, for 
which he bad a contract to furnish stringers. lie 
was a man of exemplar}' habits, never drank any 
whiskey nor chewed any tobacco. In politics ho 
was an old-line Whig. He was a man of deeii re- 
ligious faitl), belonging to the Christian Church. 

After the death of his fatlier, our subject re- 
mained with his stepmother for some time, control- 
ling and managing the estate, and after tiie land 
was divided, began for himself on forty acres, 
wiiich since the division of townships, is included 
in New Berlin Township. His entire capital, out- 
side of the land, was a two-horse wagon, and in- 
domitable will, good habits and natural ability. 
For tluee years he prosecuted the vocation of a 
farmer in this county, then went to McLean County, 
where he broke prairie for three years, receiving 
S3. 50 and 84 per acre for his work. He pnrciiased 
eighty acres of land in that county, but sold it and 
returned to his native county in 1852. 

October 27 of that year Mr. Maxwell w.as united 
in marriage with Hannah Batty, the wedding rites 
being solemnized at the bride's home in old Berlin 
Township. Our subject and wife have had nine 
children born to tliem of whom four only survive, 
namely: Elizabeth E., Mary B., Bessie D., and 
Richard E. The girls are at home, the son lives 
in New Berlin. The young cou|)le kept a lioarding- 
house in New Berlin for a short time, but the healtli 
of Mrs. Maxwell failing, they abandoned the en- 
terprise. When the Civil War broke out Mr. 
Maxwell expressed a strong inclination to enter the 
service, being imbued with a fervid spirit of pat- 
riotism, but upon being examined he was rejected 
on account of having a defective limb. He then 
concluded to go to Idaho Territor}' and for three 
years he worked in the gold mines, returning home 



in 1864 with $2,600 in gold dust, etc. At Salt 
Lake City he converted this into greenbacks, re- 
ceiving in exchange $2.50 for each $1 he had in 
dust. 

Arriving at his home in the fall Mr. Maxwell 
secured the position of Assistant Agent at the Wa- 
bash depot in the village and after officiating in 
that capacity for two years, built the New Berlin 
elevator for the sum of $6,000. He now owns a 
two-thirds interest, while his brother-in-law has the 
remaining one-third. The partners hare recently 
put up a magnificent office, as their trade which 
extends over a large area of country, warrants 
them in supplying themselves with the best of olBce 
fittings and the most convenient arrangements for 
transacting their business. 

Mr. Maxwell possesses the shrewdness and aliility 
which belonged to his father before him, and has 
made his business life a success bj' his labor and 
enterprise in all of his undertakings. Upright in 
his dealings, he has the confidence of the entire 
community and a business re[)utation second to 
none. Mr. Maxwell has been a Mason for thirt}-- 
three years. He is a Republican in politi(;s. He 
is a believer in the principles of Christianity and 
identified with the Christian Church at Old Berlin. 



^ 



:?r- 



ul l»/ILLIAM SHUMATE, who resides on sec- 
\r\j// tion 28, Gardner Township, has for fifty- 
^^/sfl six years been a resident of Sangamon 
County. Widely known throughout the commu- 
nity he has made many friends who will be glad to 
read this sketch of his life work in the histor}- of 
his adopted county. 

His father, Berryman Shumate, was born in Fau- 
quier County. Va.. and made farming his life occu- 
pation. He served in the War of 1812, and at the 
close of that struggle in 1814 started westward, 
proceeding by wagon to Wheeling, W. Va., 
whence he made his waj' down the Ohio River to 
Kentuckj-. He had not long been a resident of 
that State when he went to Garrard County, where 
he was stricken with yellow fever and died, leaving 
six small children to the care of the widowed 



384 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



mother. Her maiden name was Eliza Nelson, and 
she was also a native of Fauquier County, Va. .She 
faithfully cared for her children, providing for their 
wants and working for their interests, and at length 
died in 1882 while at a cousin's farm. The chil- 
dren of the family were Polly, who died in Ken- 
tucky at the age of eighteen years: Nancy, who be- 
came the wife of Thomas Duvale and died in Knox 
County; Mrs. Eliza Rice, who died in Kansas; 
Lydia, wife of George Trimble, died in Sangamon 
County, 111.; William, of this sketch; and Hiram, 
who died while crossing the plains to California in 
1851. 

Our subject was born in Fauquier County, Va., 
near Dumfries, iu a hewed log house, the date be- 
ing August 3, 1810. When a lad of four summers 
he was taken by his parents to Kentucky. Being 
left an orphan at the age of twelve years he went 
to live witli Billy Bridges, with whom he remained 
until about 1830. The year in which he attained 
to man's estate he returned to Prince Williams 
County, Va., driving a team across tiie mountains. 
The scholastic training which he received in liis 
youth was very limited, the opportunities being 
such as were afforded in the log schoolhouses of 
those days with their puncheon floors, slab seats and 
oil [lapcr windows. At the age of seventeen ho 
was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, which 
he followed at intervals for seven years, but not 
liking the business nor finding himself adapted to 
it he at length gave his attention entirely to other 
pursuits. 

In 1835, in Kentucky, Mr. Shumate was united 
in marriage with Miss Matilda Bridges, a native of 
that State, and a daughter of James Bridges, who 
was born in Virginia. After four or five years 
residence in Kentucky Mr. Shumate and his family 
removed to Illinois. In eomp.-iny with Messrs. 
McGinnis, Gibson and Forest he drove hogs to 
Alton, selling the same to the overseer of the peni- 
tentiary. They were the first ones to drive hogs 
through to St. Louis, and he also shipped the first 
hogs over the Jacksonville & Naples Railroad. He 
first visited Sangamon County, III., in 1834, and 
the following year he made a settlement in Lake 
Creek Township, which was then the home of 
about eight families. He has journeyed over many 



miles of this country on horseback while driving 
hogs to market or engaged in other business enter- 
prises. As before stated he crossed the mountains 
from Kentucky to Virginia and also traveled in 
that way to Illinois. In 1835 he rode to Knox 
County, 111., to collect a debt, and in 1838 made a 
trip on horseback to Missouri to view the land, 
thinking it probable thai he would locate claims in 
that section. In all his journeyings, which of 
course led him over miles of wild country where 
danger threatened on ever3' hand, he never carried 
a pistol, and only once did he have occasion to use 
one, being then attacked by a dog. 

In 1853 Mr. Shumate purchased the old Ford 
farm of one hundred and fort}' acres on Sugar 
Creek, paying about $15 per acre, which for three 
years remained his home, when in 1856 he sold out 
for ^32 per acre. He then bought his present farm, 
paying So, 650 lor two hundred and twenty-six 
acres of partially improved land. He broke the 
soil, planted crop's, added many improvements and 
in a short time was reaping a good income as the 
reward of his labors. He has since sold twenty- 
six acres of that amount and given two acres right 
of way to the railroad. A nice residence, good 
barns and outbuildings stand as monuments to his 
thrift and industry, while an orchard and grove 
add to the beauty of the scene. As a stock-dealer 
he has made hogs his specialtj' and his shipments in 
that line have been quite extensive. 

Mr. Shumate was a second time married on tiio 
20th of December, 1847, in Greene Count}-, 111., tlie 
lady of his choice being Miss Mary Kincaid, 
daughter of William T. Kincaid who w.as born in 
Carlisle County. Pa. Her grandfather, Archibald 
Kincaid, was born in Ireland, and at an early day 
went to Pennsylvania, where for some time he 
filled the office of Surveyor. He was a well-edu- 
cated man, a prominent citizen and an influential 
member of society. In the early history of Ken- 
tucky lie removed with his family to that State 
whore he developed two farms. In 1821 he came 
to Illinois, making a location in Greene County, 
where he entered large tr.acts of land. He was a 
Presbyterian elder and a gentleman of most wor- 
thy character whose loss the community deeply 
mourned. The father of Mrs. Shumate remained 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



385 



m Penns3'lvani!i until twelve years of age when hu 
accompanied his family to Kentucky where he was 
mairied. He served in the War of 1812, and par- 
ticipated in the battle of Tippecanoe under Gen. 
Harrison. In 1818 he brought his wife and cliij- 
dren to Illinois, which became a State in that 3car 
and entered land in Sinclair County. He was a 
man of great energy and of resolute purpose, and 
whatever he undertook was sure to accomplish. In 
connection with general farming he carried on 
stock-raising and w.as very successful in the under- 
taking. In the fall of 1822 he removed to Greene 
County, where he improved a large farm, becom- 
ing one of the substantial citizens of the commu- 
nity. He was first a Whig and afterwards a 
Republican in politics, and in religious belief was a 
Presbyterian. He died in June, 1876, at the ripe 
old age of ninety years. His wife was born in 
Virginia and her father served in the Revolution- 
ary War. He owned a number of slaves and about 
1818 removed to Pike Comity, Mo., where his last 
days were spent. 

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kin- 
caid — John M., a resident of Texas; Andrew K., 
who died in Galena, III.; Archibald, who died in 
Greene County; Mrs. Sallie Mitchell, of Greene 
Countj'; Mary, wife of our subject; Jemima and 
Eliza, who died in Greene County; Mrs. Gabrilia 
Reeves, of Greene County; Willia(n L., who served 
in an Illinois regiment about three years during 
the late war and is now living In Greene County. 
John M. was also in tlie late war for about tin-ee 
years. 

Mrs. Shumate was born in Sinclair County, 
about twelve miles from St. Louis, September 17, 
1822, and when two months old was brought to 
Greene County, 111. The children of Mr. Shu- 
mate's family were an infant and James William 
who died in early life; John, a carpenter, of Siiring- 
Beld; Nancy, who became the wife of D. Tripp and 
died in this county ; Lucy, who is married and lives 
in Montana; Rosa, wife of George Gregorj', of 
Gardner Township; Jennie, at home; Mrs. Gabrilia 
Mudd, of Montana; and Mattic and Maggie, at 
home. 

Mr. Shumate is a representative of the honored 
pioneers of Sangamon County, where for more 



than half a century lie has made his home. Only 
two of his old neighbors of those early days are yet 
living. He has witnessed the growth of the county, 
has aided not a little in its development, and man- 
ifested an interest in its enterprises. He takes a 
deep interest in educational matters and has served 
.IS School Director. In political sentiment he was a 
Democrat until the firing upon of Ft. Sumter 
and seeing that the South was resolved on carrying 
out its plans if possible, he joined the ranks of the 
new Republican party with which he has since affil- 
iated. He became one of its stanch supporters 
and was a warm friend of President Lincobi, whom 
he has often seen at his home in this county. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Christian Church, 
of Springfield. 



bAAVRENCE TICKNOR was during his life 
a prominent and well-knCwn farmer of 
Macon County, this State, and his death 
was a severe blow to its interests. He was a native 
of Morgan County, born there in pioneer days in 
the year 1834. His parents, Olney and Mary Tick- 
nor, were natives respectively of New York and 
Connecticut. They came to Illinois in 1830 and 
were early settlers of Morgan County, locating 
near Jacksonville, then a village. His father was 
a farmer and he and his wife lived to a good old 
age on the old iiomcstead that had been developed 
from the wilderness. 

Lawrence Ticknor vvas reared on a farm and 
though he had but limited school advantages was 
an excellent scholar and a widely read man. lie 
began life for himself as a farmer in his native 
county and carried on that occupation there twelve 
years. In 1867 he bought the farm in Niantic 
Township, M.icon County, which he owned at his 
death. It consisted of two hundred and foity 
acres of land, and he converted it into a model 
farm. His methods of conducting agriculture were 
always of the best, and he lived the life of an ideal 
farmer, proud of his farm, proud of his fine stock 
and of his home. His assiduous devotion to his 
business impaired his health and he went to Call- 



386 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



foinia, accompanied by his devoted wife, lioping to 
be re-invigorated b}' the climate of the Pacific 
Slope. His wishes were not to be realized, as his 
daj's were numliered and lie closed his ej-es in death 
while there, in 1887. His bod}- was brought to 
his old iionie for burial and he was tenderly laid to 
rest by the loving hands of friends in Mauvaisterre 
cemetery. Morgan County, 111. 

Mr. Ticknor was a man of deeply religious nature 
and at tiie age of seventeen he joined the Christian 
Church, and throughout his life was never remiss in 
his Christian duty and gave libeially of his worldly 
store to the cause. He was a potent factor in the 
upbuilding of the church and was a regular atten- 
dant at divine services. He squared his life bj' 
the rules of the New Testament and thus made it 
a model for the young. He is spoken of as a man 
of honor and Christian character, who was influen- 
tial for good in his community. 

Our subject and Miss Ednor Elinor Jones were 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony' December 
21, 1856. Mrs. Ticknor is also a native of Morgan 
County, and her ancestors were from tiie South. 
She joined the church in earlj' girlhood, was a meet 
cooipanion for her husband in religious life, and 
their hands and hearts were always open to the" 
demands of charity. Our subject and his wife had 
no children of their own, but in the kindness of 
their hearts they adopted two orphans, a brother 
and sister, in their childhood, and reared them as 
tenderly and carefully as if they were of their own 
blood. After her husband's death. Mrs. Ticknor 
removed to Illiopolis and bought a cozy home and 
here she is living, surrounded by the respect and 
esteem of the entire community. 



^ 



z^ 




feHOMAS CORRELL. Among the many men 
who are found in this county peacefully 

' passing down the hill of time, secure in the 
esteem of their acquaintances and able to look 
back over long years of usefulness and industry, 
none are more worthy of representation in a vol- 
ume of this nature than Thomas Correll. He has 
passed his four-score years, but his mind is clear and 



vigorous, making his conversation delightful to all 
who enjoy the story of personal experience. He 
delights in recounting the scenes and incidents 
through which he has passed in amassing a compe- 
tence, and in telling of the differences between the 
olden times and the present. 

The birthplace of Mr. Correll w.as Harrison 
County, Ky., and his natal d.ij- January 18, 1808. 
He was the second son born to Levi and Mary 
(Hickland) Correll, whose family included six 
children. Both parents were born in New Jersey. 
Our subject grew to maturity in the Blue Grass 
State, acquiring as thorough an education as the 
advantages of the time and place allowed, and 
gaining wisdom regarding the work in which he 
w.as to take part and the principles by which his life 
should be governed. 

October 7, 1830, Mr. Correll and Sally McDaniell, 
a native of Clark County, Ky., were joined in the 
holy bonds of wedlock. The same fall they came 
to this county and now, after sixty years of life 
together, still occupy the site of their early settle- 
ment. They are enjoying that ease and comfort 
which are a due reward for their thrift and pru- 
dence, and which all who are acquainted with their 
lives rejoice in seeing. Beginning on a capital of 
$100, they have acquired a sufficient amount of 
this world's goods to insure them against want and 
permit them to take the part which the}' desire in 
relieving the distresses of others who are less for- 
tunate than they. 

The record of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Correll is as follows: jMargaret is the wife of Edwin 
Touilin, one of the most prominent and progress- 
ive men of the county, and the mother of a family 
of interesting children; William Fletcher is the 
subject of a biographical sketch in this Album; 
Simpson is now numbered among the wealthy citi- 
zens of Illiopolis; Warren H. also lives in this 
county; Cornelius is a resident of Missouri; John 
lives near the old homestead; Levi is unmarried 
and still occupies his wonted place at the parental 
fireside; Fanny is the wife of the Hon. Isaac 
Funk, of Bloomington, one of the leading citizens 
of the State. 

When he became old enough to exercise the right 
of suffrage, Mr. Correll identified himself with the 



Jt^, 




DANIEL M OR GAM 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



389 



Whig part}'. In later years lie became a Democrat. 
For half a century he lias been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Correll belongs 
to an old and prominent famil3-, and "Aunt Sally" 
is noted for her charity, devotion and hospitality. 
The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Correll was 
the occasion of a grand celebration, never to be 
forgotten b}' those who were present. Verily, of 
this couple it may be said, " their last 3'ears are 
their best years," and age has not lessened their 
influence for good over all with whom they come 
in contact. 




Daniel morgan. Among the farmers 
of Mechanicsburg Township none are Iietter 
known than the Morgan family, they be- 
ing among the oldest settlers now living, 
and belonging to the class to whose efforts is due 
the present advanced development of this section. 
Daniel Morgan, whose portrait on the opposite |)agc 
represents a prominent pioneer, began his labors 
here while still but a boy and saw the country 
around him grow in evidences of civilization as he, 
liiniself, grew in years and strength. Where once 
his eyes beheld an almost unbroken expanse of 
primeval forests and swelling prairies he now sees 
fruitful orchards, broad grainfields and thriving 
towns, the whole bound together by good highways 
and the steel bands which link together the most 
distant boundaries of the State. 

Our subject is the fourth in a family of thirteen 
children born to Charles and Elizabeth (Constant) 
Morgan. His father was a native of Virginia but 
became a resident in Kentucky when quite young. 
He removed thence to Ohio and some years later 
came to this State, finally breathing his last in 
Dawson, this county. The mother of our subject 
was born in the Blue Grass State and entered into 
rest in the tjownship where her son is now living. 
This was the original home of the family in this 
State and here our subject has lived since 1826. 
He was born in Kentucky February 28, 1813, and 
while still an infant was taken to Clermont County, 
Ohio. There he began his pursuit of knowledge 



and after reaching this county continued his edu- 
cation in schools. 

Mr. Morgan has always lived on a farm and is 
as thoroughly acquainted with the various de- 
tails of farm life as any one can be. He began 
his personal career on the land which he' now 
occupies, it being a part of section 21, Mechanics- 
burg Township. His original purchase here was 
made in 1835. At present his estate consists of 
one hundred and fifty acres of land that have been 
highly developed and made to bring forth abun- 
dantly of the crops for which this section of the 
State is noted. It is supplied with the various im- 
provements which have been found necessary and 
convenient in prosecuting agricultural work and 
providing for the comfort of the occupants. 

In 1832 Mr. Morgan led to the hymeneal altar 
Melinda Morgan, a native of Kentucky, who had 
gone from that State to Indiana and thence came 
hither. After a married life of more than lifty 
j'ears our subject and his faithful companion were 
separated by the hand of death, the wife passing 
away in April, 1887. The bereaved husband is 
cheered in his sorrow by the cooiforts of religion 
and the lovins); care of the children who were left 
motherless. Two of his family still find a shelter 
under his roof and three are established in homes 
of their own. Eliza Jane is the wife of J. D. Kelly, 
living in Greenwood County, Kan; Franklin Bea- 
son lives in Buffalo, this county ; William Wash- 
ington resides in Kansas; Calvin Erskin is unmar- 
ried and with his father; Alice, the wife of John 
Rutherford, is the housekeeper in the old home. 
Two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are 
deceased. 

In his younger days Mr. Morgan was a School 
Director and Trustee. He has been a Democrat all 
his life but was alwaj's opposed to slavery. He is 
still strong in his faith in the worth of Democratic 
principles and supports them whenever occasion 
arises. He has been a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for sixty-four j'ears and is active 
in the maintenance of the church and all matters 
pertaining thereto. In 1835 when Methodism was 
in its infancy in this section the old settlers bought 
a tract of land which was to be used for camp meet- 
ings and a cemetery forever. In the course of time 



390 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



it was deeded to a Cemetery Association. Mr- 
Morgon is one cf tliose who lielieve that the churcli 
still owns it. Tlie band of nien who were liere at 
the time of the deep snow and who are linown as 
"snow birds" includes our subject. Mr. Morgan is 
well known for his steadf.ast adherence to his prin- 
ciples, whether connected with moral or educa- 
tional questions. He is still clear of mind and 
strong in body, although he has passed some dis- 
tance beyond the seventieth milestone on the jour- 
ney of life. 



bOGAN McMURRY, the oldest settler in 
) Gardner Township and one of the oldest in 
, the county, has been associated with its 
farming interests for many years and his record as 
a pioneer and a citizen is honorable alike to him- 
self and to the community. 

Robert McMurry, the father of our subject, was 
of Scotch- Irish descent and was born in Greenbrier 
County, Va. He settled in Kentucky in the early 
pioneer days, locating on the banks of the Rolling 
Forks River. He was married and settled in the 
woods where he carried on farming until 1811. 
In that year he removed to St. Clair County, III., 
in the times of Indian troubles and that winter 
lived in a camp. He died the next summer and the 
mother of our subject returned to her old Ken- 
tucky home vvith her seven children and remained 
there live years. The family then returned to St. 
Clair Countj' in 1817, coming here in wagons. 
The eldest son had married and they all settled on 
Silver Creek, the male members of the family hav- 
ing come here first and secured their land before 
the arrival of the others. They had squatted on 
land near Springfield. The eldest brother of our 
subject lived there four years and when the land 
came into market he sold iiis first place on the south 
side and made a claim on the north side of Spring 
Creek for one hundred acres, and entered eighty 
acres besides in what is now Gardner Township. 
He lived there until he sold out and removed to 
Clinton in DeWitt County, where he bought land 



and died at Clinton February 13, 1876. The mother 
lived in St. Clair County until 1821 and then set- 
tled on Spring Creek with one of her sons with 
whom she lived some j'ears prior to taking up h<r 
abode in Gardner Township. Her boys built here 
a hewed-log house for her home and after her son's 
marriage she was with our subject until the time of 
her death which occurred in 1857 in Curran Town- 
ship, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. She 
was a stanch member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and was greatly respected. Her maiden 
name was Elizabeth Logue and she was born in 
Greenbrier County, Ya. She was the mother of 
seven children: William who died in Clinton; 
Samuel, in Curran; James in California; Lewis at 
St. Louis; Hester, Mrs. Turner, on Spring Creek; 
Arthur B., on Horse Creek in Sangamon County, 
February 28. 1855. William took part in the War 
of 1812, serving through tiie entire contest and 
was with Gen. Jackson at New Orleans, returning 
home after that event. 

Logan McMurry was born on Rolling Forks 
River in Washington County, Ky., March 22, 1810. 
He came to Illinois with the family in 1811 and 
returned to Kentucky with his mother in 1812 liv- 
ing there until he was eight years old. In 1817 or 
1818 he came back to Illinois with his mother, driv- 
ing a team to St. Clair County though he was then 
a mere child. He was early set to work on the 
farm and had to labor hard early and late. In the 
fall of 1821 he accompanied his mother to Sanga- 
mon County, journeying with two teams, a wagon 
and an ox-cart. They located on Spring Creek 
where they remained two years. In 1823 they set- 
tled in Gardner Township and he remained with 
his mother assisting her in the management of the 
farm for several years. In 1828 he went with a 
a drove of hogs to Galena, traveling thither on 
foot and from there went to Plattsville, Wis., 
where he engaged with two 3'oung men from 
Siingamon County to work by the month for $18 a 
month, in mauling rails. He and his companions 
split two hundred rails and then went coon hunting, 
etc. They slept on a bunk in rude cabins and en- 
joyed themselves after the manner of hunters. In 
the summer Mr. McMurry eng.aged with a man to 
chop wood and to run a furnace for smelting pur- 



.PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



391 



poses. His feet were so hardened that he went 
bare-footed among the hot flints and cinders and 
the bo3's said tliat be could Ivnocii fiic from Hints 
with liis toos. He also engaged in mining some. 

In tlie fall of 1830 Mr. McMurry came back to 
this countv with a miner's famil\', he helping them 
on the journey. He remained here and was mar- 
ried in the month of December, 1831, to Miss Me- 
lissa Robison. Mr.s. McMurry was born in Caldwell 
County, K}'., and is a daughter of Edward Rob- 
ison, of Kentuckj', who came to Polk County in 
1818 and subsequently became a pioneer of Gard- 
ner Township in 1831, in the winter of the deep 
snow. That was an ever memorable season to the 
pioneers of this county as it was very cold and 
snowed forty days and nights, off and on, and the 
snow laid four feet deep on a level. Our subject 
had a team of oxen and engaged in hauliiig goods 
from St. Louis to Alton, Meredosia, Beardstown, 
Naples to Springfield. He became well acquainted 
with the countrj' and in those early times when the 
county was scarcely improved ho had manv trying 
experiences in passing over the rt!ugh roads. Once 
in February he started out just as it was thawing 
with horse and ox-teams and had to turn tlie horse- 
teams back and make the trip with oxteams and the 
wagons settled in tlie mud to the hub of the wheels. 
It took eighteen days to make the trip. One time he 
went to St. Louis and had to wait a whole da3- be- 
fore he could cross on the ferry. He returned in 
eighteen days with §G in goods for his trip. He 
bought wheat here for twelve and one-half cents a 
bushel, drew it to Beardstown where he disposed 
of it at twenty-fi^ve cents on time, and has not ob- 
tained the money to this day. He continued to 
engage in farming and teaming and in 1832 en- 
tered forty acres of land where his homestead is. 
Through his father-in-law who took an interest in 
him he entered his forty acres therr. He had to 
work hard to pny off his obligations but finally 
succeeded in doing so. He had to labor under 
difficulties as every year lie had fever and ague 
and he had two very severe attacks of illness when 
he was treated by Dr. Early, of Springfield. 

In entering upon the improvement of his land 
our subject built a frame shanty of hardwood 
lumber and he lathed and plastered it himself 



though he had never seen it done, and thus made 
it comfortable for the winter. He broke prairie 
and made rails to fence twenty acres of land. He 
used oxen in his work. At one time while he was 
sick the cattle got into the fields and destroyed his 
crops. He used a wooden plow to in-eak the sod 
and hickory bark lines which had been soaked in 
water to make them pliable, to guide his team. He 
was quite a hunter and used often to kill deer, 
wolves and other wild animals which were very 
plentiful. From time to time he added more land 
to his farm, jjaying^o an acre for his second forty, 
$7 an acre for his third forty, and a few years later 
bought another forty at |!20 an acre for which his 
crop of wheat paid in one year, and after that ho 
bought fifty acres from his father-in-law for which 
lie paid 816 an acre. 

In 1832 Mr. McMurry took a second trip to 
Galena with an ox-team and was gone five months. 
While there he eng.aged in hauling lead from 
PlattviUe to Galena making three trips a week, 
receiving $1.50 a thousand and earning $100. He 
returned in the fall of the year and enlisted to take 
part in the Black Hawk War but was not called 
out as the war closed soon after. He made a 
third trip to Galena in 1833 and was engat^ed as 
before. He subsequently engaged on a farm and 
teamed to the river from Springfield, beino- anx- 
ious to do anything whereby to get money to pay 
his indebtedness to Dr. Pearly for money to pay 
on his land. He now has two hundred and ten acres 
of tillable land well improved and has a fine place 
here. He built his house in 1857 and his barn prior 
to that. His land is fenced and lie has planted out 
walnut and other trees to adorn the farm. Foi' many 
years he took the lead as the champion plowman 
and was active until he was nearly eighty years 
old, when he retired to some extent from his former 
busy life. He engages in general farming, raising 
hogs, cattle, horses and mules and feedino- cattle. 
In the -war time he made money by sellino- mules 
and at one time had sixteen which he disposed of 
at a good price. 

Mr. and Mrs. McMurry have been blessed with 
eight children, namely: Edward S., who was a pio- 
neer of Kansas in the early days, is engaged in 
farming, etc.; two children died in infancy ; Martha 



392 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



J. and Mary E. were twins; E. J., a pioneer of 
Kansas who now resides in Colorado where he is 
engaged as a stockman; (ieorge F. who is an in- 
valid and lives in California, having a ranch at the 
foot of the mountains; Ann, wife of Lot Gard, a 
farmer and stockman in Pottawatomie County, 
Kan.; Fannie and Rose at home. E. J. was a mem- 
ber of the Tentli Illinois Cavalry during the late 
war. Ilfl enlisted in 1861 when only eighteen \ears 
old and served throughout the Rebellion. At one 
time his horse was shot under him and he was 
nearly killed. 

Mr. McMurry voted for W. H. Harrison for 
President in 1840, lieing then a Whig and he sup- 
ported Harrison's grandson in 1888 and has been a 
stanch advocate of the Republican party since its 
formation. He has been active in forwarding so- 
cial, religious and educational interests of his town- 
ship. He was School Director and helped to build 
the first solioolhouse here. He belongs to the Anti- 
Horse Thief Association. Our subject is an earnest 
and active Christian and for more than fifty years 
has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, joining it in 1833. He was a charter mem- 
ber of the church and helped erect the i)resent 
house of worship and has i)een Trustee for j'cars. 
He is a sound temperance man and favors prohi- 
bition. He has served on both the petit and grand 
juries. 

HARLES II. LANPHIER. The name of 
lis gentleman is widel}' known and honored 
throughout Sangamon County. He is one 
of Springfield's prominent and valued citizens, has 
been active in its political and social life and has 
been a potent factor in its u|ibuilding. 

Mr. Lanphier was born in Alexandria, Va., 
on the 14th of April, 1820, to Robert G. and 
Elizabeth (Sears) Laupbier, who were born in 
the immediate vicinitj' of the birthplace of tliler 
son. Robert Goin Lanphier was the son of Goin 
Lanphier who was in turn the son of Thomas Lan- 
phier who was born in Ireland, coming originally 
of the Huguenot stock of France. He came to 
this country in 1732 and located first at Accomack, 




Va., and afterward at Port Tobacco, Md. Tradi- 
tion has it thai, he came to America with consider- 
able means. After his death in 1742 his family 
located at Alexandria, being among its first settlers. 
There Goin followed the business of architect, 
builder and contractor which was afterward pur- 
sued by his son Robert. 

When Charles H. w.as four j-ears old his family 
removed to Washington where he had the advan- 
tages of an excellent education in private schools 
until ho was sixteen years old. At that age he 
came here with William Walters who founded the 
State Register. Our subject entered the Register 
office as nn apprentice and was with Mr. Walters 
until the latter started for the Mexican War in 
1 846, and was taken sick and died in St. Louis while 
on the way, whereupon Charles undertook the 
paper which he conducted with eminent ability 
until 1863, making it a bright, newsy paper and an 
influence in politics. A part of the time he was 
associated with George Walker. 

Mr. Lanphier was elected Circuit Clerk in 1864 
and served two terms until 1868, making one of 
the most elficient officers that ever served the peo- 
ple in that capacity. In 1872 he was a candidate 
for State Treasurer. He has been Alderman of the 
city of Springfield a number of times and has been 
very influential in bringing about needed reforms 
in the municipal government and lias been potent 
in advancing the material interests of the city in 
various directions. He has taken a prominent part 
in politics and has been a Democrat all his life since 
casting his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk. 
He is now living in one of the many beautiful 
homes of this city, passing the declining years of 
a busy, honorable life in the enjoyment of the 
wealth that he has gathered together and vir- 
rounded by every evidence of respect and affection 
not only of his children, but of the entire commu- 
nity where so many years of his life have been 
passed. 

By his marriage in 1846 to Margaret T. Crenshaw 
Mr. Lanphier secured a noble wife who was his 
chief blessing during a long and serene wedded life 
of more than forty years duration. Mrs. Lanphier 
was a native of Gallatin County, 111., and a daugh- 
ter of John Hart and Fraucine (Taylor) Crenshaw 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



398 



nativos, respectively, of NorLli Carolina and Vir- 
ginia. Tlie Crenshaws were early settlers of New 
Madrid, Mo., and were driven away from tiiere by 
ihe eartliquake of 1811. They took up tlieir resi- 
dence ill Gallatin County, 111. Mr. Crenshaw was 
a |)00r man when he settled there but became 
wealthy. Seven children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Lanphier of whom five are living: Robert G. 
who is a farmer living on the old homestead in 
Gallatin County; John C, a lawyer at Springfielil; 
Charles H., City Electrician; Francine K., wife of 
Jaiues W. Patton, and Margaret C, wife of George 
W. Chatterton. "William W. died at the age of fit- 
teen years, and Anna at the age of seventeen years. 
The death of the beloved wife and mother was a 
sad blow to her bereaved household. From the 
Springfield Monitor we take the following beautiful 
tribute to her life and character: 

Death's Doings. 

IjANPniER — at the family residence on Fourth 
Street near Madison, October 24, 1889, Mrs. Margaret 
Taylor Lanphier, beloved wife of Charles IL Lan- 
phier, in the sixty-second year of her life. 

'•The death of Mrs. Lanphier has been long ex- 
pected. She lias been an invalid for some three 
years and her life has been despaired of many times 
during the last two years, so intense has been her 
suffering during that period. While the many 
hundreds of friends of the family earnestl}' aad 
deeply sympathize with her bereaved companion 
and sorrowing children, all of whom have minis- 
tered to her every want and wish and did ever^'- 
thing to bring her ease from suffering that science 
could suggest or that could be secured by purchase 
or person.il effort; yet how consoling amid their 
sorrow that a beloved wife and mother has found 
peace from pain and rest from long and weary 
weeks of suffering by the wise economy of na- 
ture voiced in the words of the sacred writer 
when tleelaring that '"it hath been appointed unto 
man once to die." One of the kindest hearts that 
ever warmed a human form has ceased to luilsate; 
the hand that was ever open to aid, responsive to 
that heart's wishes, is folded over the cold and 
silent casket which contained the gem of soul which 
has left the world better for its stay in it, and fills 
beloved eyes with tears and hearts with sighs, when 
death comes and leaves naught but a cold form and 
a thousand clinging reminders of her life. 

Mrs. Lanphier was born December 4. 1827. at 
Eipiality, Gallatin County, 111., and was the daugh- 
ter of .Tohn Hart Crenshaw, a pioneer of this State. 




She became the wife of Charles H. Lanphier in 
1846. The family have resided in this city ever 
since. She was the mother of seven chddren, five 
of whom — Mrs. .James W. Patton, of this city ; Rob- 
ert G. Lanphier, of Gallatin County, 111.; John C. 
and Charles H. Lanphier, Jr., and Mrs. George W. 
Chatterton, of this city — survive her with their fa- 
ther, her devoted husband, to keep green the merits 
of a life worthy of emulation and sparkling with 
happiest memories. She pays the debt of nature; 
she marks the impress of her ye.irs of life as a true 
woman, wife and mother, upon the world ; she has 
passed her probation and Hope cheerfully points 
sad eyed, sorrowing ones to 

"Where the faded flower shall freshen, 
Freshen never more to fade. 
Where the shaded sky shall brighten. 
Brighten never more to shade." 



ELLERT & HUYEAR. This firln carries 
on one of the prosperous business enter- 
prises of Springfield, their stock in trade 
being harness, saddlery and saddler's hard- 
ware. Their store contains quite a large stock of 
carefully-selected goods, veined at between $3,500 
and *4,000. It h.as been but a short time since the 
firm was instituted, but the establishment alread}- 
ranks well among dealers, and those who have oc- 
casion to buy such goods as are kept are sure to 
receive courteous treatment and meet with a care- 
ful consideration of their wants. 

John J. Dellert, senior member of the firm, was 
born in Pike County, Ohio, August 29, 1858. His 
parents, Jacob and Catherine (Devinawitz) Dellert, 
were born in the German P'mpireand the father was 
a grocer and butcher; he died April 15, 1887, hut 
the widowed mother is still living. Our subject 
was brought up to his present business, serving an 
apprenticeship with Jacob Lauermann of Waverly, 
Pike County, Ohio. The joung man came to Illi- 
nois in March, 1888, worked one season in a brick- 
yard and then entered upon his i)resent business. 

The many good qualities possessed by MissMaiy 
E. Reef, of Pike County, Ohio, won the deep re* 
gard of Mr. Dellert and, his wooing having proved 
successful, they became husband and wife Decem- 
ber 2, 1879. Two children have come to gladden 



894 



PORTRAIT AND BiOGRAFlIJCAL ALBUM. 



tliem by their love and intelligence. They are named 
respectively, Lulu and John. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Dellert belong to St. John's Lutheran Church. In 
politics Mr. Dellert is a Democrat. 

A. William Huyoar was born in St. Louis. Mo., 
Apiil 1;"', 18G2. His parents are Alfred and Joseph- 
ine Iluyear, who are now living in JNIacoupin 
County, this State, to which they removed in 1869. 
The son learned his trade in Carlinville, serving 
three years with Battise & ILinlley. He then went 
west anil during the ensuing nine years traveled in 
Kansas. Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, 
California, Oregon and Texas. lie worked at his 
trade wherever he went, thus supporting himself 
while gaining an excellent knowledge of the scenery 
and manner of life in the States and Territories be- 
yond the Mississippi. In Januar3', 1888, he came 
to Springfield and a few weeks later became junior 
member of the firm of Dellert & Huyear. 

A thorough knowledge of the business in which 
tliey are engaged, practical skill in its mechanical 
departments, and a large amount of energy and 
tact conspire to give promise of a [jrosperous fu- 
ture to tlie lirm of Dellert & Iluyear. Both gen- 
tlemen receive a due measure of respect on account 
of their private characters, and arc sought for by 
society as their social qualities merit. 



W 1 *> 



""♦"••^XIS- 



-*.-- 



^OSIAH MILTON THOMPSON, a retired 
merchant of Mechanicsburg is one of three 
brothers who have lived in and around this 
place for more than half a century. They 
have been farmers, merchants, bankers, etc., and 
have enjoyed the confidence of the people in the 
highest degree. They are in fact the leaders and 
controllers, either directl}' or indirectly, of almost 
the entire business interests of the place. 

Josiah M. Thompson was born in Bourbon 
Count)', Ky., in 1823, was reared on a farm, and at an 
early age bought one hundred and sixty acres of raw 
laud. He improved the tract, then sold it and pur- 
chased two hundred and twenty-three acres of the 
old homestead. Disposing of that he engaged in 
mercantile pursuits in Mechanicsburg, continuing 



in trade about thirty years, this including the period 
of the war. The firm of Thompson Bros, was 
noted for its liberalitj- to the soldiers and many a 
donation of various kinds of supplies found its way 
to the camp. More than one of the boys in blue 
had his needs relieved b}' the open-handed charity 
of that firm. 

In 1860 Mr. Thompson, believing that it is not 
good for man to live alone, won for his wife Mag- 
gie Munce. This lady was born in this State and 
belongs to a family that is numbered among the 
early settlers. The congenial union resulted in 
the birth of five children, of whom two sons and a 
daughter are now living. Eliza is the wife of Sam- 
uel Nesbitt and is the mother of one child, their 
home being in Ft. Worth,Tex ; John A .,w ith his wife 
and three children, lives in Mechanicsburg and 
Tliomas M. is unmarried and lives with his parents; 
he is an exemplary 3'oung man who has taken up the 
occupation <if a farmer. 

During his younger days Mr. Thompson was con- 
nected with the educational interests of this section. 
He has been an important factor in the development 
of the country and_ until his failing health necessi- 
tated his retirement from active business, was prom- 
inently identified with various matters. He is a 
charter member of Lodge No. 4, F. & A. M..and 
was active in securing the erection of the building 
in which the meetings of the organization are held 
and in which a flourishing body has grown. For forty 
j'car she lias been a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. In a spacious home, surrounded by every 
comfort, lie is passing his declining years. He has 
l)y no means lost his interest in that which is trans- 
piring in and about the town, but is content to 
leave the labors of life to younger men, while ever 
ready to ad vise and counsel them. 



aHARLES HARRIS is engaged in farming 
and stock-raising in I/Oami Township, where 
' he has carried on these industries very 
proUtabl)' these many years. He is a native of 
Morgan County this State where his birth occurred 
August 25, 1836. His father has been a well- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



8U6 



known find influential citizen of this county 
for many years and is one of the many wealth}' 
men of Loami Township, where he owns a large 
body of land. His name is William P. Harris and 
he was born in Green County, Ky. His father was 
Charles Harris who was a pioneer farmer of Ken- 
tucky and died there many j-ears ago. 

The father of our subject passed his early life 
in the State of his nativit}-. He was married to 
Malinda Miles, who was also of Kentucky birth. 
She died in 1851. She was a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church and was strong in the faith 
to the last. Mr. Harris emigrated from his old 
Kentucky home to Sangamon County in 1852. He 
purchased land in Loami Township and in the 
course of 3'ears acquiied wealth and became pro- 
prietor of eight hundred acres of fine land in this 
township. In 1875 he retired from active business 
to enjoy his hahdsome competence amid the com- 
forts of a pleasant home in Waverly. He was 
.Justice of the Peace several years. In him the 
Baptist Church has one of its most consistent mem- 
bers and most liberal supporters. 

Charles Harris is one of eleven children, of 
whom five are livini^, and he was born in a log 
house, which was a tj'pical pioneer home. His 
tducation was conducted in a log schoolhouse 
with slab seats, a punciieon floor, and a rude 
fireplace for heating purposes. He early received 
good training in farming, and at twenty years of 
age actively entered upon his career as a farmer on 
his own account, his father giving him eighty acres 
of land which he improved. He now owns one 
hundred and eighty acres of land in Loami Town- 
ship upon which he has placed many valuable im- 
provements and has the land under admirable till- 
age, so that in many respects it is one of the most 
desirable pieces of property in the township. He 
has his farm well stocked, as he pa3's much atten- 
tion to raising cattle and hogs. 

That our subject enjoys the coziness and com- 
forts of an attractive home is due in part to the 
faithful co-operation of his estimable wife to whom 
he was married September 11, 1856. Mrs. Harris 
is a native of Kentucky and was born near 
Mount Sterling,. She is a daughter of David 
and Elizabeth (Morris) McLaughlin, who were 



also natives of Kentucky. They came to San- 
gamon County about 1850, and here iier father 
carried on farming many years. He died in 1887, 
his wife having preceded him in death many years 
dying in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Harris, have 
had seven children as fallows: Isabel (deceased); 
Lizzie, William D., (deceased), Charles E., Clara 
M., George and one who died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harris stand well in their commun- 
ity, as their neighborly kindness and many excel- 
lent traits of head and heart have attracted to them 
warm friends. They are esteemed members of the 
Presbyterian Church and are strong in the faith. 
Politically our subject is a stanch Republican and 
has been a delegate to a county convention. So- 
cially he is connected with the Masons. 



PtT'RANCIS I. TAYLOR. The town of New 
-^iSi Berlin is the seat of several thriving busi- 
ness enterprises, among them being the mer- 
cantile establishment of the gentleman above named. 
Considering the size of the town, it may be called 
large and is certainly well stockeil with a carefully- 
selected assortment of such goods as meet the wants 
of the citizens in the village, as well as those whose 
homes are in the surrounding country. The busi- 
ness is conducted with skill, and honoral)le dealing 
is accorded to all who patronize the establishment. 
Mr. Taylor enjoys therefore an extensive trade and 
the entire confidence of the community. 

The subject of this sketch was born in New Ber- 
lin Township, July 26, 1857, and is a son of Fran- 
cis and Henriette (Morehouse) Taylor, the former 
of whom died December 17, 1888, and the latter 
February 12, 1863. He received a common-school 
education in the [)ublic schools of this county, and 
in order to better fit himself for business life pur- 
sued a commercial course of study in a business 
college in Burlington, Iowa, one term. Prior to 
the death of his father he devoted himself to the 
management of his farm interests on the parental 
estate, which contained over one thousand acres of 
land. 

In 1881 the young man entered into partnership 



896 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



with his father under the firm name of F. Taylor 
ife Son, and in 188G prior to the death of iiis parent 
became his successor in conducting a general store. 
His brother, Albert ,]., who was born October 7, 
1850, is now associated with liim in business. The 
brother pursued his studies in the public schools 
of the county, then spent a year in Brown's Com- 
mercial College of J.acksonville, taking a business 
course there. The two gentlemen have an extended 
circle of acquaintances and are favorably regarded 
for their intelligence, reliability and upright char- 
acters. In 1881 our subject was appointed Post- 
master in New Berlin, was removed during Cleve- 
land's administration, but re-appointed under 
President Harrison. 

Mr. Taylor was fortunate in winning for his wife 
Miss Minnie Y. Yates, with whom his marri:;^,e 
rites were solemnized June 25, 1884. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Taylor have been born tliree children namely, 
Nellie Y., Frances M. and Harry. Mrs. Taylor was 
educated, first in the schools of this county and 
then ill Bloomington, where she pursued the higher 
brandies for two years in the Normal Scliool. She 
is one of the best-informed ladies in the commun- 
ity and is possessed of an estimable character. She 
lias been a member of the Baptist. Church for fif- 
teen years, while Mr. Taylor has been identified 
with the- Presbyterian Church for ten years past. 
The principles laid down in tlie Republican plat- 
form find a hearty su|>porter in Sir. Taylor, who 
although not a politician is always ready to do 
what he can to promote the principles of good 
government. 



-!-+t=S>^5f-4-f— 



n SAAC HENRY TRUMBO. Among the varied 
and numerous occu(iations by means of which 
(li men seek fame and fortune, there is certainly 
none more free from worry and vexation of spirit 
than agricultural pursuits. In the country', sur- 
rounded on every side by the waving fields of 
grain, and listening to the birds that sing so tune- 
fully in the branches of each tree, man's soul is 
possessed in calmness and he does not wear himself 
out as do the busy peoi^le who early and late are in 



the stream of human beings that surge to and fro 
in a busy city. 

Tlie subject of our sketch is numbered among 
those who enjoy the freedom and peace of farm 
life, and lives on section 6, on what was formerly 
known as Ball Township, but was cut off and given 
to Chatham. He owns three hundred and seventy 
acres of valuable land and gives his time and at- 
tention to the cultivation and improvement of his 
estate. 

My. Trumbo was born in Woodside Township, 
March 13, 1830, being the son of Adam and Mil- 
dred (Foster) Trumbo. His father was a native 
of Kentucky, and was born in Bourbon County, 
]\Iay G, 1700. He was the son of Andrew Trumbo. 
The family is of French extraction. There were 
twelve children born to our subject's parents, six 
sons and six daugliters, of whom only six are living 
at the present writing, viz. : Harkness, who married 
Miss Elizabeth Hall and resides in Woodside Town- 
sliip; Andrew, who married Miss Mary Flournoy, 
and makes his home in Modoc County, Cal. ; George 
W., who married Miss Mary Malone and lives in 
Davis County, Mo.; Isaac Henry, the subject 
of our sketch; Louisa Jane, who married Thomas 
Chord and lives in Menard County; Elizabeth J., 
who married John Smith and lives in Woodside 
Township. 

Our subject's father came to Illinois as early as 
1828, settling in Menard County, and in a year's 
time moved from that place to one mile east of 
.Springfield where he lived two years and then 
moved to a farm six miles south of .Springfield and 
continued to reside there until 185G. Mr. Trumbo 
was reared on his father's farm and attended school 
part of the year and at the same time worked for 
his father up to tlie time when he attained his 
twenty-fifth year. His education was necessarily 
limited as the schools did not compare with those 
f)f to-day, and the information imparted was of the 
most elementary order. 

Mr. Trumbo was married December 25, 1854, to 
Emma Bridges, daughter of William Bridges, who 
was born in Montgomery County, Ky.. August 19, 
1830. Her parents came to Illinois in 1835. To 
this union has been born three children, two of 
whom are still living, viz.: Alma, who is single and 





Cy'^^V^-^.-'!^ 



2. ' 



-.^^L-^^-^-Z-^-^-T^ > 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



399 



at home with her parents; Arabell, who is a teacher 
in Oreijon County, Mo., ami who is a laiiy of strik- 
ing intellectuality. Amanda Jane is deceased. 
Our subject has also undertaken the education of 
his nieces. He has been remarkably successful in 
life and is well liked bj' all who know him, and has 
accumulated a sutlicient supply of tiiis world's 
goods to pass the afternoon of his life in peace, sur- 
rounded by home comforts and by the love of wife, 
children and friends. The family are members of 
the Christi.li: Church, and Mr. Trumbo is a member 
of the Woodside Clrange. In politics he votes the 
Prohibition ticket. 



/0H>; BROWN. This county is probably as 
well supplied with fine farm houses and 
thoroughly cultivated estates as any in the 
whole INIississippi Valle}'. A number of 
wealthy men have their homes here, some of ivhom 
have accumulated their large property by their own 
exertions and some have been aided bj' that which 
they have inherited. The fact that the three Brown 
brothers — John, Charles G.. and Reuben S. have 
had a considerable fund willed to them, does not 
in an^-wise detract from the honor whicli belongs 
to them as farmers of thrift, energy and admirable 
judgment. He of whom we write has accumulated 
a large amount of real estate and has erected upon 
it a complete line of the best buildings to be seen 
on the lands of prosperous agriculturists. 

Our subject was born in Morgan County, April 
2.j, 1833. He was reared on his father's farm, 
much after the fashion of other boys during the 
period embraced in the first half of the century, 
and received his education in the common schools. 
He remained at home until 1857, then came to this 
county and spent some three or four years in Au- 
burn Tovvnship. Returning to Morgan County he 
made that his home during the war and afterward 
hjcaled where he now resides. This is on section 
'20. Auburn Township, where he has a beau- 
tiful residence, with all its appointments in keep- 
ing with the means and tastes of the owner. His 
landed estate consists of eleven hundred and twenty^ 



acres of land, whose strength of soil makes it very 
productive. Mr. Brown has always been engaged 
in farming and stock-raising, and brings to bear 
upon his occupation all the powers of his mind and 
the knowledge gained by study and observation. 

The parents of Mr. Brown were Bedford and 
Caroline A. (.Springer) Brown, natives of Kentucky 
who emigrated to Morgan County, 111., late in the 
'20s. There they continued lo make their home 
until called upon to la\- down the burdens of life. 
The father died May 20, 1873, and the mother Janu- 
ary 25, 1879. Both reached the age of seventy-three 
years and a few months. 

In the county in which he was born Mr. Brown 
was married to Marianna Poe, their wedding rites 
being solemnized April 8, 1862. Mrs. Brovvn was 
born in Hamilton County, Ohio, January 5, 1836. 
Her parents, William and Margaret Ann (Tippet) 
Poe, were born in Henrico County, A'^a., removed 
thence to Ohio, and later to this State, finall}' dy- 
ing in Auburn Township, this county. 

To Mr. and Jlrs. Brown five children have been 
born, upon whom have been bestowed the names 
of Marguerite S., John W., Caroline M., Anna 
P. and Rose B. The sou has adopted the occupa- 
tion in which his father has proved so success- 
ful. All have been given excellent advantages, 
b(>tli at home and in school, and are fitted to take 
their places in any position to which they m.ay be 
called in future years. The parents are active 
members of the Presbyterian Church and have 
earnestly endeavored to instill correct principles of 
conduct into the hearts of their offspring. In pol- 
itics Mr. Brown is a thorough-going Republican, 
firmly convinced that the principles of his chosen 
party are those best adapted to advance the inter- 
ests of the countrj'. 



^^mim^^'^^ 



I70HN L. FORTADO. Among the Portu- 
guese residing in Springfield, none deserves 
more honortible mention than the subject of 
this sketch. He came of those whose lot 
was cast on Madeira Island several hundred years 
ago, and who, liecause of their religious convictions 



400 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



were obliged to flee from the islaiKl and first found 
a harbor in Trinidad. In 1847 Illinois offered an 
asylum to the descendants of the early exiles, and 
in Sangamon and Morgan Counties many are yet 
to he found. The one of whom we write is a mem- 
ber of the firm of Fortado & Meline, stone con- 
tractors, whose business is among the most flourish- 
ing in the city. 

The parents of our subject, Francisco and Mary 
(DaCosta) Fortado, were born on the island of 
Mtdeira, and came to America in 1844. They lo- 
citcd in .Jacksonville, this State, where the father 
became a laborer, although he had been a farmer in 
foreign lands. To the good couple were born six 
children, four of whom are now living. Besides 
our subject these are, Mary, wife of Joseph Meliue, 
Sr., whose home is in Jacksonville; Emanuel F. 
Lomelino, whose name commemorates the practice 
of many foreign peoples, of adding a surname; An- 
tonio, a conductor on tiie Wabash Railroad. The 
mother died February 22, 1885, at the age of sixty- 
eishl years. The father, who was born in 1810, is 
still living, making iiis home with his son of whom 
we write. 

Our subject was born in Jacksonville. March 9, 
1858, and educated in the schools of his native 
place. He accfuired a good stock of practical 
knciwledgo, and since reaching maturity has en- 
deavored to keep himself well informed and a<ld to 
his ((ualiflcations for life in its various phases. His 
first business was established in Springfield some 
five years ago and he has worked up a trade of 
about -lilo.OOO per annum, lie U exclusively en- 
<>aged in the building line, putting up churches, 
vaults, etc., and thoroughly understands the busi- 
nc-is, which he learned with R. C. Smith. Mr. For- 
bid. i furnished the stone work for the Nelson 
IMock, St. Agnes' Church, Brittin Block, the Third 
Presbyterian Church, and other notable structures. 
lie now has associated ivith him his ne[)hew, Joseph 
Meline, Jr. 

In Jacksonville, December IG, 1880, the rites of 
widlock were celebrated between Mr. Fortado and 
M iss Addle Gonsalvcs. The bride was born in 
Morgan County, in Octolier, 1858, is well educated, 
possesses the manners of a well-bred lady, and an 
I'st.iinable character. Mr. Fortado is Senior Deacon 



in Lodge No. 4, F. & A. M., and Worthy Adviser 
in Lodge No. 333, M. W. of A. His business mon- 
opolizes his attention in the main, but he devotes 
sufficient attention to politics to have an under- 
standing of matters at issue, and votes the Repub- 
lican ticket. He belongs to the Third Presbyterian 
Church, and as Superintendent of the first Portu- 
guese Sunday-school, is doing a good work in 
elevating the moral standard and adding to the 
number of Christians in the city. 



* 



'/ OSEPH BAUM and his sons are proprietors 
of Baum's Steam Marble, Granite and Stone 
Works, and are carrying on an extensive 
business in Springfield as manufacturers and 
wholesale dealers in monuments and building stone. 
Mr. Baum is a native of Cologne, Germany, where 
he was born October 3, 1828. He was reared in 
the land of his birth and according to the strict 
laws of the Fatherland, he was obliged to give the 
opening 3'ears of his manhood to the army and for 
four years he was a soldier in the Prussian Army 
which he entered in 1848 with the Fourth Dra- 
goons. He saw much hard fighting and lost his 
right e\e in battle. The results of the war in 
which he fought were anything but satisfactory to 
him, and that determined him to come to this 
country, and in the year 1854 he first set foot on 
American soil at New York City with recommenda- 
tions as a sculptor from the builders of the won- 
derful cathedral in his native city. He had learned 
his profession in Cologne and for four years 
was there engaged in making statues for the cathe- 
dral. He commenced like work for a church in 
New York C it}' and was subsequently employed by 
Fisher & Beard for about three years. 

At the expiration of that time our subject made 
his way to Charleston, S. C, where he remained 
until 1863. He had had enough experience of war 
in the land of his nativity and had no wish to be- 
come a soldier here, and moreover his sympathies 
were with the Union cause, but he found it very dif- 
ficult to get away from Charleston as he was sum- 
moned to take up arras for the Confederacy. A 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



401 



major, liowever, aided liim in securing a pass and 
lie got away unharmed. lie intended retnrning to 
Europe but in New York was induced to remain 
witli his old employers, Messrs. Fisher & Beard. 
Wliilst he w.as there a delegation visited New York 
from Chicago to secure a workman to work on 
Cn)sb3''s Opera House. Oar subject was designated 
as a particul.arly skillful artisan and he was ac- 
cepted. He accompanied the delegation to Chicago 
and did some notably fine work on the ojjera house 
mentioned. He then came to Springfield where be 
operjed bis present business. This has steadily in- 
creased till it is now one of the largest of the kind 
in Central Illinois and he and his sons derive a fine 
income from it. Their works are situated on Tenth 
ami Jackson Streets, while their office atid sales- 
room are on Jefferson Street between Third and 
Fourth, numbers 321 and 323. 

Mr. Baum was married to Antoinetta Schmitz of 
Germany in 1854. Mrs. Baum was born near Co- 
Idgne and comes of German antecedents. Her 
inarriiig^ with our subject has been blessed to them 
by ten children, who are now scattered far apart: 
Frank is in Lynn, Mass.; Juliet is in Minneapolis, 
Minn.; Antoinetta is in South America; Joseph is 
in Birmingham, Ala.; M. J., the eldest, Alexander 
:ind William are here with their father; Francis is 
ill North Carolina; Josie is in Decatur and Annie 
is in Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Mr. lianm has built up an extensive and profitable 
business solely by his own exertions. He has real 
nrlisUc merits and the work that is done in his 
manufactory is of the best kind and has acquired a 
liiuli reiiutation far and near. 



\||OHN M. CARPENTER. A goodly num- 
ber of men of advancing years have, after 
laboring long and well in various wa3's con- 
^j/. nected with the development of this county, 
retired from active life to enjoy the comforts to 
which their former industiy fairly entitles them. 
One of this number is the gentleman whose name 
introduces these paragraphs. In 1881 be bought a 
fine home in Buffalo, removed thereto from the 



farm which he had previously been occup3'ing, and 
settled down to the enjoyment of a happy home, 
uumarred by toil and business cares. 

Mr. Carpenter comes of good old Virginia fami- 
lies of the English stock. His parents, Thomas and 
Sarah (Hamm) Carpenter, were born in the Old 
Dominion. The mother passed away in 1831 in 
Ohio, and the father in 1848 in Virginia. Thej' 
were the parents of two children — Mrs. Mary J. 
Walker, now living in Indiana, and the subject of 
this biographical sketch. Our subject was born in 
Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, March 26. 182!), and 
having been left motherless when but a babe, was 
tal;en in charge b^' his maternal grandmother when 
two years old. When old enough he began work 
on a farm in Madison County, Ind. So great 
was his ambition to obtain an education that 
he earned the money for tuition, and erelong was 
so [)roficient, in his studies that the old style teacher 
was distanced and he led his schoolmates on to 
greater heights of knowledge. 

AVhen eighteen years old \'oung Carpenter re- 
turned to the parental home in Virginia, and during 
his visit his father died. He then returned to 
Indiana, spent a short time with his grandmother, 
and in September, 1850, came to this county. Here 
he began working on a farm for the Pickerells, an 
old family of this section. In the spring of 1851 
he began breaking prairie on his own responsibil- 
ity, using three yoke of oxen to drag the breaking 
plow. Aj'ear later he made a trip to Iowa and the 
ensidng fall visited his grandmother in Indiana for 
the last time. 

In the spring of 1853 Mr. Carpenter went to St. 
Louis, Mo., and joined a company which crossed the 
plains to California in a "'prairie schooner." They 
were six months making the journe}' to the Golden 
State, but the tedium of the trip was somewhat re- 
lieved by the strange scenes and grand views which 
they encountered. Mr. Carpenter spent two years 
in mining and was fairly successful in his labors. 
He was, however, so unfortunate as to lose the re- 
sults of his hard toil through the failure of a bogus 
express company. He then engaged in freighting 
goods from the coast to the northern mines, over 
the mountains and through the lands of hostile In- ^ 
dian tribes, where his w.ay was constantly beset 



402 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



witli danger. He pursued the laborious and hazard- 
ous occupation for two years, then, in tiie fall of 
18.t7, returned to Buffalo, via the oceans, isthmus 
and rail. 

In February, 1858, the rites of wedlock were 
celebrated between our subject and Miss Cordelia 
Coirell, a daughter of Hugh and Mar}' Correll. 
Mrs. Carpenter is a native of this count}- and is of 
Kentucky ancestry, as would readily be guessed by 
one who enjoyed her hospitality and noted the 
charm of her cordial manner. The congenial union 
has been blest by the birth of three children. The 
first-born, and only son. Howard W., married Ellen 
Robinson and has two children — Leiioy and Mabel. 
The second child, Dora B., an estimable young 
Lady, was removed from earth in the opening years 
of her womanhood, breathing her last February 22, 
1881, when twenty-one 3-ears old. The third child, 
Minnie B., was married in I^bruary, 1888, to 
Charles C. Reynolds. The two children who sur- 
vive have been placed upon the homestead and are 
following the example set before them by their 
parents in successfully prosecuting the affairs of 
farm and home. 

After his marriage our subject bought a tract of 
eighty acres upon which he established his home. 
After having made some improvements upon the 
place, he bought an additional forty acres and ere- 
long added a quarier section, and still further in- 
creased the tract by the subsequent purch.ase of 
one hundred and twenty .acres. The four hundred 
acres arc in a body, and no liner or l)etter im|)roved 
land can be found in the county than this valuable 
tract. Mr. Carpenter was a model farmer, being 
industrious, energetic and progressive. Fortune 
favored liis efforts and he now owns considerable 
real estate in Buffalo in addition to his dwelling 
place there. 

The keenest enjoyment is felt by Mr. Carpenter 
in seeing and promoting the happiness of his fam- 
ily, and .as a father and husband he is a model of 
consideration and affection. He is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and is as earnest in 
his Master's cause as he has been in his business 
affaii-s. He has never lost his keen thirst for knowl- 
I edge, but is a great reader, taking many of the best 
dailies and weeklies and by their perusal broaden- 



ing his culture and extending his information. Mr. 
Carpenter was connected with educational matters, 
either as a School Director or Trustee for twenty 
years, and he has also been a member of the Board 
of .Supervisors of Mechanicsburg Townshij). 



-i^^^^l 




,^^r^EORGE TRIMBLE. This Biogu.\phicai, 
Allium of Sangamon Count}' would not he 
Jj complete without a sketch of ''Uncle George" 
Trimble, who has for man}' years m.ade his home 
in Curran Township. He is an old-timer, but two 
older heads of families remaining to tell the story of 
the early days of this county. He holds a promi- 
nent [ilace as a farmer, citizen and politician, hav- 
ing been identified with tlic various phases of the 
progress of the county since he first began his 
labors here. It is a cause of rejoicing to all who 
enjoy his acciuaintance that prosperity attends him 
and that in his declining years he is surrounded 
with all of the comforts that he desires. 

]\lr. Trimble's grand[)arents emigrated from the 
Old Country to America during the eighteenth ceji- 
tuiy. His father, Hugh Trimble, was born on a vessel 
during the voyage, and was reared in Montgomery 
County, Ky., where Grandfather Ti'iinble carried 
on his trade of a blacksmith, and also operated a 
farm. Hugh Trimble became an agriculturalist, 
owning land in the same county, where he cleared 
one hundred and sixty acres. In 1835 he came to 
this State, passing by Springfield and settling in 
Morgan Count}-. After a sojourn of two years he 
removed to Adams County, where he died of the 
cholera in 1848. He was a Democrat in politics 
and in religion a believer in the doctrines promul- 
gated by the Christian Ciuircii. He was married 
three times. The two children born of the first 
union are deceased. His second union was with 
Nancy Nofcutt, a native of Montgomery County, 
Ky. ; she died when our subject was two months 
old, leaving also a son William, who is now de- 
ceased. Four children were born to Hugh Trimble 
by his third wife. The third child, a son Thomas, 
was shot by guerrillas in Adams County during the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



403 



Civil War; tbe youngest chili), Eltona, now lives 
in that county; the others are deceased. 

Our subject was born April 22, 1813, near Mt. 
Sterling, Montgomery' County, Ky., reared on a 
farm, and early set to work. He had but limited 
schfiol |)rivileges, the subscription school l.'eing 
held in a building three or four miles from his 
home, and his stepmother often keeping him at 
work when his father supposed he was at school. 
He resided with his parents until he was twenty- 
four years old, busying himself in farm work, and 
in the fall driving hogs to some distant market. 
Six times he went to Virginia and twice to North 
Carolina, consuming four months in the latter trip 
and walking all the way. He would come back b}' 
a diffeient route each time in order to see more of 
ilie country. He was a fine pedestrian and has 
made as high as six hundred m-les in nine days and 
one-half. 

In the fall of 1835 our subject came to this State 
with his father, traveling with a big wagon drawn 
by six horses. They crossed the Ohio River at the 
Louisville (K}'.) ferry, and tiie Wabash at Terrc 
Haute, Ind. When the}' reached iMorgan County 
our subject had but fifty cents. He began cliop- 
ping wood and doing other work for twent3'-five 
cents a day, and made rails for thirty-seven and 
one-half cents a hundred. A year after his arrival 
in this State he returned to Kentucky on horseback 
and was married to Miss Lydia Shumate, who was 
born in Bath County to Daniel and Mrs. Shumate. 
Further items regarding her ancestors will be 
found in the sketch of William Shumate on another 
page in this Album. Returning to Morgan County 
with his bride, Mr. Trimble resided there a year on 
a rented farm, then came to this county and rented 
on IJck Creek. He was without a dollar, but had 
a large capital of indomitable perseverance and 
determination. 

Mr. Trimble performed the usual farm labors, 
raising such crops as he could, and t.aking advan- 
tage of every opportunity to increase his income. 
He raised corn and fed cattle for six and one- 
fourth cents a bushel, mauled rails, did teaming 
and, in short, turned his hand to any honest occu- 
pation b}' which he could make money. He was 
an expert in the use of the axe, unexcelled in wood 



chopping and in snapping corn. He drove hogs to 
St. Louis, and by feeding those animals for market 
got his real start. In 1858 he was able to buy a 
small farm on Lick Creek for $1,601). He located 
upon it, operated it until it was clear of incum- 
lirances, and then bought an eighty acre tract near 
1)3'. After that was paid for he bought two hundred 
and fifty acres on section ll,Curran Township, 
but in 18G5 sold it and bought the estate he novv 
occupies. This consists of three hundred and lift}' 
acres on sections 23, 24 and 25. It is well fenced, 
has been furnished with ))uildings so as to make it 
virtually two farms, and upon it orchards have 
been planted and all the improvements made which 
stamp it as the home of a man who understands his 
business. One hundred acres is timber land and 
the rest is devoted i)rincii)ally to corn crops. jMr. 
Trimble raises hogs in large numbers and has sev- 
enteen head of good horses now on hand. 

The faithful and efflcient companion whom Mr. 
Trimble brought to Morgan County long years ago, 
died in 1866. .She left five children, three of whom 
are still living. William is a farmer in Curran 
Township; Eliza J. married Marion Miller and re- 
sides in Loami Township; Elizabeth, formerly the 
wife of Edward INIiller, died in Chatham Township; 
James A. operates the home farm and is represented 
in this volume; George died at his home in 1868, 
at the age of twent3-one 3ears. In the township 
in which he now lives, in 1867, Mr. Trimble was 
married to Rebecca J. Drcnnan. This lady was 
born in Woodside Township and is a daughter of 
Andrew Drennan, an early settler here. 

Like many of the old settlers Mr. Trimble wms a 
famous hunter in tlie days when game w.as abun- 
dant in this region. He has killed deer, and enjoyed 
fox-hunting with the Fox-hunting Company which 
went out with a pack of sixty hounds. He belongs 
to the Anti-Horse-Thief Association at Chatham 
and the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association at 
Curran. He has been Commissioner of Highways 
seven years and School Director seventeen j'cars. 
He is a Democrat, has been a delegate to county 
conventions, is well acquainted with the leading 
jioliticiaus of the da3' and enjoyed the acquaintance 
of man}' of those who have gone to their reward. 
Among this number are Stephen A. Douglas and 



404 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Trimble was so anxious 
to vote for Amlrew Jackson that he deposited a 
ballot before he was fairly entitled to the right of 
suffrage, and on I he first occasion of meeting lliat 
renowned warrior, he shook hands with him twice. 
Mr. Trimble belongs to the Christian Church in 
Bethel and was one of the leaders in erecting a 
house of worship thore. lie has been Trustee and 
always dees his share in supporting tiie Gospel 
work. He is liberal toward all enterprises which 
tend to the true civilization of mankind and, not 
being bound down by denominational prejudice, 
helped to build the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and aids many causes. 



f^^ AMU EL L. EOSTER. This gentleman 
^^^ may well be numbered among the old set- 
lll/^J tiers (jf Curran Township, as he was born 
here in 1830, and has spent the most of 
the years that have since passed in the township or 
within the county. Perhaps no man now living is 
more familiar with tlie means by wiiicii this section 
of the great Prairie State lias been brought to a 
condition of almost perfect development than Mr. 
Foster, who, as boj' and man, has borne an impor- 
tant part in the labors by which this end has been 
reached. 

In the paternal line Mr. Eoster is of remote 
Welsh ancestry, although a few generations since 
both his paternal and maternal ancestors were liv- 
ing in Virginia. Grandfather Eoster, whose given 
name was Samuel, was born in that State and went 
thence to Kentucky during the early settlement of 
the Blue Grass State. He located in what is now 
Harrison County, but finally removed to Indiana, 
where he passed the remnant of his days. His oc- 
cupation was that of a farmer. Grandfather Mc- 
Kee was also a Virginian and an early settler of 
Harrison Count}', Ky. He died in that county, 
but his widow, coming to Illinois many years ago 
wilh her son-in-law, entered land in Loami Town- 
ship, this county, and there breathed her last. 

The father of our subject was Ivans Foster, who 
was born in Harrison County, Ky., and learned the 



trade of a gunsmith. He was considered one of 
the best workmen in the neighborhood. When but 
eighteen 3'ears old he took part in the War of 
1812. In 1829 he came North with his family, 
traveling with a wagon drawn by oxen, and select- 
ing a location in this county. He bought land on 
section 33, Curran Township, erected a log house 
and undertook the improvement of the place. In 
183j he sold it and, entered three hundred and 
twenty acres on section 27, where he was largely 
engaged in the stock business. He was verj' suc- 
cessful in a business sense and became the owner of 
quite a large tract of land, much of which, how- 
ever, he had sold off prior to his death. That 
event occurred in 18G6, when he was four-score 
years of age. He belonged to tlie Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and held the position of Class- 
Leader. 

The wife of Ivans Eoster was a native of the 
same county as himself and bore the maiden name 
of Margaret McKee. She came of a long-lived 
family and survived to the age of eighty-five years, 
breathing her last April 19, 1880, on the home 
farm in this county. .She was the mother of eight 
children, of whom our subject was the fifth in or- 
der of birth. The first-born, William D., began 
the study of medicine in Springfield, took a course 
of lectures in St. Louis and then went to Scotland, 
partially for the benefit of his health. He con- 
tinued his studies in the medical college at Ediii- 
burg until stricken by smallpox, which caused his 
decease; the second child, Mary .1., is living in 
Curran Township, being the wife of S. W. Dunn. 
Rebecca died in Kentucky and Joel S. at his home 
in this county; John W. is engaged in farming 
not far from our subject; James and an infant, 
Martha J., are deceased. 

The gentleman of whom we write was born June 
29, 1830. and his earliest recollections are of tracts 
of raw and uncultivated land and the primitive 
surroundings of the log cabin in which his child- 
hood was spent. He recalls large tracts covered 
with deer and Iniffalo liorns, and the sight of as 
many as thirty deer in a herd, and [irairie chickens 
by the hundred. The only houses in this locality 
were built of logs, and so also was the schoolhouse 
in which he pored over Webster's Spelling Book 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



405 



and tlie English Reader. Like other children in 
the families of pioneers he began to take a part in 
the labors of the home when scarcely more than a 
child. He drove oxen and guided the wooden 
inoldboard plow, and has not forgotten how ditii- 
ciilt it was to work in the soil which in those dajs 
was quite wet. 

When he was fourteen years old young Foster 
helped to drive cows to G.alena, where English 
gold was received in pa3'ment for them. He re- 
turned home on horseback, this being the onl^' 
trip lie made to the place, although his father fre- 
quently went there. Marketing was generally done 
in St. Louis, one hundred miles distant, and he re- 
calls two trips made' to that place with hogs. The 
drove contained about one hundred head and ten 
miles a day was all that could be covered. His 
father having bnilt a sawmill on Lick Creek, the 
youth gained a good knowledge of milling. When 
he was twenty years old young Foster went to St. 
Clair County and entered McKendree College, an 
institution carried on under the auspices of the 
Methodist Ejiiscopal Chnrch. He spent three 
)'ears there, taking the scientific course, and being 
graduated in 1853 with the degree of Bachelor of 
Science. 

After leaving college Mr. Foster spent about two 
jears in teaching, his first school being near Au- 
burn, the next in Loarai, the next in Salisbury, and 
the last near Bates. He then bought a tract of 
forty acres in Curran Township, which he after- 
ward traded for one hundred and twenty acres in 
Minnesota. In the spring of 1860 he removed 
thither with a team and wagon, camping out by 
the way, and after crossing the Mississippi River 
at Rock Island, going north to St. Paul and thence 
to a point forty miles above in Sherburne County, 
lie made Elk River his home a month, then located 
on his lanil, whicli he farmed for three j'cars. He 
was there during the Indian outbreak, and learning 
of the hostility of the Sioux, he and his neiglibors 
took the women to a place of safet}-, but he re- 
turned to his farm. The depredations of th(; 
savages ceased at a point about thirty miles from 
his home. 

The father of our subject desiring him to enter in 
partnership in the sheep business, he sold his prop- 



erty and in the summer of 1863 returned to this 
county. He had four yoke of oxen which he could 
not sell and so drove them through. Locating on 
Ills father's place he began raising Merino sheep, 
working with the other members of the famil\. 
The venture was successful, the wool selling at 
from eighty cents to *l a pound. During the last 
year in which they were thus engaged they bought 
a large amount of land. In 1866 our subject sold 
out and located on the eighty acres of land he now 
occupies. It wjis all prairie, unimproved, but he 
at once put up a house and began to make it habi- 
table and productive. 

In 1882, on account of the ill-health of his wife, 
Mr. Foster sold his stock, rented his farm, and re- 
moved to Springfield. After living a retired life 
for a year he purchased business property in Cur- 
ran and the stock of general merchandise of O. S. 
Hotchkin, and turned his attention to the business 
of a merchant. He carried on the enterprise for 
four years, assisted by his son, and he was also 
Railroad Agent and Postmaster during that time. 
In 1887 he sold the store, returned to his farm and 
again turned his attention to farming. His landed 
estate now consists of eighty acres on section 21, 
eighty on section 22, and eighty on section 27. It 
is beautified by groves, an orchard of four acres, 
and every improvement in the w.ay of farm Ijuild- 
ings that will add to the comfort of the occupants 
and the convenience with which their work is car- 
ried on. The barns are commodious, the land is 
watered by White Oak Branch, and is further sup- 
plied with the |)nre liquid by means of a windmill 
and tank, from which water is conve3'ed wlu levir 
it is most needed. The latest machinery is used, 
and none but good stock is kept. The cattle are 
full-blooded Short-horns, the hogs Poland-Chin.-i. 
while the horses, both roadsters and draft horses, 
are of a high grade. 

The cherished companion of Mr. Foster bore the 
maiden name of Lydia Lee, was born in Delaware, 
and married in Curran Township December 27, 
1855. Her father, Thomas Lee, kept one of the first 
livery stables in Springfield. Four living children 
bless Mr. and Mrs. Foster with their filial affectii>n. 
The eldest son, Lewis K., is a farmer and merchant, 
making his home in Sherman County, Kan.; Mary 



406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



A. married Archibald Maxwell and is now living 
in Austin, Tex.; Robert L. is in the wire fence 
business inGreenvicw. this State; Maggie M. mar- 
ried James P. Simms and their home is in Riverton. 
Mr. Foster became a Mason when twenty-one 
years old, joining a lodge in Lebanon, and now 
holds a demit from Loami Lodge, No. 110. lie 
also belongs to the Farmers Mutual Benevolent 
Association and is Secretary of Curran Lodge. He 
voted for Gen. Fremont in 1856, and is still found 
stanclily supporting Republican principles. He is 
a member of the Union League, and for many years 
has been a School Director. He belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Wesley Chapel, is 
one of the Trustees of the edifice which he helped 
to build, has been Superintendent of the Sunday- 
school and otherwise useful in the Society. 






lf?„ EZP:KIAH II. BEKCHER, Secretary of the 
\j Water Works of Springfield, is a native 
of the Empire Stale. He was born in Her- 
kimer County July 28, 1821, and is de 
scended from one of the early New Englpml 
families, being able to trace liis ancestry in a di- 
rect line back through five generations to Isaac 
Beecher, the founder of the family in America, 
who was of Welsh birth and settled in Connecti- 
cut. The father of our subject. Almon Beecher, 
was a tanner by trade and during the greater part 
of his life engaged in the manufacture of leather. 
In ISOo he left his native State, Connecticut, and 
removed to New York, where he formed the ac- 
quaintance of Miss Elizabeth Corej% whose hand 
he sought in marriage. His wooing was success- 
ful and they were united in the holy bonds of 
matrimony in the Empire State and lived upon 
one farm for sixty-six j-ears, when the husband 
was called to his final rest in 1872, at the age of 
eight3'-eight years. His wife survived him onlv 
about three years, dying in February. 1875, at the 
age of ninetj-one years. L'nto the worth}- couple 
there were born four children, three sons and a 
daughter. Isaac, the eldest, resides on the old 



homestead in Herkimer County, N. Y.. and upon 
that farm is a cheese factory which has been in 
operation since an early day; Edward died in his 
native county; Elizabeth, widow of William G. 
Graves, is living near the old homestead; and 
Hezekiah H. completes the number. 

Our subject was roared to farming and mechan- 
ical pursuits and in his j'outh also learned the 
tanning business with his father. Having attained 
to mature years, on the 28th of February, 1844, 
he wedded Louisa M. Wheeler and removed to a 
farm about six miles from the old homestead, 
where he operated a tannery until it was destroyed 
by fire in 184'.). He next turned his attention to 
mercantile pursuits and carried on a store in 
Oneida County, N. Y., until 1857, when he emi- 
grated westward. In the newer and less populated 
States of the Mississippi Valley he believed he 
might better his financial condition and choosing 
Wajne County, III., as a location, he worked at his 
trade in Fairfield, also carrying on business as a 
boot and shoe dealer. It was during his residence 
in Fairfield that the late war broke out and he 
entered the army as a sutler, following the for- 
tunes of the Fortieth Illinois Infantry for about 
four years. Returning to the North, he embarked 
in mercantile business in Xenia, Clay County, 
where he continued until 1874, when we find him 
establishc<l in Springtielil as the agent for the Ohio 
& Mississippi Railroad. After four years the agcnc}' 
of that ro.ad was combined with that of the Illinois 
Central and for nine years he continued to serve 
in the dual cap.acity. He was a trusted employe 
of thf railway companies and an obliging official 
who won popularity and the good-will of all with 
whom he came in contact. On quitting the em- 
ploy of the railwaj' companies, he entered the of- 
fice of the S|)ringfield Water Works in the ca- 
pacity of Secretarj', which position he has since 
filled, covering a period of four years. 

The union of H. H. Beecher and Louisa Wheeler 
has been blest with a family of four children, but 
only one of the number is now living — Adelbert, 
who is now in the emploj' of the Pullman car 
service. For eighteen years he was the efficient 
agent at Flora, and during the late war he enlisted 
in the Tenth Ohio Cavalry at the age of seven- 





cIl^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



409 



teen years and served until liis regiment was mus- 
tered out after the cessation of hostilities. Of tlie 
three chihlren deceased Marj' died in Xcnia, at tiie 
age of seventeen years; Cnlista in New York in the 
fiftli year of her age; and Almon Isaac in infancy 
m Fairfield, Wayne C'ount\', 111. 

During his early life Mr. Beeclier was an old- 
line Whig, and 1)}' that party in 185.5 was elected 
to represent Oneida County in the Third District of 
N. Y., in the General Assembly of the Empire 
State. On the organization of the Republican party 
in 1856 he joined its ranks and has since been one 
of its stalwart supporters. He is a member of tiie 
Baptist Church. To the promotion of any enter- 
prise calculated to benefit the public, Mr. P>ecchcr 
gives his support and is numbered among the 
valued and worthy citizens of .S()ringBeld. 




FRANCIS E. DODDS. When a good man 



dies the entire coramunity suffers a loss, al- 
though he may leave an influence that 
widens as the years roll by, through the better lives 
of those who were directly benefited by him. .So 
when the late Francis Dodds was called from time 
to eternity, many felt a personal sense of loss duo 
to the knowledge of his unassuming piety, good 
citizenship and habits of industry and prudence. A 
native of this county, he had become known to a 
large circle and liad pursued a career that had 
won an abundant reward in a financial sense. 

The parents of oursulijeet were .Jose|)h and Mar- 
tha (Drennan) Dodds, who are numbered anjong 
the old settlers of this county. He was liorn in 
Ball Townshi|), January 27, 1829, and grew to man- 
hood on his father's farm, where he continued to 
reside until his marriage. He then operated rented 
land two years, after which he bought a tract on 
section 21, Pawnee Township, and devoted him- 
self so assiduously to his chosen work that he 
accumulated a fine property. At the time of his 
death be owned four hundred acres of prime land 
on which he had erected a full line of excellent farm 
buildings ami made the improvements which 
stamped it as one of the most vaUiablo farms in the 
vicinity. 



The indy whom Mr. Dodds won for his wife bore 
the maiden name of I'aulina K. Fletcher. .She is 
a daughter of Ca])t. Job and Frances (Brown) 
Fletcher, natives of Todd County, Ky., who were 
among the early settlers of this county. They 
breathed their last in Ball Township, the mother in 
January, 1880, and the father in 3Iarch, 188,3. 
Tlie}- had eight sons and daughters, of whtun Mrs. 
Dodds w.as the sixth in order of birth. She was 
born in Ball Township, February 15, 18.37, and 
was joined in holy wedlock to our subject in Spring- 
field, February 22, 1855. She now occupies the 
homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, to which 
she holds the title. 

Four children came to bless the union of Mr. 
and j\Irs. Dodds: Martha F. is now the wife of Wil- 
liam Kcisacker; Virginia E. married N. E. Kenney ; 
Henrietta A. is the wife of G. C. Baker; John S. 
died when about ten years old. The mother has 
been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church since she was sixteen years old and the de- 
ceased father was likewise a well-respected member. 
The consolations of religion cheered the dying 
hours of Mr. Dodds and comforted his widow in 
her bereavement. The date of the demise of our 
subject was October 18, 1880. He had taken an 
active interest in the affairs of the neighborhooil, 
although not an olliee seeker but a man who at- 
tended strictly to his |)ersonal affairs and the duties 
of citizenship. Socially, he was a prominent member 
of the Masonic order, holding membership in Au- 
burn, 111., and belonged to the Blue Lodge and 
Ko3'al Arch Masons. 

The portrait of the late Mr. Dodds, presented 
in connection with this brief history, will be wel- 
comed by his many friends as a valuable addition 
to this v(>lume, which aims to perpetuate the life 
records and features of many of Sangamon County's 
most prominent citizens. 



R. ULRICII, the subject of our sketch, is 
the senior member of the firm of E. R. Ul- 
rich & Son, grain merchants of Springfield. 
He has been engaged in this business for the past 
fifteen years and has elevators at the following 



410 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



named places: lUiopolis, Lanesville, Buffalo, Daw- 
son, Cantiall, Ciinan, Bates. Loami. and Locke. 
He buys grain at all places on the St. Louis, Alton 
& Springfield Railwa}-, is doing atliriving business, 
and has his office over the First National Bank. 

Mr. Ulrich was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., 
on the Hudson River. October 10, 1829, being the 
son of A. L. Ulrich, the well-known manufacturer 
of New York Stale. AVhen twelve years of age our 
suhjjcl came witli his vvidowed mother to Spring- 
field and here received a fair education. His mother 
died in 1888 after attaining her ninetieth year. Her 
maiden name was Henrietta Von Raisenkampff. 

Our subject's first start in the mercantile world 
was in the lumber business, and at a later date he 
was a prominent dealer in cattle, and he also farmed 
larf^ely in Sangamon, Christian, Hancock and other 
counties; and in connection with all these different 
enterprises he entered into the grain business in 
1875. Most of his .attention is now given to the 
latter, and the charge of his nun\erous elevators, the 
heavy responsibility of buying and selling occupy- 
ing the chief part of his time. He averages a busi- 
ness of about fifteen hundred thonsand bushels of 
"•rain annuall}', ship[)ing to man}' different points. 
Indeed, he does the largest grain business in Central 
Illinois, and since 1888 has been associated with 
his son, E. R. Jr., the firm name being as above 
quoted. 

Mr. Ulrich married Miss ]Maria Vredenburgh, 
dau"^hter of John L. Vredenburgli, of Springfield, 
on March 20, 18.53. Of this union eleven children 
were born, seven of whom are living, viz: -\. L., 
manufacturer and owner of a sawmill in Wiscon- 
sin ; E. R.; Katherina, at home; Charles, at home; 
Henrietta. Paul and Ruth. 

Our subject is numbered among the most prosper- 
ous and highly respected business men in the large 
and flourishing city of Springfield that is noted for 
its beaut}-, progress, and also as being the Capital of 
one of the finest States in the Union. He is a very 
active and busy man. devoting the greater part of 
his attention to the one line of business and making 
it a great success. Lives like his if taken as models 
by the youth of our country would do much to 
elevate the standard of men and to promote the 
welfare of this glorious country of ours. Mr. Ul- 



rich realizes fully that each day we are sowing 
seeds of good or seeds of evil, and is making noble 
use of his talents. If we are indeed "weavers" as 
is represented, and one and all are weaving a web 
of brightness or gloom that shall be open before 
our eyes in the world to come, it were certainly 
wise to rank among the spinners of "bright pat- 
erns," and follow the callings of life faithfully and 
well. 

\f|OHN F. VIGAL. The farmers of Cotton 
Hill Township, have contributed not a little 
to the general upbuilding of the count}-. 
Our subject, a native of the count}', though 
a young man occupies an honorable position among 
these men and is the proprietor of a farm on sec- 
tion C. in the township mentioned, which is as well 
developed and as higldy tilled as any in its vicin- 
it}'. He is a son of Alfred and Diana (Carpenter) 
Vigal, natives respectively of Indiana and Ohio. 
Tlie father is a prosperous farmer near Litchfield, 
111. To him and his good wife have been born a 
famil}- of six children, two sons and four daugh- 
ters. 

John F. is the second child and the eldest son of 
his parents. He was born here January .30, 1860, 
and was reared to manhood in Cotton Hill Town- 
ship, of which he has always been a resident. He 
was educated in the common schools, and quite 
early in life adopted agriculture as his life work, he 
having been bred to that pursuit and having a 
natural taste for it. He has one iiundred and fifty- 
five acres of choice land, whose fertile soil yields 
him good harvests and he has here all the im- 
provements which constitute a well-ordered farm. 
He and his amiable wife have a cozy home and its 
hospitalities are well-known among their numerous 
friends. Mr. .and Mrs. Vigal (whose maiden 
name was May M. Matthew,) were wedded in Cotton 
Hill Township, January 1, 1888. Mrs. Vigal is a 
native of that township and was born September 
19, 1864. 

Mr. Vigal possesses many estimable traits of 
character, is endowed with activit}', persistence 
and a good capacitj' for well-directed labor, which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM: 



411 



will in time place him in the forefront among the 
leading farmers of his native township. He is 
keenly alive to the interests of his native place and 
does all in his power to push all schemes forward 
that will in any way enhance its growth or elevate 
its status. He has filled the position of Township 
Collector two terras and makes a fine civic olflcial. 
In politics he is a thorough Republican and stands 
by his party through thick and thin. 

Mrs. Vigal's parents are Oscar F. and Margaret 
(Britton) Matthew, natives respectively of Indiana 
and Ohio. Mr. ilatthew was born Januarj' 30, 1824, 
and Mrs. Matthew was born December 2, 1821. 
They were married in Cotton Hill Township, and 
here spent their entire wedded life. The father 
died in the home that he and his good wife had 
built up here, February 12, 1882. The mother sur- 
vives and is a resident of Cotton Hill Township. 
They had a family of nine children of whom iMrs. 
Vigal is the youngest; six are now living: AVin- 
field Scott, of California; John B, a physician at 
Mt. Auburn, 111.; Rebecca J., widow of Daniel 
Poffenbarger, of Edinburg, 111. ; Thomas L. of 
Rochester, 111.; Nathan L., of Cotton Hill Town- 
ship, and the wife of our subject. 



-^»t^>»-j»s> 



i^J*^"^*?^ 



^p^ AMUEL S. and .JAMES W. McELVAIN. 
^^^ These brothers are among the leading busi- 

'\L£J)) '^^^^ '^'^" *^^ ^^^ county, devoting their en- 
ergies to farming and stock-raising. They 
own three hundred and twenty acres of land on 
sections 15 and IG, Auburn Township, the old 
homestead farm, and rank second to none in the 
high grade of stock which they raise. Their enter- 
prise and business ability have made them widely 
known, while their upright dealings have won 
them an enviable reputation. 

The McElvain family is of Scotch descent. The 
great-grandfather of the brothers, a Scotchman b3' 
birth, settled in \'irginia at a very early day and in 
that State their grandfather Samuel McElvain, was 
born. He was a relative of Bishop McElvain, of 
Cincinnati. During the early history of Kentucky 
he emigrated to that Stale, settling in Adair County 



where he followed farming. He was the owner of 
a large plantation but was never a slaveholder, as 
his principles were against human bondage. He 
served in the War of 1812 and took part in the 
famous battle of New Orleans under Gen. Jackson. 

William A. McElvain, the father of the brothers, 
was born in Adair County, Ky., and was but six 
years of age when with his family he came to San- 
gamon County, 111. His father entered land on sec- 
tion 21, Auburn Township, and after buildinga log 
house ran a tavern. He had the honor of enter- 
taining both Lincoln and Douglas. In those early 
days many hardships and trials common to frontier 
life were borne by the family and AVilliam McElvain 
had his share in the same. The occupation to 
which he was reared he made his life work,— farm- 
ing and stock-raising, and died leaving an extensive 
business. He has driven as high as fifteen hundred 
head of cattle to market at St. Louis, and as a part- 
ner of Mr. Patterson, which connection was continued 
through eleven years, he did the largest stock busi- 
ness in the southern part of the count3-. From 
time to time he also made judicious investments in 
land. He purchased six hundred acres of raw land 
iu Harrison Countj', Mo., which he sold at a good 
advance prior to his death. He was an industrious 
and energetic business man, never idle, and contin- 
ued in active life until his last illness. He pos- 
sessed wonderful foresight, resorted to none of the 
petty tricks which often mark the career of a success- 
ful business man, but by an upright course won the 
confidence and respect of all with whom he came in 
contact. Progressive and public-spirited, he aided 
in the advancement of the county's interests and 
was especially active in introducing the best meth- 
ods of education. In temperance work he was a 
power for good and though not a church member 
he attended and gave liberally to the support of 
the Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a stal- 
wart supporter of Republican principles and kept 
himself well informed on the leading issues of the 
day. His death was caused from heart disease and 
for a year and a half prior to his decease he was un- 
able to attend to business. He passed away June 
26, 1890, and the county lost one of its best and 
most honored citizens. 

The wife of William McElvain was in her maid- 



412 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



enliood Miss Augeline A. Sowell. She was born in 
Loami Township, tliis county, August 27, 18:35, 
anil was a daughlei' of Stephen Sowell, a native of 
Virginia. lie married Jane Hanua of the same 
State, wliose fatlicr enlisted in the Revolutionarj' 
War and was killed. In 1830 they came to Sanga- 
mon County, where he engaged in farming and 
stock-raising until his death. The marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. Mc.Elvain was celebrated on the 1st of 
November, 1853, and unto them were born eight 
children, — Charles and Harriet died in childhood; 
Howard, of Georgetown, Col. ; Samuel S. and James 
W. ; Nellie J., who died in Sandy ville, Iowa, 
whither she had gone in the hope of improving her 
health; Maggie A. and Lizzie G. at home. 

The elder of the McElvain brothers, Samuel S., 
was born on the old homestead farm August 27, 
1860, and the common-school education which he 
acquired in his youth was supplemented by a course 
in the Auburn High School, froui which he was 
graduated at the age of nineteen. He then fitted 
liimself for business by a course in the P)usiness 
College of Springfield, fiom which he graduated in 
1882. So efficient and thorough had he been in his 
studies that lie was emi)loyed as teacher in the col- 
lege, but after one term he returned to his home as 
his services were needed ui)on the farm. In the 
meantime his brother James, whose birth occurred 
February 20, 1862, had been graduated from the 
Auburn High School and together they took upon 
themselves the management of the farm, which they 
operated until after their father's death, when they 
were made executors of the estate. They sold over 
^■1,000 worth of stock and then still had upon 
the farm large nvinibers of cattle, horses and hogs. 
The farm comprises three hundred and twenty acres 
of land which is devoted to the cultivation of grain 
and used for pasturage. It has many improvements, 
including two residences, large barns and every- 
thing necessary to a model farm. The home of the 
brothers, a commodious and tasty structure, was 
erected in 1876. The land is valued at $75 per 
acre. They have two windmills and tanks, five 
miles of tiling and a large apple and apricot 
orciiard. Their home is pleasantly situated about 
a mile and a half from Auburn, where they can thus 
easily obtain all the city luxuries. They have 



made stock-raising their principal business however, 
buying, feeding and shipping stock in large num- 
bers, 'I hey ship from one hundred to one hundred 
and fifty head of cattle, mostl}' Short-horn, per 
year and from one hundred and fifty to three hun- 
dred head of hogs of the Poland-China breed. 
They also have upon their farm twenty-three bead 
of horses including fine draft and standard breeds. 
Their trotter, Mambrino Queen, has a record of 
2:26 1-4. She has taken the premiums at all the 
fairs since a colt and has made the fastest mile rec- 
ord on the Alton track and is the fastest trotting 
mare ever bred in Sangamon County. The McEl- 
vain brothers have inherited the excellent business 
ability of their father. Both are members of the 
Masonic Lodge of Auburn and in politics are sup- 
porteis of the Republican party. 



yvIj^IMBER BROS. The firm of lumber Bros. 
<? was organized in 1883 and occupies one 
of the best locations in the city of Si)riug- 
) field. The gentlemen who comprise it are 
T. C. and J. A. Kimber, whose father was con- 
nected with the mercantile life of tlie city from 
18511 until a recent period, and the business abil- 
ity which he manifested is reproduced in the per- 
sons of his sons, whose standing is assured. The 
store now occu[)ied b\' the Kimber Bros, is 26x140 
feet, finely lighted, well arranged, and supplied 
with a No. 1 stock of drygoods, cloaks and mil- 
linery. Tlie large and beautiful assortment (jf 
goods, the convenient arrangement of the sales- 
rooms, and the perfect courtesy manifested by the 
employes, insure the return of those who once 
enter the establishment, and the enterprise and 
tact manifested by the firm in advertising their 
business is productive of the best results. 

The original establishment with which the name 
of Kimber w£s connected was opened on the west 
side of the Square and conducted for six months 
by Kimber it: Stewart. The junior partner was 
then bought out by Mr. Ragsdale and the new 
firm continued in operation for twenty-five years, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



413 



mainly at Nos. 508 and 510 on the south side of 
the Square. This location is occupied by a build- 
ing erected by the firm in 1867, which is still one 
of tlie best storerooms in the citj'. The firm of 
Kimber & Ragsdale was dissolved in 1883 and the 
same year the firm of which we write began busi- 
ness at No. 202 South Sixth Street, where the3' re- 
mained until the beginning of 1887, when they 
tooi\ possession of their present store. 

Wesle}- Kimber, the original merchant of the 
Kimber name in Springfield, was born in Belle- 
ville, St. Clair County, this State, February 23, 
183G. His father, the Rev. Isaac C. Kimbor, one 
of ilie pioneers of Methodism in this State, was 
located in different places in accordance with the 
itinerancy sj'stem of his denoniinalion. For some 
lime he resided in Springfield, being Presiding 
Kklcr of the District. The Kimber Church in Dan- 
ville was named in his honor, and in that city he 
laid aside the toils of earth to enter upon his eter- 
nal reward. Elder Kimber was a native of Browns- 
ville, Pa., as was his wife, Elizabeth Jane Amos. 

Wesley Kimber pursued his studies in the col- 
lege at Springfield, in Illinois College at Jackson- 
sonvillc, and in a commercial college at Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. He began his business life as a salesman 
for the old house of Yates & Smith in the capital 
and left in J.inuarj', 1858, to embark in the dry- 
goods business at Quinc\- under the stjde of James 
]\I. Kimber & I>ro. After a few months he re- 
turned to the Capital, which has been his home 
viituall_v since 1856. He won for his wife Miss 
Maiy E. Ragsdale, a daughter of his future partner, 
an estimable lady who was l)orn in the Capital 
City. To this good couple have come six children, 
of whom tliose now living are: Thomas C, James 
A., Ella, Clara and May. The oldest daughter is 
the wife of the Rev. R. G. Hobbs, now located in 
Paxton. Mr. Kimber is one of the Stewards of the 
First Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to 
the Odd Fellows fraternit}', but has not been iden- 
tified with political affairs. 

T. C. Kimber, senior member of the firm of Kim- 
ber Bros., was born June 19, 1860, in the city 
which is still his home. He obtained a thorough 
pr.actical education in the public schools, being 
gradiuited after having finished the course of studj- 



in the High School. He then devoti d his energies 
to the dry-goods business in his father's store until 
1882, wlicn he became a book-keeper in the P'irst 
National I'.ank. He afterward became correspond- 
ent in that institution, remaining there until the 
organizalion of the dry-goods firm. He has now 
charge of the office and financial department of the 
establishment, this being the part of the woi'k for 
which his bent of mind peculiarly fits him. He is 
connected with the Illinois National Bank as a 
stock-holder. 

James A. Kimber was also educated in Spring- 
field and before the opening of the firm of which 
he is a member, was oraploj'ed by Kimber <fe Rags- 
dale. Both the Kimber Bros, arc honorable in their 
dealings, imbued with the American spirit of pro- 
gress, are well posted regarding important affairs of 
the State and nation, and give promise of having 
successful careers in life. 



AMES H. WISE, Sii. It needs but a glance 
at the various estates which make up the 
greater part of the territory of Sangamon 
County to determine in a large degree the 
character of the occupants. Poor and inadequate 
buildings, tumbled down fences and fields in which 
the weeds struggle f jr the mastery with thin crops 
afford conclusive evidence of the shiftlessness of 
the manager, while neat fences, carefully-tilled 
fields and well-kept buildings afford equally conclu- 
sive proof that he is characterized by thrift, energy 
and determination. 

The gentleman whose life will be briefly sketched 
below is an honor to the agricultural commu- 
nit}- of Williams Township, where he owns a fine 
tract of improved land .and has a pleasant home. 
He was born in Hamilton County. Ohio, November 
6, 1825, and spent his early years in the log house 
which sheltered the family and which was one of 
the two or three buildings composing the village 
of Cummingsville. This hamlet was then about 
four miles from (Cincinnati but is now included in 
it. The lad attended school until twelve }'enrs old 
in the old-fashioned log houses with puncheon floor 



414 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ami homemade furniture which are common in 
sparsely settled districts. 

Our subject lost his father when he was seven 
joars old and then became an inmate of the house- 
hold of John Shoemaker in Dearborn C'ountj', Ind. 
After living; witli that gentleman three years he 
van off and making his way to Cincinnati soon 
afterward accompanied liis mother to .Jefferson 
County in the Hoosier State. He worked out un- 
til he was twenty-one j'ears old. then learned tlie 
carpenter's trade which he followed steadily for 
six years. In 1851 he purchased a small farm 
in Riple\' County, Ind., and sojourned upon it for 
seven years, then sold it with the intention of locat- 
ing in Illinois. Owing to the ill-health of his wife 
he postponed his removal for a year or two. 

In the fall of 1864 IMr. Wise carried out his in- 
tention of becoming a citizen of this State and es- 
tablished himself on rented land in P''aney Creek 
Townshi|), this county. After operating as a renter 
for two 3ears he purchased the fine farm upon 
which he has since lived. It consists of one hundred 
and lift}- acres which, under careful and intelligent 
handling, produces abundantly of the fruits of the 
earth and yields an income adequate to supply the 
wants of the famil}'. The estate has been furnished 
with everything needful in the way of improve- 
ments and with many adornments such as befit the 
abode of prosperous and refined people. 

Mr. Wise is descended from excellent families, 
his father, George Wise, having been a native of 
Virginia and his mother, Sarah (McLaughlin) Wise, 
a native of Kentucky. The father of our subject, 
a painter by trade, was a frugal and industrious 
man. He established himself in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, at quite an earlj' day and died there in 1832. 
His widow survived until 1873 and was about 
sixty-live years old when called from time to eter- 
nit}'. She belonged to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and faithfully labored to discharge the 
duties she owed to her nine children, five of whom 
now survive. The maternal grandfather of our 
subject was George McLaughlin, who removed 
from the Blue Grass .State to Ripley Count}', Ind., 
and became well known in that section. His occu- 
pation was that of a farmer. He died about 1845. 

The marriage rites were solemnized between our 



subject and Miss Sally Risk November 6, 1851. 
The Inide was born in .Jefferson County. Ind., 
February 8, 1829, her parents being Robert and 
P>lraira (Thornton) Risk, who were born in Ken- 
tucky and A'ermont respectively. Mr. Risk died 
in 1829 but Mrs. Risk is still living and is now 
eighty-three years old. She belongs to the Baptist 
Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Wise the following 
named children have come: Millard F., born April 
14, 1853; George R., December 9, 1854; James H., 
September 10, 1857; Rosa. August 2, 1858; Emma 
J., October 14, 1861; Morton B., June 27, 1865. 
Of this farail}' Rosa and Morton have crossed the 
river of death. 

Mr. Wise takes no active part in politics but 
firmly believes in the worth of Republican doctrines 
and su|iports them with his vote. A worthy citizen, 
intelligent, high-minded and strictly honorable he 
stands high in the community, and his estimable 
wife is equally well regarded by those to whom she 
is known. Both belong to the Christian Church 
and endeavor to make their daily life and conver- 
sation correspond to their profession. 



i^OBERT H. PATTON. This gentleman be- 
longs to the legal fraternit}-, and although 
/4i \\\ it has been but a few years since he was ad- 
mitted to the bar, he is already taking high 
rank in the profession. He is a member of the law 
firm of Orendorfl ii Fatton, and having taken the 
place of Judge J. A. Creighton when that gentle- 
man vvas elected Circuit Judge, he stepped at once 
into a large practice. He is a busy man, finding 
occupation for eveiy moment in studying the bear- 
ings of important cases, thus adding to his prepara- 
tion for that which may be placed in his hands in 
the future, and taking a considerable part in the 
political work of the vicinity. 

Like many other of our young lawyers, Mr. Pat- 
ton is a native of the county, born in Auburn 
Township, January 18, 1860. His grandfather, 
Col. James Patton, is numbered among the earliest 
settlers of this county. He came hither from Ken- 
tucky, where Mathew Patton. the father of our 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



415 



sulijeet. was born. In tlie same State, Margaret J. 
McElvain opened her 6368 to the light. She also 
came to this county some years since and here she 
was united in marriage to Matliew Patton. The 
union was blessed by the birth of eight children, of 
whom six are now living: William D. resides at 
Osceola, Neb.; Elizabotli A. is the wife of .Tames 
B. Fletcher, their home being near Auburn; James 
S. lives not far from the same town; Charles M. 
occupies the old lioniestead; Margaret S. is the 
wife of John B. Abell, of Breckenridge, this county; 
Robert II. is the subject of our sketch. The mother 
died June 2, 1865, and the father September 16, 
1878. 

The gentleman of whom we write attended the 
common schools and High School at Auburn, after 
which he took a complete course in the Illinois 
Wesleyan University at Bloomlngton. He was 
graduated in 1883 with the degree of Bachelor of 
Science, and two years later had the degree of 
Master of Science conferred upon him. Prior to 
his attendance at the university, he had spent two 
years clerking in his brother's drug store in Auburn. 
His tastes leading him to the stud^' of law, he be- 
gan his i)reparatiou for the bar with Messrs. Pat- 
ton & Hamilton, and for a short lime attended the 
Bloomlngton Law School. He was admitted to the 
bar in June, 1885, in a class of thirty-three, and re- 
ceived the highest markings given during the ex- 
amination. The following September he formed 
the partnership which has given him abundant 
opportunities to show his natural ability, and the 
training which he has received for the legal pro- 
fession. 

When the cares of the day are laid aside Mr. Pat- 
ton finds rest and enjoyment in a home which is 
[uesided over by a lady of culture and refinement. 
This lady bore the maiden name of Mary Etta Gor- 
don, and became the wife of our subject September 
22, 1886. She is a daughter of Benjamin A. Gor- 
don, a well-known resident of Springfield. Two 
interesting children add the charms of busy child- 
hood to the home. Robert Goidon was born De- 
cember It, 1887, and Howard Samuel, June 25, 
1889. 

In 1888 Mr. Patton renounced all allegiance to 
the Democratic party, and cast in his lot with the 



Proljibitionists. The same year he was nominated 
as a candidate for the Legislature and polled three 
thousand eight hundred and nine votes, nearly 
twice the strength of the party. In 1 890 he be- 
came a candidate for Congress and made a strong 
canvass of the district, running considerably ahead 
of the ticket. Although the Prohibition party is 
not the leading one, he is able to convince many 
who hear his addresses that the liquor question is 
one of vital iin|)ortance, and he also gains votes by 
his personal strength as a man of intelligence and 
thoroughly upright, character. He is a member of 
the Central Baptist Church, in wliich he holds the 
office of Deacon. 

The office of Orendorff & Patton contains some 
valuable mementoes of one whom the Nation, and 
this State in particular, delights to honor as one 
of her noblest sons. The firm have in their posses- 
sion a number of old books, reports, etc., which 
once belonged to the martyred Lincoln, and con- 
tain his autograph. There also may be seen the 
taljle on vvhich President Lincoln wrote his famous 
speech, in which he declared that no Nation could 
long exist, half slave and half free. 



i—4M-y-^-: 



<«i I^ILLIAM G. MILLER is a native of this 
\/jJ// county, a son of one of its earl}' pioneers, 
\^^ and for many years has been interested in 
its agriculture. He is a practical, sagacious farmer 
and stock-raiser and carries on his farming opera- 
tions after good methods, so that his homestead in 
Loami Township is under the best of tillage and 
highly improved in every respect. 

Mr. Miller was born in Chatham Township Feb- 
ruary 3, 1838. His father, Jacob Miller, was born 
in Bourbon County, Ky., and came to Sangamon 
County as early as 1825. He found here but verj' 
few white settlers, and where he located on Gov- 
ernment land in Chatham Township, his nearest 
neighbors were from four to six miles away. He 
lived in an old log cabin with no floor for man}' 
years. He was i)rospered in his undertakings and 
developed a fine estate of four hundred acres of 



416 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



land. He served in the War of 1812 and was near 
Teciimsch when he was killed. In 1862 this 
venerable pioneer pas.^ed away at the ripe age of 
seventy-six years, leaving behind him the record 
of a gooil life, well-spent. He was for many years 
a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife was 
also of that faith. Mrs. Miller's maiden name was 
Luciua Poats. and she was iiorn in Virginia. Her 
parents removed to Ker)tacky in a very early d.ay. 
.She died on the old homestead in 1878. 

Our subject was one of thirteen children, of 
whom six are living, and he was born in a two- 
story log house built by his father. He attended 
a subscription school taught in a log schoolhonse 
and obtained the best education afforded by the 
times. lie began farming for himself when he was 
twenty years of age. While he was busy raanng- 
ing his fanning interests the war broke out, and as 
soon as he could arrange his affairs he volunteered 
to aid in suppressing the rebellion. He was in tlie 
Hush and vigor of early manhood when he enlisted 
August 9, 1802, in the Seventy-third Illinois In- 
fanlry. He was with his regiment at Perrysville, 
Stone River, Chickamauga, Franklin, Nashville 
and Missionary Ridge. In all these battles he 
proved himself to be possessed of excellent sol- 
dierly (lualitios. performed his duties faithfullv, 
and faced the enemy bravely in the most hotly- 
contested engagements. While fighting at Mis- 
sionary Ridge he was wounded 1)3' a ball in his left 
.■uin and was taken to the hospital at Nashville, 
where he passed the following vvinter. The next 
spring he had rheumatism and was disabled for duty 
for six months. The most of this time was spenl 
in the Cumberland fielil hospital. He rejoined 
his regiment soon after the capture of Atlanta and 
remained witli it until the close of the war. He 
was mustered out at Nashville .Tunc 12, 18G.5. 

After the close of the war Mr. Miller returned 
home and resumed farming. The following year 
he took unto himself a wife in the person 
of Miss Sarah A. Hall, to whom he was wedded 
June 28, 186G. Mrs. Miller is also a native of this 
county, and is a daughter of Thompson and P]ve- 
linc Hall, early settlers of this part of the State. 
Eight children have been born of this marriage — 
Minnie and Madison, both deceased; Oscar, Lucy 



E., Walter, Edna, Nellie, and a child that died in 
infancy. 

Mr. Miller has a fine place and a cozy home in 
this township. His two hundred and twenty acres 
of land are of soil of exceptional fertility and yield 
him large harvests. His buildings are in good order 
and he has a complete sup()ly of farming machinerj' 
of all kinds. He is a man of sound common sense, 
possesses judgment and foresight in a good degree 
and manages his affairs with due discretion, so that 
his position is among our most intelligent and suc- 
cessful agriculturists. He was reared a Whig and 
after the formation of the Republican party natur- 
ally fell into its ranks and has aided in the de- 
liberations of his .fellow-Republicans as a delegate 
to various conventions. He knew Abraham Lin- 
coln and is a great admirer of his noble character. 
Socially he is connected with the Grand Army of 
the Republic and is a member of the Farmers' JIu- 
tual Benevolent Association. Both he and his wife 
are members in good standing of the Methodist 
Church. 



f/OHN TODD GRIMSLEY, of the firm of 
Herndon & Co., is one of the leading mer- 
chants and prominent business men of 
Springfield. The firm has a commodious 
double store, comprising three floors, and advan- 
tageously located on the corner of Adams and Fifth 
Streets, and is carr3"ing on a very extensive busi- 
ness in the sale of general dry-goods and cloaks. 
This is one of the largest and most prominent firms 
in this city, doing an annual business of -1200,000 
and employing a force of sixty-three hands. 

Our subject is a native of Springfield, and was 
born February 3, 1848, to Harrison and Elizabeth 
(Todd) Grimsley, natives respectively of Kentucky 
and Illinois. They were pioneers of this county ,com- 
ing here as earl^- as 1827, and Mr. Grimslev was one 
of the earl}- merchants of this city. He carried on 
a general mercantile business on the same corner 
until 1861. After tlie war broke out he threw aside 
his business and all personal aims, to take part in 
suppressing the great Rebellion, but his military 







[l,M, ^(rcJu^dojL 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



419 



career was tinfortnnately cut short by his death of 
army fever in Georgia, January ;), 1865. He left 
two chihhen, onr subject'an rWilliam. tlie latter 
of whom died August] 10, 1887. 

Mrs. Grimsley, now Mrs. Dr. Brown, is still liv- 
ing and is greatly resjjected by all who know her. 
.She is a daugliter of Dr. John Todd, who was dur- 
ing his life one of the most prominent physicians of 
this city and county. He was a native of Ken- 
tucky and was one of the earliest graduates of 
Transylvania University at Lexington. He was 
subsequently graduated from the Medical Univer- 
sity, of Philadelphia, Pa. He v.'as married in Lex- 
ington, Ky., to Klizabeth Smith, a daughter of the 
Rev. John Blair Smith. D. 1).. and a native of Pliil- 
adelpliia. Dr. Todd was appointed Surgeon-Gen- 
eral of the Kentucky troops in tlie War of 1812, and 
after peace was declared lie returned to Lexington 
and practiced there. In 1817 he removed to Ed- 
warilsville. III., and in 1828 was appointed by 
President John (^>uincy Adams, Register of the 
United States Land Ottice at Springfield, where he 
subsequently made his home during the rest of his 
life. After his removal from otlice in 182;», by 
President Jackson for political reasons, he devoted 
Ills whole time to his professional work, and ac- 
quired a large practice not only here but in ad- 
joining counties. He was a man of high character, 
of genert>us impulses, and was widely known and 
loved. During the latter part of his life he was an 
earnest raemlier of the First Presbyterian Church, 
of which he was a Ruling Elder for some years. He 
died January 9, 1865, and Springfield was thus de- 
prived of one of its most honored and venerated 
citizens. 

John Todd Grimsley of this sketch, completed 
his education in the cit3' schools, and has been in 
the mercantile business all of his active life, and a 
member of the same firm for twenty-two years. He 
is systematic, prompt and enterprising In his busi- 
ness dealings, and is withal true and upright in all 
his relations, whether of a business or social nature. 
He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks, and stands among the first citizens 
of this his native city. 

Mr. Grimsley and Miss Cornelia Messier, of Som- 
erville, N. J., celebrated their marriage December 



12, 1871. It has been blessed to them by the birth 
of one child, Mary Swift. Mrs. Grimsley is a 
daughter of the Rev. Dr. Messier, now deceased, 
who was for forty-seven jears the pastor of the 
First Reformed Church of Raritan, at Somerville, 
N. J. 



-S^^* 



% 



\J! MILTON LOCHRIDGE, who resides on 
section 4, Auburn Township, and whose 
portrait a()pears on the o])posite page, is one 
/ of the extensive landowners of the county, 
his possessions aggregating some five hundred acres. 
For manj' years he did an extensive business in 
farming anrl stock-raising but has now partially re- 
tired from the more arduous duties of life, having 
bj' his industry and enterprise in former years 
gained a handsome competence which supplies all 
his wants and leaves him a good surplus. 

The Locliridge family is of Scottish origin. The 
grandfather of our subject, John Locliridge, was 
born in Scotland and when a child accompanied his 
[lai-ents to this country, the family locating in Vir- 
ginia. At the earl}' age of sixteen years he en- 
listed in the Colonial Army under Gen. Washington 
and served until the close of the war. During that 
time he had many narrow encounters with the In- 
dians and often saved his life by swimming a stream 
and thus escaping his savage foes. He was an ex- 
pert swimmer, possessed great strength, and a 
splendid physique, being strong and powerful, and 
tipping the beam at two hundred and thirt^'-five 
pounds. He l)ecame an early settler of Indiana, 
where he had ample opportunity for indulging his 
love of hunting. He made farming his business 
and afterward removed to Jlontgomery County, 
Ky., where he owned four hundred acres of land. 
Selling out, he came to Illinois in 1835 and with 
his son William located land in what is now Ball 
Township. He became one of the well-to-do citi- 
zens of the community, was prominent in public 
affairs, for tliirty years w.as an Elder in the Pres- 
byterian Church and died at the very advanced age 
of ninety-four years at the home of his daughter, 
Mrs. Bridges. 

John Locliridge, the father of onr subject, was 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



born in Scott Count.y, Ky., where be was reared and 
followed farming and wagon-making. He was an 
t-xcellent mechanic and liis taste in that direction 
led him to take up the latter pursuit. In 1824 he 
removed to Owen County. Ky., where he owned and 
o[)erated five hundred acres of land. He also served 
as Colonel in the State Militia. The year 1839 
witnessed his arrival in Illinois. He purchased 
three hundred acres of land on Lick Creek, where 
William Foster now lives and engaged in farming 
until 1852, when attracted by the discovery of gold 
ill Cnliforni.a, he started witli an ox-team to make 
the overland trip but was taken sick and died at 
Sweet Water, Ore. lie was known as Capt. Loch- 
rid^cand his genial manner made him many friends. 
Ill political sentiment he was a Whig and in re- 
ligious belief a Presbj'terian. 

His wife, whose maiden name was Margery Kil- 
lough, was a native of Pennsylvania and a daugh- 
ter of James Killough, who was also born in the 
Keystone State and was of Welsh extraction. He 
became an early settler of Montgomery County, 
Ky.. and his farm of one hundred acres adjoined 
tliat of Elder Lochridge. In 1823 he removed to 
Owen County, Ind.. and settling on White River 
improved four or five one-hundred acre tracts of 
land. His death there occurred. In his younger 
days he followed teaching. He was a fine scholar, 
also an excellent surveyor and in political senti- 
ment was a Whig. The mother of our subject died 
in Montgomery County, Ky., at the home of her 
S'ln James. Her children were, Mrs. Nancy Hart, 
wliodied in Indiana; J. Milton of this sketch; 
James W., a farmer of Arkansas; Mrs. Martha J. 
Smith, of Chatham ; Matthew K. died in California; 
Mrs. Elizabeth Curve^' in Chatham Township, and 
Andrew in Owen County, Ind., of cholera; Mrs. 
Louisa Steele, of Owen County, Ind. 

J. IMilton Lochridge was born Januarj' 18, 1814, 
in Montgomery County, K3-., in the midst of the 
fnmous Blue Grass region. Upon a farm be received 
his first lessons in business life and in a log school- 
In use with its puncheon floor, slab seats and greased 
paper windows, he acrpiired his literary education. 
At the age of ten years the family went to Indiana 
but he spent about as much time in Kentucky as in 
that .State. In 1837 he came to Illinois with his 



grandfather to help him bring a quantity of money 
which was carried in their saddle-bags, our subject 
having $1,100 in specie with him. He then settled 
upon liis father's farm and remained at home until 
his marriage, which was celebrated July 2. 1840, in 
Auburn Township. He married Miss Jane Nuck- 
olls, who was born in Madison County, 111., Octo- 
ber 11, 1819. and is a daughter of James Nuckolls, 
a native of Virginia. V\'hen a babe of a year she 
was brought by her parents to this count}' where 
her maidenliooil days were passed. 

Mr. Lochridge made his first purchase of land in 
1839, becoming the owner of one hundred acres of 
land in Chatham Township, upon wiiich he located 
at the time of his marriage. In 1841 he traded 
that farm for one hundred and ten acres in Ball 
Township, andafter improving that tract and plac- 
ing it under cultivation, he sold it in 1848 and 
purchased raw land in Chatham Townshi|). Not a 
furrow had been turned thereon but he broke 
prairie, built a house and after a few j-ears sold for 
$25 per acre what he paid only >s2.50 per acre for. 
He also owned thirty acres of timber land which he 
disposed of about the same time, investing his 
money in three hundred acres on section 4, Auburn 
Township, for which he paid §20 per acre. It has 
many times increased in value and by subsequent 
[Aircliase the boundaries of his farm have been ex- 
tended until at one time he owned six Imndred 
acres. His possessions now aggregate five hundred 
acres, upon which are three good residences, miles 
of fencing-, good barns, outbuildings and two large 
windmills and tanks. 

The place is watered by Painter Creek and the 
home is pleasantly situated within a mile of Au- 
burn. Mr. Lochridge has devoted much time to 
sheep raising, to breeding Poland-China hogs and 
raising Short-horn cattle. He formerly operated 
extensively as a stock-raiser and shipped about one 
hundred and twenty head of cattle per year. His 
horses at the county fair frequently received the 
first premiums and no animal of an inferior grade 
was ever found upon his farm. He now has a fine 
carriage team and other stock, although to a great 
extent he has retired from that line of business. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lochridge numbers 
five children: John W., who assists his father in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



421 



llio management of the farm ; James M. and Andrew 
M. at home; and Robert and Cliarles E. who are 
married and reside on the old homestead. James 
was in the one hundred days service during the 
late war. Nr. Lochridge has identified himself 
with the best interests of town and county. The 
rause of education has ever found in him a warm 
fiiend; he lielped to build tlie first sclioolhouse in 
Auliurn and for fourteen consecutive years was a 
Scliool Director. He belongs to the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church of Ball Township, is open- 
lioarted, liberal with his means and has tlie re.'5pect 
of all who know liim. In politics lie is a stanch Re- 
publican and was a warm friend of President Lin- 
coln. He has frequently served as delegate to the 
county conventions and four times was elected 
Supervisor of his lownshi[), overcoming a Demo- 
cratic majority of sixty-flve. 

On July 2, 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Lochridge cele- 
lirated their fiftieth wedding anniversary and the 
same groomsman and bridesmaid of half a century 
ago attended them. Manj' friends gathered to wish 
I hem happy returns of the day and tlie historian 
j:)ins tliem in wishing the worth}- couple many more 
years of happy wedded life. 



-?^Tfe^ 



r-*^ 



'^ ENRY WILSON CLENDENIN, editor-in- 
chief of the Illinois State Register and Presi- 
dent of and a large stockholder in the 
printing and publishing company, was born 
in Sciiellsburg, Bedford County, Pa., August 1, 
I.S37. His fatlier, Samuel Miller Clendenin, was a 
native of Tjaneaster County, Pa., where Grandfa- 
ther Samuel Clendenin was cashier of a bank in 
Lancaster and an influential citizen of that town, 
(ireat-grand father John Clendenin and his son of 
the same name, were soldiers in the Revolutionary 
War, serving under "Washington in some of the 
liardest ft)nglit contests of that strife. The Clen- 
denin family emigrated from the North of Ireland 
and located in Pennsylvania, where the elder of 
tlic two Revolutionary soldiers was born in 17y3. 

Samuel M. Clendenin was a thoroughly educated 
man and when starting out in life chose teaching as 



a profession. Wliile pursuing the duties of his 
chosen calling at Bedford, Pa., he met Miss Eliza- 
beth Henry, with whom he was united in marriage 
in 1836. This estimable lady was' the daughter of 
George Henry, a well-to-do business man and 
prominent citizen of Bedford. Her paternal grand- 
father emigrated from Ireland about the close of 
the War of Independence. The family originally 
came from Scotland, tracing their lineage to the 
same stock that gave this country Patrick Henry, 
the eloquent Virginia patriot and statesman. 

From ]5edford .Samuel M. Clendenin and his wife 
removed to Schellsburg, in the same county and 
there tlie subject of this sketch was born. It will 
be noticed that Mr. Clendenin's lineage is Scotch- 
Irisii, a race noted for intelligence, integrity and 
energy. Both of his grandmothers, hovrever, were 
of German descent, belonging to a race whose in- 
dustry, honesty and thrift have done much to make 
America what it is to-day. The paternal grand- 
mother bore the name of Mary Miller, while the 
maternal grandmother was known in her youth as 
Elizabeth Hevincr. 

In 1839 while our subject was still a babe 
his parents turned their faces westward and cross- 
ing the mountains in wagons to Pittsburg, took a 
steamboat and proceeded down the Ohio River and 
up the Mississippi to Burlington, at that time a 
mere village in the then Territory of Iowa. In- 
dians were plentiful and Mr. Clendenin says he can 
well remember how as a little boy, he learned some 
Indian words in order to deliver to them messages 
from Ills parents. For many years Samuel Clen- 
denin taught school in Burlington, and also held 
the offices of Justice of the Peace and Clerk of 
the Court. He was a Democrat in politics. He 
afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits, until in 
1857, when he disposed of his property and re- 
moved to Barton County, Mo., where he engaged 
in farming and died in 18.58. 

The parental family included five children, 
namely, Henry W., our subject ; George A , now 
living in Springfield, 111.; John M., dece.'ised; Mar- 
garet H., wife of Henry A. Newhouse, a farmer of 
Woodson Count}', Kan., and Mary A., who mar- 
ried Leonard Wells, of Yates Center, Kan., and 
who died in 1884. Our subject grew to manliood 



422 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in Burlington, Iowa. There were no public schools 
in that section in his early ehiklhood, but the fa- 
tiier being a teacher, he was carefully instructed 
and given the best education his means s\nd the ad- 
vantages of the place afforded. lie received an 
academical education and began the study of Latin 
under proficient teachers before lie was nine years 
old, l)ecoming familiar not only with Latin, but 
also with Greelj, French and Spanish. 

As a student Mr. Clendenin was industrious and 
rapidly advanced in all his studies. His tastes 
were literary and he was an omnivorous reader. So 
fond of books was he that before he was eighteen 
he had collected a library embracing nian}^ of the 
standard works of histor}', poetry and fiction, pur- 
chased with his own earnings. He was early at- 
tracted to journalism as a profession and before he 
was fifteen years old persuaded his father to let him 
leave school. He secured the position of "devil" 
ill the oflSce of the UnrVmgton Haivkeye, then a tri- 
weekly paper. He remained in that ofHce over 
four years and m.astered the art preservative in all 
its brandies, doing also from time to time some 
literary work on the paper. 

(iraduating from the Ilawkeye in 1857, when 
twenty years of age, Mr. Clendenin turned lii« 
face eastward, and instead of going with his parents 
to .Missouri he wont to Pliiladeli)hia where he fol- 
lovved his calling both as a practical printer, and 
also in editing matter for publication. He came 
West again in 1858 and found employment in 
Peoria, III,, wliere he worked on the dail}' Trans- 
script as foreman and telegraph editor and also 
worked in other offices. After a couple of years 
ho returned to Pliiladelphia and was employeil 
there in April, 18G1, when the Civil War began, 
lie enlisted as a private soldier in the Twentieth 
Pennsylvania Infantrj' and served with that regi- 
ment from April 1861, until the latter part of Au- 
gust of the same year when he was mustered out, 
receiving an honorable discharge. His regiment 
was engaged in the Potomac and Shenandoah Val- 
leys and was a portion of the time in the command 
of Gen. George B. McClellan. He saw and partic- 
ipated in some fighting, but was fortunate in never 
receiving a scratch. The military spiritsince Rev- 
olutionary days lias been manifest in the family'. 



some of whom served with distinction in the War 
of 1812. John M. Clendenin, our subject's uncle, 
was a graduate of West Point Military Academy 
and an officer in the regular army until his death. 
He served in the Black Hawk and Florida wars. A 
cousin, David R. Clendenin, who was a Colonel of 
an Illinois regiment during the late Civil War, is 
now a Colonel of cavalry in the regular army. 

As soon as he was mustered out of the array Mr. 
Clendenin returned to Illinois, his mother having 
removed with her family from Missouri to Rock 
Island County, this State. Again taking up jour- 
nalistic work he occupied various practical and 
editorial positions in Illinois and other States. He 
had charge of the Burlington (Iowa) (gazette for 
about one year and of the Metamora, (111.,) Senti- 
nel for about the same length of time, supporting 
and voting for his old commander, George B. Mc- 
Clelland, at Jletamora while in charge of the Senti- 
nel in 1864. 

In 1865 Mr. Clendenin located in Keokuk, Iowa, 
where he resided for the next sixteen years. The 
fust eleven years of his residence in Keokuk he 
was employed as foreman or superintendent of 
book and job printing offices, ten years as superin- 
tendent of the book and job department of the 
daily Gate City. While in this capacity he also did 
considerable reportorial and literary work. In 
187G he formed a partnership with George Smith 
and Thomas Rees, associates in the Gate City office 
and under the firm name of Smith, Clendenin & 
Rees, they purchased the Constitution, the Demo- 
cratic daily and weekly newspaper at Keokuk, 
which the}' p\iblished for five 3'ears. Our subject 
occupied the position of editor-in-chief of the 
Constitution and conducted it with great ability, 
skill and success. 

Shortly after his location in Keokuk Mr. Clen- 
denin persuaded his mother to make her home with 
him, which she continued to do until her death in 
January, 1890, while on a visit to her daughter in 
Kansas. She had then reached the advanced age 
of eighty-one 3'ears. His sister Margaret, also lived 
with him and he gave her the benefit of a good 
education. During his residence there he occupied 
various positions in social, religious and business 
activities. He was for some time President of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



423 



Young Men's Chiistiau Association and one of its 
most active promoters. He was an active Oiid 
Fellow, having passed all tbe Chairs in the Subor- 
diiialo Lodge and Encampment and served as a 
representative in the Grand Lodge of the State. 
He was a delegate to and Vice-President of tbe 
Democratic State Convention at Marshalltown, in 
1877 and also represented Lee County in the Dem- 
ocratic State Convention at Cedar Rapids in 1878, 
Council Bluffs in 1879 and Burlington in 1880, and 
exerted a large influence in local and State politics. 
It was in 1876 that Mr. Clendenin met Miss 
Mar^- Elizabeth Morey, of Monmouth, 111. This 
acquaintance ripened into an attachment and the}' 
were married October 23, 1877, at the resi- 
dence of the bride's parents in Monmouth. Miss 
Morey was a charming and accomplished young 
lady, the daughter of Daniel Hazard and Marj- H. 
P. (Chamberlain) Morey, and was born January 
22, 1854, at Kirkwood, Mo., where her parents 
were then residing. Her grandfather Hazard More^' 
purchased seven thousand acres of land in Ohio, 
whither he removed when bis son, the father of Mrs. 
Clendenin was only a boy. Daniel Morey was a 
native of New York, but was reared on a farm in 
Ohio, and was one of sixteen children, wIjo have 
since been scattered all over the countr}'. Daniel 
Morey removed from Ohio to Illinois and after- 
ward to St. Louis, where be married Miss IMary H. 
P. Chamberlain, of Jacksonville, 111., who w.as then 
teaching school in St. Louis. Tbe Chamberlain 
f.amily were from Salem, Mass., whence Timothy 
Ciiamberlain, the father of Mrs. Morey, removed 
to New York, from there to Virginia and finally to 
llHnois, where he located at Jacksonville. He was 
a contractor and builder of stone work and among 
other structures erected Monticello Female Sem- 
inary, which stood for many years, but was destroyed 
by tire November 4,1888. He afterward purchased 
a farm near Jacksonville and devoted his time to 
agriculture. On tbe maternal side Miss Morey was 
French, English and Scotch lineage and came of an 
old Massachusetts farail}-, being descended from the 
Denis, Deveraux, Grant and Chamberlain families. 
Several of her ancestors were Revolutionary 
.soldiers and sailors. One was commajider of an 
American war vessel and was killed during that 



war. Through her father she was descended from 
English ancestors, who came to this country and 
settled in New York in the last century. Daniel II. 
Morey followed mercantile pursuits in Missouri, 
Iowa and Illinois, finally settling at Monmouth, 
where bis children, D. H., Jr., George, Mary E.(Mrs. 
Clendenin), Etta Adelc, and Aurelia Lauriat were 
educated and where he still resides with his wife 
and two youngest daughters. He is a Royal Arcli 
Mason. 

Mrs. Clendenin was graduated from Monmouth 
College in tbe class of 1874, with the degree of 
B. S. She is a lady of literary tastes and of man\' 
graces and accomplishments. After her marriage 
she acted as literary review editor of her husband's 
paper, writing the book notices and reviews. She 
is also, when her health permits, active in church 
and benevolent work, and finds time from tbe cares 
of her family to accomplish in an unostentatious 
way much for tbe good of humanity. She is an 
active member of tbe "Pastor's Ten" King's Daugh- 
ters of the Congregational Church and Vice-Presi- 
dent of tbe County Union of King's Daughters, 
which has now as one of its objects, the establish- 
ment of a home for old ladies. 

There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clendenin 
five children, as follows: Henry Francis, born Oc- 
tober 21, 1879; Elizabeth, July 29, 1881; George 
Morey, January 29, 1883; Clarence Rees, July 31, 
188G, .and Marie Etta, October 16, 1890. The 
first daughter died in infanc}'. The first named 
was born in Keokuk ami the remainder in Spring- 
field. In 1881 the firm of Smith, Clendenin & 
Rees sold tbe Keokuk ConstituUnn for three times 
what they paid for it, and bought the Illinois State 
Eegistei\ tiie oldest Democratic paper in the State, 
and removed to Springfield with their families. 
They took control of the paper June 18, 1881, since 
which time Mr. Clendenin has been its editor in- 
chief. 

In 1886, George Smith, Esq., the senior member 
of the firm having died, the firm was changed into 
a corporation aiul Mr. Clendenin was made its 
President. Since removing to Springfield Mr. 
Clendenin has taken an active part in the business 
and political affairs of the city and State. He has 
been a delegate to various county and State con- 



424 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIM. 



ventions and was a member of the Democratic 

Stale Centr.ll and Slate Extcutive Committees for 
four years from 1884 to 1887 inclusive, and de- 
voted much time to its political work. In 1886 lie 
was appointed Postmaster at Springfield b}' Presi- 
dent Cleveland and served the people most accept- 
ably in that position for more than a year 
after the inauguration of Cleveland's Republican 
successor. The postal affairs of the citj- were 
never more efficientl}' and energetically managed 
llian under Mr. Clendenin's administration and the 
record of iiis oflice stood among the highest at the 
Department in Wasliington. He was appointed 
Custodian of the Government building in 1886 at 
Springfield by Daniel Manning, Secretary of the 
Treasury, and had charge of the United States 
building and grounds until superceded by Secre- 
tary Wiudom in 1889. 

In addition to his professional and political du- 
ties Mr. Clendenin has manj' other calls upon his 
time and services. He is Secretary am) member of 
the Executive Committee of the Northwestern 
Associated Press, consisting of the journals owning 
the Associated Press franchise in Illinois outside 
of Chicago, Iowa and Eastern Nebraska. He has 
held the position, whicli gives him wide acquaint- 
ance among Western journalists, since 1880. Ho is 
also a Director of the Franklin Life dissociation, a 
Trustee of the Congregational Church, a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the 
Grand Army of the Republic and other societies. In 
the Grand Army of the Republic he was appointed 
Aid-de-Camp by Gen. Philip S. Post, when De- 
partment Commander of Illinois, and an Aid-de- 
Camp on the National Staff by Gen. Russell A. 
Alger, Commander in Chief of the National En- 
campment, G. A. R., for 1889 and 1890. 

It would exceed the limits of this sketch to 
enumerate all the iiublic matters in which Jlr. 
Clendenin has been active during his residence in 
Springfield. He was especially active through the 
State Register in the movements that resulted in 
lifting Springfield out of the mud and making it 
the best paved city in Illinois. In every move- 
ment for advancing the growth and prosperity of 
the city, he has taken a lively and so far as is pos- 
sible, an active, direct interest. He was one of the 



chief promoters and a member of the Executive 
Committee of citizens who inaugurateil in Spring- 
field, and conducted b3' laborious and tireless efforts 
to a successful accomplishment the Centennial cel- 
ebration of the adoption of the Federal Constitu- 
tion on April 30, 1889. He, with his associates, 
have always felt especially proud of the successful 
results of their efforts. In that celebration some 
six thousand children and many adults participated 
and it was witnessed b}' tens of thousands of spec- 
tators. Six thousand white metal medals prepared 
expressly for the occasion were distributed to the 
children and teachers as they moved in procession, 
every one carrying a flag, under an evergreen arch 
built across Capitol Avenue. Such a grand specta- 
cle was never before seen in Springfield, if in any 
other city in America. It was an object lesson in 
liatriotism, which will be remembered by all who 
participated in and witnessed it so long as they 
live. 

That Mr. Clendenin is a bus}' man goes without 
saying. The duties connected with editing a paper 
of the standing and character of the State Register 
at the Capital and political (renter of the Empire 
State of the West, are in themselves exacting. To 
those duties are added his other official and private 
activities, his co-operation and personal assistance in 
forwarding all public enterprises of a social, chari- 
table and business character, and an earnest and 
active participation in the political work of the 
party. As a writer his style is vigorous and clear; 
his articles give evidence of care in preparation 
and an earnestness of purpose that commands for 
them commensurate weight and influence. Proba- 
bly no Democratic paper in the State is so widely 
quoted by the country press of its party as is the 
State Register, and certainly none wields a greater 
influence in the policy of the party to which it be- 
longs. 

In his private life Mr. Clendenin lives quietly 
and modestly. He is retiring and reserved in dis- 
position, domestic in his habits and spends all the 
time he can spare from business and public duties 
with his family in their pleasant home, where he 
takes delight in the society of his wife and chil- 
dren. Mr. and Mrs. Clendenin are both members 
of the Congregational Church, of which he is a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



425 



Trustee. The}' accupy a comfortable resiricnce at 
No. 1009 South Second Street,wliich Mr. Clendenin 
built in 1885 and in vrliich they have among their 
treasures a valuable lilirarj'. The two elder of their 
children attend the public school. Mr. Clendeinn 
has never aspired to office or been ambitious of 
wealth; his disposition has been to serve his friends, 
his party and the public more than himself. With 
the con.sciousness of being industrious and useful 
as a journalist, and honest and public-spirited as a 
citizen, he pursues the even tenor of his way with 
no undue anxiety as to wealth or official [irefer- 
ment. 

^AMP:S W. PATTON is a prominent and 
well-known lawyer of Spi ingfield and is as- 
sociated in a large practice with Llo3'd F. 
(j»^// Hamilton, under the firm name of Patton &, 
Hamilton. He is a native of this county, and was 
born here February 15, 1840. His parents were 
AVilliam May and Elizabeth Ann (Moore) Patton, 
natives of Kentucky. 

In 1820 James Patton, the grandfather of our 
subject, came to Sangamon County from his old 
Kentucky home accompanied thither by his family 
includiug his sons William May, Matthew, his 
daughter Rebecca A., and his wife. His son David 
H. and his daughter Elizabeth were born in this 
county. He located near Auburn where he en- 
gaged in farming and he oi)eued the P.rst tan- 
yard ever operated in this county, he hav- 
ing been a tanner in the State of Kentucky. The 
ancestors of our subject were in America long be- 
fore the Revolutionary War, coming originall}^ 
from Wales and locating in Maryland. The great- 
grandfather of our subject was extensivel}' en- 
gaged in the saddlery and harness trade in the city 
(if Baltimore, and he equipped one of Washington's 
regiments during the war. Two or three of his 
brothers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, 
one of whom was killed. 

The mother of our subject was the daughter of 
.Joseph Moore, who came to Sangamon County 
about 1835 from Montgomery County, Ky., and 
located where Morrison M. Moore now lives, two 



miles south of Chatham. She died in Christian 
County, August 27, 1884, thus closing a long life 
which lacked just a month of seventy years. She 
was a member of the Christian Chnrcli and was 
thoroughly devoted to its work. 

Our subject was but eight years old when Ids 
father died .January 8, 1848, leaving his mother 
with two other children, younger than himself, Mat- 
thew, and Julia A., now Mrs. Basil Hill, of Eden- 
burg, Christian County, this State. She continued 
to reside on the old homestead and carefully reared 
her children to honorable and useful lives. James 
W. passed his boyhood days on the home farm 
near Auburn until he was sixteen years old, Laying 
the foundation of his education in the local district 
schools. At the age mentioned he left his mother 
to attend college at .laeksonviUe, III, where he 
closely pursued his studios nearly three years, lie 
taught school in his neighborhood two year.*, usino- 
that calling as a stepping stone to other [irofes- 
sional life. In the meantime he studied law to some 
extent and after giving up teaching entered the of- 
fice of Hay & Culloni, of Springfield, 111., with whom 
he read regularly about eighteen months. At the 
expiration of that time he passed successfully a 
rigid examination and was admitted to the bar in 
1865. 

After the completion of his preparation for en- 
tering the legal profession, our subject opened an 
office in Springfield and practiced alone here for 
several years. He then formed a partnership with 
C. M. Mon-ison, then State's Attorney, which con- 
tinued until the death of Mr. jNlorrison in Jaiuiarv, 
1870. Mr. Patton was alone for a while after that 
and then associated himself vvith John C. Lanphier. 
In 1880 he formed a partnership with Lloyd F. 
Hamilton and they are still practicing their profes- 
sion together. 

The marriage of Mr. Patton %vith Miss Francine 
Elizabeth Lanphier was duly celebrated December 
8, 1869. Mrs. Patton's parental history will be 
found in the biography of her father, Charles II. 
Lanphier on another page of this volume. The 
following is the record of the five children Itorn to 
Mr. and Mrs. Patton, four of whom are living: 
William Lanphier, was born October 11, 1870; 
James Moore, December 24, 1874; Charles Lan- 



12G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



phier,jAiigust 13, 1879; Henry Lanphier, Decem- 
ber 8, 1884; and Lanphier Matliew, who was born 
August 17, 1872, and died September 19, 1874. 

Mr. Patton's record as a lawyer and his public 
service reflect honor on llie citizensiiip of bis na- 
tive county. He is well grounded in professional 
knowledge, has won a high reputation as a lawyer 
of marked ability, and with iiis partner has tried 
many local cases that have brought him into prom- 
inence as a successful advocate. He is devoted to 
his business and Lis clients feel that their cause is 
in the hands of one whose probity is as well-known 
as his reputation as a skillful lawyer. In the years 
1864 and I8G5, he represented Sangamon County 
in tlie State Legislature, aud gave ample proof of 
loyalty to the count}' of his birth and of his desire 
to advance its interests. He is one of the leading 
members of the Masonic order and in politics 
stands high among the Democrats. 



-^-^-^- 



; OHN KRIPjL Is the owner of a good farm of 
I two hundred and fifteen acres on section 25, 
I Cartwrigitt Township, and ma}' be called a 
I self-made man as his possessions have l)ecn 
acquired through his own industry and economy. 
He is of German biith and in Germany were also 
born his parents, John and Dora (Scliaffer) Kriel. 
Tlieir family numbered five children who grew to 
mature j'ears, two sons and three daugliters, of 
whom the eldest is John. Henry is now a resident 
of Chicago; Dora is the wife of H. Harms, a farmer 
of Cartwright Township; Minnie died at the age of 
twenty years; and Mary, who completes the num- 
ber, is the wife of Grant Scott, a resident of this 
county. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the city of 
Hanover, on June 3, 1846, and in his native land 
s|ient the days of his boyhood and youth, but on 
a|)proacliing the years of manhood he resolved to 
try his fortune in the New World and crossed the 
Atlantic to America. He first set foot on Ameri- 
can soil in New York, on June 20, 1867, but did 
not tarry long in the Eastern metropolis. Resuming 
his journey, he at length arrived in DuPage County. 



111., where lie sjient one year working as a farm 
hand. He then came to Sangamon County, where 
for some time he worked by the month on a farm. 

On F"ebruary 21, 1872, Mr. Kriel led to the mar- 
riage altar Miss Soi)hia Shumacher, a native of 
Prussia. They have become the parents of six chil- 
dren, two sons and four daughters: Johnny, Min- 
nie, Willie, Lizzie, Caroline and Henrietta. Tiie 
children are all yet living and still under the pa- 
rental roof. 

Mr. Kriel made his first purchase of land in 
1881, and now has three hundred and seventy-five 
acres which paj-a golden tribute to his care and cul- 
tivation. As before stated, his home farm com- 
prises two hundred and fifteen acres in Cartwright 
Township and the remaining portion of his jiosses- 
sions is in Tulula Township, Menard County. On 
another page will be noticed a view of the farm 
which isfurnishec^ with all necessarj' improvements 
including a good residence, barns, outbuildings, 
fences and the latest improved machinery; the 
home, surrounded by broad aud fertile fields, indi- 
cates the thrift and enterprise of the owner, which 
characteristics have marked his entire life. Mr. 
Kriel is a member of the German Church of Pleas- 
ant Plains, in which he holds the office of Trustee; 
in his political alTlliations lie is a Democrat, having 
supported that party since coming to America. He 
came to this countrj' a poor man, but step by step 
has worked his vray upward to a position of afflu- 
ence and is now numbered among the substantial 
farmers of the count}'. 




iillOMAS CARSWELL. Among the various 
nations which have coniributed of their 
people to swell the population of America, 
Scotland has not been behind others, and the emi- 
grants from her shores take a high rank wherever 
genuine worth of character is considered. They 
are, almost without exception, frugal, industrious 
and thrifty in their habits, and, in all that goes to 
constitute the moral character, as uncompromising 
as the hills of their native land. The ruggeduess of 




residence: of JOHN KRIEL,SEC.25.(T.ir. R.S.j 5ANGAM0N CO. ILL. 








RESIDENCE OF TH0MA5 CARSWELL,5EC.1G. COTTON H ILLTP. SANGAMON CQ.ILL, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOURAPHICAL ALBUM. 



429 



the rocks is adorned Iw heather and gorse in the 
land from whicii they came, and even so tlieir 
sturd3' traits uf character are softened lj3' family 
ties and domestic relations. 

The gentleman whose cognomen introduces this 
sketch has been a resident of this county for thirty- 
one years and for some twenty years has lived in 
Cotton Hill Township. There he now owns a fine 
estate of tour hundred acres, the whole compris- 
ing a valuable acreage whereon first-class improve- 
mcnts have been made. On another page will be 
noticed a view of this homestead. The dwelling 
on section 16, is of modern design and its external 
appearance is quite in keeping with the neatness and 
good taste which prevail within. Mr. Carswell has 
made farming and stock raising his life work and 
thoroughly understands both branches of his occu- 
pation. 

The natal d.ay of our subject was April 9, 1834, 
and in "auld Scotia" he remained until he was 
twenty-five years old. He then took passage for 
America and after landing in New York City, came 
direct to .Springfield, III. He found employment 
by the month, continuing to work thus until 1863. 
In the meantime he married Mary Byers, a native 
of Ohio, the wedding being solemnized in Wood- 
side Township. The happy union was blest by the 
birth of four sons, of whom two — John T. and 
Charles, are deceased; Andrew B. and Arthur S. 
surviving. The faithful wife and mother was re- 
moved by death, February 2, 1869, in Pawnee 
Township, whither the family had removed in 1864. 

November 9, 1870, Mr. Carswell was united in 
marriage with Miss Jane E. Clark, the marriage 
taking place in Pawnee Township. This lady was 
born iu Scotland, March 7, 1847. She has borne her 
husband three children — James H., Jessie W. and 
Luther A. The same year in which he was married 
to his present wife, Mr. Carswell came to Cotton 
Hill Township, where he has since been permanently 
located. He has filled the offices of Township Col- 
lector, Highway Commissioner, Township Treas- 
urer and School Director. As Treasurer he held the 
public funds six years. In politics he is a Repnb- 
lican. He and his wife belong to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which he has been Steward, 
Trustee and Class-Leader. Both are highly regarded 



b}- their fellow-citizens, and nowhere will a better 
cxempliflcalion of the virtues of the Scotch char- 
acter and the inbred hos[)itality of the race be found 
than in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carswell. 



<i¥]OHN A. HIGGINS, M. D. Among the 
reputable physicians who are prosecuting 
^^ j professional labors in Si)ringfield, may well 
\((g?// be mentioned Dr. Iliggins, who has a fine 
practice and a record of success. He gives his pref- 
erence to Homeopathy, believing it the most philo- 
sophical school of medicine, and the manner in which 
he carries out its principles is highly spoken of. 
Since he turned his attention to medicine he has been 
a close student and a keen observer of human nature 
in every particular which bears upon disease and 
its cure. He i)0ssesses acute powers of diagnosing 
diseases and is skillful in his treatment. He is 
somewhat independent in his manners, caring less 
for the opinions of men than for the approval of 
his own conscience, but he wins confidence and 
inspires his patients with faith in him and his re- 
sources. 

The Higgins family is of Scotch-Irish descent, 
the first American settlement by those of the 
name having been in Jamestown, Va., where two 
brothers located among the earliest settlers. It is 
believed that all of the name in this country are 
descended from those hardy colonists. Our subject 
is a son of James and Julia A. (Getty) Higgins, 
natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania respectively. 
The mother belongs to a family whose home for 
generations past was in the vicinity of Gettysburg, 
Pa., which town was laid out and named by her 
grandfather. 

The parents of Dr. Higgins came to this State in 
1818, locating in Crawford County, where they 
resided some years. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject had come to this State in 1812 and located a 
tract of land in the AVabash Valley, building a 
cabin and beginning to break the sod. Indian 
troubles growing out of the War of 1812, caused 
him to return to Kentucky, whence he returned to 
this State six years later. The father of our sub- 



430 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ject was of a inigratoiy turn of mind and after 

living- in this State some years removed to Missis- 
sippi where he was engaged in Uatboating a few 
years. He afterward went to Iowa and then again 
to Illinois and finally to Missonri, where he 
died, August 25, 1888. Seven sons and five 
daughters comprised liis family. Of these six are 
now living. 

John A. Iliggins was born in Crawford County, 
this .State, December 23, 1831. He is the second 
member of the family and the oldest son. He was 
seven years old when his father left Crawford 
County and a few years later he was attending 
what was called the IMound City Academy, in St. 
Louis, Mo., his father having removed to that 
State. The literary education of our subject was 
obtained chiefly in that institution, and after com- 
l)leting his studies he helped his father on a farm 
in Macoupin County, this Slate. He also learned 
the carpenter's trade and worked at it a few years. 

In the fall of 1854 Mr. Higgins was married to 
Miss Nancy M. Mitchell, daughter of Dr. Ambrose 
Mitchell, of Mt. Olive, Macoupin County. Dr. 
Mitchell having prevailed upon the young man to 
study medicine, he took up a course of reading and 
finally turned bis whole attention to the profes- 
sion. He went to Cincinnati. Ohio, where he took 
a course of study in the Physio-BIedical College, 
being graduated in the class of 1852. He practiced 
wit'.i his father-in-law some five years and in 1859 
located near St^iunton, the same county, remaining 
there until 1873. His wife died March 7, of that 
year, and the Doctor subsequentlv made his home 
in Litchfield, Montgomery County. 

In 1875 Dr. Higgins married Mrs. Relief Gunder- 
man, widow of Louis Gunderraan and daughter of 
William M. Olney, of New .Jersey. After his 
marriage he came to Springfield, remaining here 
three months and then, in the spring of 187(5, re- 
moving to Chicago. The next fall, however, he 
came again to SpringSeld, where he has since re- 
mained. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Illinois 
Cavalry, Company L, D. R. Sparks commanding. 
His father, then over fifty years old, had said to 
the Doctor and a brother, ''your great-grandfather 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; your 
grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812; you 



had two uncles in the Indian Wars, and if you do 

not enlist for the cause of the Union, I will shoulder 
my musket and go." The boys went, and served 
with honor to thejnselves and the cause, ]5articipa- 
ting in several bloody engagements, among them 
the battles of Pea Ridge, Yazoo River, Port (iibson 
and Champion Hills. Prior to the battle of Port 
Gibson Dr. Iliggins had the smallpox and being 
left in a weak condition, the fatigue and excite- 
ment of that and the next battle so unnerved him 
as to unfit him for active duty. He was therefore 
discharged for disability in June, 1863. 

The first marriage of Dr. Iliggins was blest by 
the birth of two sons and two daughters. Samuel 
Getty, the eldest child, is now practicing law in East 
Saginaw, Mich; John H. is a manufacturer in 
Cleveland. Ohio; Ali)ina M. is at home; Rose B. 
was married September 4, 1890, to J. S. Sherar, of 
Doylestown, Pa. In politics Dr. Iliggins was 
originally a ^Vliig and his first vote, east for Hale 
and Julian, came near costing iiim his life, the 
interference of otlicers alone saving him. He is 
now a Democrat, although not bound by strict 
party ties. His motto in life is, "do the best you 
can for your own and love your fellow-man." 



-}^f,.^ 




^7jr^ 



,\ HARLKS L. WILCOX, a dealer in lumber 
and im|)lemeuts, is a native born citizen of 
this country, and is considered one of its 
most promising young business men, as he has 
already achieved success, though he started in life 
with no capital except a courageous heart, and good 
executive ability. He was born December 10, 185G, 
in New Berlin Township. The jwrents of our sub- 
ject are Thomas and Catherine Wilcox, the former 
of whom was born in 1804, in .Sangamon Countj', 
and the latter in 1812 in Morgan County. His an- 
cestors on both sides of the house came from Ten- 
nessee and were among the earliest pioneers of this 
State. 

Our sulijcct was educated in the public schools 
of this county. After his marriage he began farm- 
ing on his father's place in New Berlin Township, 
having a farm of forty acres under his management. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



431 



In starting out in life lie commenced in a very iuim- 
ble way, and to procure his marriage license lie had 
to borrow the necessary amount from his mother, 
and he and his bride set up housekeeping with an 
outfit of the cheapest quality consisting of a bed. 
cook stove, table and chairs, and thus hand in hand 
started out to face the stern realities of life to- 
gether. For six months they had no other con- 
vcj'ance than a horse, and if they wished to go any- 
where had to go on horseback. They lived in a 
small, shabby house which was far from impervious 
to the attacks of wind and cold, yet happiness ex- 
isted in that humble abode. Notwithstanding tiie 
discouraging circumstances with which he entered 
upon his career, Mr. Wilcox's superabundant en- 
ergy and force of character carried him tiirough 
ever\' difficulty, and at last placed him upon a solid 
foundation in business matters. He was much pros- 
pered in fanning, liut lie eventually abandoned that 
and removing to New Berlin August 19, 1881, he 
established himself in business in this town as a 
lumber merchant. He has beeu eminently success- 
ful in all his enterprises, and is now o .e of the 
moneyed men of the localit\'. He has already ac- 
quired a valuable property, and owns a handsoiiie 
residence in the northeast part of New Berlin. He 
stands high in financial circles, and his liberality 
and public spirit are potent in promoting the high- 
est interests of that town. He is a 3'oung man of 
irreproachable character and of fine personal hab- 
its, and he has never in iiis life tasted whiskey or 
chewed tobacco. For seven years he has been a 
consistent member of the Baptist Church, and is an 
influence for much good in the communit\'. 

The happy wedded life of our subject was 
brought to a close by the death of his beloved 
wife, who passed to eternal rest August 5, 18!)0. 
Mrs. Wilcox was born near New Berlin, June 4, 
1858, and was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. 
Coons, of New Berlin. Her marriage with our sub- 
ject was solemnized February 14, 1878, by the 
Rev. Mr. Crane. It was blessed to them by the birth 
of four children, of whom the following is the rec- 
ord: May was born February 21, 1879; Harry, 
November 26, 1881; Edith, April 6, 1886; Benja- 
min F., November 18, 1888. Mrs. Wilcox was a 
lady of high char.acter, and of an earnest religious 



nature. She united with tlic Berlin Baptist Church, 
in P\'bruary, 1881, and until death was true to her 
profession of Christianity. She filled in a perfect 
measure the positions of wife, mother and friend, 
and her death was lamented far beyond the home 



circle. 



^^^^^^^i^^^i^^^r^^^-^ 




HARLES H. WINEMAN is one of the lead- 
ing business men of Auburn. He is now 
^y carrying-on a large drugstore in that place, 
is proprietor of the breeding and training stables 
of Auburn and also of the Sugar Creek Stock 
Farm which adjoins the city limits. Other mercan- 
tile interests have also engaged his attention and to 
have Mr. Wineman connected with and interested 
in any enterprise insures its success. 

In giving a record of his life we will go back to 
the founding of the family in America. His grand- 
father, Frederick Wineman, a German by birth, 
came to America during the days of his early man- 
hood and settled in Pennsylvaina where he mar- 
ried. He was a cooper by trade but after his 
removal to Botetourt County, Va., followed farm- 
ing in connection with his chosen occupation and 
became a well-to-do citizen. In the Revolutionarj- 
AVarhe served his adoptedcountrv, valiantly aiding 
in her struggle for independence. He was a member 
of the Baptist Church and died in t'lat faith in Vir- 
ginia. Ills son, Philip, the father of our subject, 
was born in Botetourt County. September, 9, 1801, 
and left his native State only on reaching the age 
of twenty-two, when in the fall of 1824, he emi- 
grated westward. 

Thefather of our subject on horseback made his 
waj' to Sangamon County, 111., when he began work- 
ing on Sugar Creek at fifty cents per day making 
rails. This he followed until he had acquired money 
enough to enter a claim. lie located on land on 
section 1, but afterward sold and removed to sec- 
tion 10, the present farm of our subject. . He made 
several trips to and from Virginia on horseback in 
those early days and experienced all the hardships 
of pioneer life in the West. He drove his slock to 
market at St. Louis, and went to mill at Edwards- 
ville. He began at the veiy bottom round of the 



432 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ladder of life l)ut worked his waj- upward step by 
step to tlie liigii plain wliere the sun of prosperity 
shone upon his efforts unbroken by the shadows of 
adversity or difficulty. He transformed llie raw 
prairie into a fine fai-m and ilevoted himself to 
raising grain and cattle. At the time of his death 
he was the largest landowner and stoekfeeder in the 
county, iiis landed possessions aggregating some two 
thousand acres of the rich jtrairie. He was i)nblic- 
spirited, ready to aid in an}' enterprise for the ad- 
yancement of the general welfare. He laid out the 
first addition to Aulmrn, gave his support to edu- 
cational interests and identified himself with every- 
thing that would benefit the community. His 
death occurred in September, 1884. 

Philip Wineman was twice married. On the 
11th of August, 1825, he wedded Jane Crow, a na- 
tive of Kentucky, and his second marriage cele- 
brated March 23, 1853, was with Sarah A. Morrell 
who was born on the 4th uf July, 1822, in Maine, 
where her girlhood days were spent. With her 
brother she came to Illinois. She is still living at 
the age of about seventy' years. In religious 
faith she is a Baptist. Of the first union there were 
born seven children, five of whom grew to mature 
years — America, wife of R. C. Jones, died in Au- 
burn Township; Sylvanus died in Auburn Town- 
ship; in 1875; James P. died in childhood; Wil- 
liam P. and Ilayden S. are living in Auburn Town- 
ship; Virginia E., is the wife of George Biglcr, of 
Auburn Township, who is represented in this work; 
and Margaret C. is now Mrs. J. B. Organ, of Vir- 
den, Macoupin County, III. The children of 
the second marriage were George F. who died in 
childhood; Charles H. ; Viola M., who died at the 
age of seven years and Millard F., at the age of ten 
years. 

Mr. Wineman did not come to the people of 
Sangamon County a stranger already attained to 
man's estate, wishing to here engage in business 
but from childhood up has lived in tlieir midst and 
they have seen the development of an upright and 
worthy character to which they can give their con- 
fidence and respect. He was born in Auburn Town- 
ship September 1, 1855, and reared upon his 
father's farm. lie attended the common schools of 
Auburn, pursued a scientific course in the Wesleyan 



University at Blooraington and then laid aside his 
text books to aid his father in the labors of the 
farm. At the age of nineteen he took upon hi in- 
self the control of all the affairs, including the busi- 
ness interests. He possesses natural business 
ability of a high order and early developed a self- 
reliance and steadfastness of character which have 
marked his entire career. 

In Catawba, Roanoke Count3% Va., Mr. Wineman 
was united in marriage with Miss Lou, daughter of 
George Painter, who was an extensive farmer and 
miller of Roanoke Count}', where she was born and 
reared. He returned with his young bride to this 
county and continued farming with excellent suc- 
cess until failing health caused him to abandon that 
occupation and he came to Auburn. He purcliased 
the drug business of Hamlin Bros., became a reg- 
istered pharmacist and has carried on operations in 
that line continuously since. He has a fine store, 
carries an excellent stock and receives a liberal share 
of public patronage. Other interests have also 
occupied his time and attention. He started a 
j luirness shop and made it one of the largest estab- 
lishments of its kind in the place but after two 
years sold out. He also embarked in the restaurant 
and confectionery business and disposed of that 
store after a year. His next venture was as a luai- 
ber dealer and for three j'cars he carried on busi- 
ness with W. II. Hummel as a partner. He has 
since disposed of his stock but still owns the build- 
ings and the site upon which they are located. 

A lover of horses, it does not seem strange that 
Mr. Wineman has succeeded so well as a stock dealer 
for he takes pride in his horses and makes their needs 
a study. Sugar Creek farm contains three hundred 
and twenty acres of land which is improved with 
fine buildings and all the necessary conveniences. 
He also owns one hundred and sixty acres of well- 
improved land a short distance to the west of Au- 
burn, a residence and some fine lots in the city. 
The greater part of his land he rents. In 1886 he 
built his stables which are nicel}' arranged and 
brouglit the first standard-bred horse — Fred 
Wheelock, to Auburn. He now has over twenty- 
five standard-bred horses and has indeed, as he ex- 
pressed it, "been surprisingly successful." He is the 
owner of the finest-bred horses in the county, 








?^^A^ 




^^, 



/L-^^-^^ 



LjrrJ Jk.^yk^. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



435 



including Fred Wheeler, wliieli was sired by Richard 
Whceloek, and is the speediest horse in the barn ; 
Kentucky Jim witii a record of 2:28; Moxie Hia- 
toga, with a record of 2:27 ; Laeky, of the Blue Bull 
stock; Banana, sired by Beaumont; and Kittie 
Wineman, with a pacing record of 2:274^. His 
flnestbred horse. Ella Field, carries off the prem- 
ium wherever shown. Mr. Wineman is Vice-Pres- 
ident of the Centr.al Illinois Trotting and Pacing 
Association, with headquarters at Springfield, and 
also Director of the same. He takes his horses with 
him and attends the races of various neighboring 
States. lie is a member of the Sangamon County 
Fair Association and has done not a little in tlie 
interests of the fair which is held annually. He is 
a Director of the Auburn Building and Loan Asso- 
ciation, is a member of the City Council and iiolds 
the office of School Director. In politics he is a 
standi advocate of Republican ))rinciples and has 
frequently served as delegate to county and State 
conventions of his party. He and his wife are 
members of the Baptist Church, in which he holds 
the ofliee of Clerk, and in the social world are held 
in higli regard. The}' have one child, a daughter, 
Ada. 

— ^— ^^— ^^-^ 



' OHN DEAL, M. D. This name will he at 
once recognized by man)' readers as that of 
an able physician, located in Riverton. 
Those who enjoy the pleasure of his ac- 
quaintance are aw.are of the fact that Dr. Deal is a 
man of l)road culture, and that before he entered 
tiie ranks of the medical profession he had won an 
honorable record as an educator in one of the first- 
class colleges. They know also that his life has 
been spent in useful labors, that his character is 
above reproach, and that he enjoys in a high degree 
llie respect of his acquaintances. 

Dr. Deal traces his descent froni German ances- 
tors, but America has been the home of his people 
for many long years. His parents, George and 
Lucy (Rismiller) Deal, were born in Pennsylvania, 
and liiere also the eyes of our subject opened to 
the light November 19, 1847. His father w.as a 
brickmason by trade and an honest, industrious 



man, who ordered his life in accordance with the 
precepts of Chriitianit^'. He was a member of the 
German Reformed Church, and cheered b)- a Chris- 
tian's hope, breathed his last in 1857. His widow 
survived until 1883. Slie also was a zealous 
Christian and was for many years a member of the 
German-Reformed Church, though at the time of 
her death a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
Some lime after the death of Mr. Deal she married 
Henry McGee, a native of the Isle of Man. By 
her first marriage she became the mother of eleven 
children, and by the second of two. 

Our subject attended a village school until he 
was ten years of age. after which he had no further 
school privileges until he was about sixteen. In 
1868 he entered Lombard University', at Gales- 
burg, 111., where he spent two years, following this 
with a four years' course of study at Blackburn 
University at Carlinville. From the latter institu- 
tion he was graduated after having completed the 
classical course. He w.as for two years Principal 
of the public schools at Mornsonville, 111., and was 
then called to the Chair of Latin and Mathematics 
in the Central Tennessee College at Nashville. He 
was known to have a fine knowledge of the ancient 
languages and the time which he had spent in 
teaching had proved his tact in imparting instruc- 
tion. 

For two years Dr. Deal remained in Nashville, 
discharging his professional duties in a most ac- 
ceptable manner and at the same time pursuing the 
study of medicine in the \'anderbilt University, 
from which he was graduated in 1878 with the de- 
gree of Doctor of Medicine. The August follow- 
ing his graduation he located at Riverton, III., 
where he has continued to reside. He enjoys a 
lucrative practice and is as well equipped for his 
work as any physician in the county. Success has 
crowned his efforts both in a professional and finan- 
cial sense. He has been the means of alleviating 
suffering and saving life, and has also been enabled 
to secure valuable property, both in Riverton and 
in Fancy Creek Township. He owns a good farm 
and several houses and lots in the village. 

The lady who graciouslj- presides over the home 
of Dr. Deal is a native of this State, known in her 
maidenhood .as Miss Augusta Isabelle Fyffo. Their 



486 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



marriage rites were solemnized August 26, 1875. 
Tliey are the liappy parents of two cbildren — Don 
West, born .Tiily 11, 1879, and John W. F., July 
31, 1885. Both the Doctor and his estimable wife 
are members of the Methodist Church. Dr. Deal 
is a true-blue Republican and is a popular, influ- 
ential member of the i)arty. He has been urged to 
allow the use of his name as a candidate for im- 
portant positions, but has refused, as he has no de- 
sire to enter the political field. He has served 
aceeptablj- as Mayor of Riverton and in the capac- 
ity of a private individual is ever found giving the 
weight of his influence on the side of right and 
true i)rogress. 



=^ 



^, AMES W. BROOKS has been a factor in ad- 
vancing the agricultural interests of this 
county, which form so important an ele- 
ment of its prosperity. He has a farm ad- 
vantageously located in Springfield Township and 
also a farm in Gardner Township, which are culti- 
vated and improved to a high standard and are 
two of the most desirable pieces of proper!}- in this 
part of the county. 

Our subject is the son of Ebcuezer and Sarah M. 
(I)uncklee) Brooks, natives of Massachusetts, com- 
ing of good old New England stock. They were 
life-lung residents of the old Baj' State and there 
reared a family of four cliildren to honorable and 
useful lives. James W. was the second child of 
the family in order of birth and he was born in 
West Cambridge, now Arlington, Mass., January 
26, 1822. He passed tiie early 3'ears of his life 
until he attained his majority in the pretty town of 
ids birth and received an excellent education in its 
schools. When he was twenty-one years old he 
went to Maine where he engaged in shocmaking 
and also operated a farm. He was a resident of 
Shopleigh, that State, foi' thirteen years, ami in 
1856 came to this county. He had been favorably 
impressed with what he had heard of the many ad- 
vantages afforded by the rich soil of this State to 
men of energy and enterprise who desired to en- 
gage in agricultural pursuits. After coming here 



he bought a farm in Woodside Township, and re- 
mained there ten years activel}' engaged in its cul- 
tivation. He sold it with the man}' improvements 
that he had placed upon it for a good sum of 
monej' and then returned to Ma.ssachusetts. He 
lived in the town of Southboro for four years and 
at the end of that time again came to Sangamon 
County. This time he located in Springfield Town- 
sliip, on a farm on section 11, vvhich is still in his 
possession. He actively set about its improvement, 
and in the j'cars that have followed has wrought a 
great change which has placed his farm among the 
best in the vicinitj'. It comprises one hundred and 
twenty acres situated in Springfield and two hun- 
dred and sixty-one acres situated in Gardner Town- 
ship, all under admirable tillage and in fine order. 
Mr. Brooks has erected a substantial set of farm 
buildings including a roomy, well-furnished dwell- 
ing and he has all the conveniences for carrying on 
his business after the best methods. 

Mr. Brooks has been twice married. The maiden 
naaae of his first wife to whom he was united in 
West Cambridge, Mass., was Belinda Crosby. Five 
children were the result of that marriage, namely: 
Charles, who died in cuildhood ; Emma C, Ella M., 
Frank; and Linda L., Mis. John P. Jones. Mrs. 
Brooks died in her husband's home in Woodside 
Township, August 16, 1858. Mr. Brooks was 
married a second time in South Danvers, (now 
Peabody) Mass.. Miss Martha Ricker becoming his 
wife, the marriage taking place January 10, 1859. 
They had five children, as follows — Fred, Alletta; 
Mattie (who died when noarl^' seven 3^ears ol<l); 
Elizabeth W. and Ida F. January 28, 1889, death 
again crossed the threshold of our subject and re- 
moved the devoted wife and mother. 

Mr. Brooks jiossesses in a good degree those 
traits of character that are so necessary to make 
life a success, and it is through these endowments 
that he has been enabled to make his way in the 
world to his present prosperous circumstances. He 
is looked up to by his neighbors for his sturdy, un- 
swerving rectitude of character and for his solid 
worth as a man and a citizen. He has never as- 
pired to office preferring the peace and comfort of 
his fireside to the turmoil of public life, but he in- 
terests himself in politics and is a true Repulilican. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



48? 




He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his en- 
tire family also, witli a single exception. Both of 
oui- subject's wives were devoted members of the 
Baplist Church and left behind them' good records 
of Christian lives well-spent. 

LFRED A. SHARTZER]is in charge of a 
section of the Wabasli Railroad at llliopo- 
lis, and is accounted by his employers one 
iQ// of their most able [and trustwortliy men. 

He is a native of Dauphin County, I'a., and a son 
of James Shartzer. He"^is one of Jthe brave men 
who volunteered during the late war to help defen(] 
their country and lie served long and honorably in 
defence of the Stars and Stripes. ^ 

The mother of our subject died when he was an 
infant, and lie came to Illinois in 1858. His 
fatlier is a well-known minister of the Baptist de- 
nomination, and is an honored resident of lUiopo- 
lis. At seventeen, the age wlien he came West, 
our subject became employed as a farmer and was 
thus engaged when the war broke out. In the 
month of August, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, 
Forty-first Illinois Infantry, under Col. I. C. Pugli 
and Capt. F. M. Green and was in the army until 
the rebellion was brought to a close. He was pres- 
ent at the capture of Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson 
and was wounded in the engagement at the latter 
place though not disabled. He fouglit bravely at 
Shiloli and again faced the enemy unflinchingly at 
Corinth. He did good service at tlie siege of 
Vieksburg, and was then transferred to Sherman's 
command in time to march witli that distinguished 
leader to tlie sea. In the many engagements and 
battles of that famous campaign, he did his share 
of fighting and he took part in the Grand Review at 
Washington, D. C after the close of the war. 

When he left the army Mr. Shartzer engaged on 
a plantation in Mississi|)pi for a time and then went 
lo Tennessee. From that State he came back to 
Illiopolis in the summer of 18G8. After a brief 
period of farming, he was employed b^" tlie Wabash 
Railroad Company and was put in charge of the 
section here. He performed his duties in that con- 



nection to tlie full satisfaction of the company, but 
he finally resigned his position in order to engage 
in the draying business. The company evidently 
found it hard work to replace him, and in 1886 
made a special request tiiat he should return to the 
employment of the Wabash. He resumed his ol<l 
place and has since been at the head of his former 
section. He is a conscientious, hard-working man 
and is accounted a master in keeping a perfect 
track. He has the full confidence of his employers 
and the esteem and regard of the men who work 
under him, and of the entire community where he 
makes his home. He has been a faithful member 
of the Methodist Church for many years and 
sociall3' is prominent among the Masons as Master 
of Illiopolis Lodge, No. .'')2I. 

Oui subject was happily married in 1864 to Miss 
Mary E. Johnson, the wedding ceremony that made 
them one taking place in Memphis, Tenn. Their 
home life is bright and "filled with comfort and 
their household is completed by their only son, 
James Lee. 




HRISTIAN KRAIS. The story of the won- 
lerful physical resources of America, of the 

_ ipportunities afforded honest industry to 
gain a footing in business and society, has attracted 
hither many natives of the German Empire. They 
are found wielding the implements of the trades, 
opening up unsettled regions and bringing the 
farm lands into high cultivation. Sangamon County 
is not without her share of these men, and it affords 
us pleasure to give in a few brief paragraphs a 
record of tlie life of one of them, who is now a 
resident of New Berlin Township. 

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch 
was born ( (ctober 9, 1839, in Wittenburg, Germany, 
being a son of Mcbscliic and Mary Krais, who were 
also born in llie Empire. Mr. Kais enjoyed the 
educational privileges provided by the Fatherland 
for her sons and daughters, and beginning his per- 
sonal career when he had reached manhood, worked 
industriously in his own land for several years. 
When still quite a young man he left the Father- 



438 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



land with a view of hewing out his fortune in this 
country unaided and alone. He landed in New 
York City September 5, 1866, and came direct to 
this county, where he iiad determined to make his 
home. 

Mr. Krais began working on a farm, readily Qnd- 
ing employment, as he was strong, faithful and 
willing. Beginning his labors with that degree of 
pluck, determination and energy, combined with 
economy, that characterizes the German, he laid 
the foundation of his future success. He worked 
three months for $25 per month and then rented a 
farm in New Berlin Township and in a few years 
had saved a sufficient amount to warrant him in 
securing a home. He bought the farm he now 
occupies on section 22 — an eighty-acre tract of 
choice and valuable land. He has surrounded him- 
self with all the comforts that one could wish for, 
the outbuildings on the estate being first class and 
the other improvements in keeping. He has recently 
erected a fine residence with modern improvements, 
tliat disiila3s great taste in its design and substan- 
tial construction. 

In connection with the crops which he raises Mr. 
Krais deals extensively' in good cattle and hogs, 
selling two carloads of the latter per year. He is 
unmarried, but in his vocation and the social life 
in which he takes a part, finds sufficient employ- 
ment for his time and enjoyment for his mind. 
In politics he is a strong Democrat and religiously 
an iqually stanch adherent of tlie Lutheran faith. 




fL^. ARVEY THOMPSON, a veteran in his con- 
nection with the business life of Mechanics- 
burg, is as widely and favorably known as 
an}' man interested in the affairs of this 
thriving town. For forty years he has been identi- 
fied witli its educational, religious and commercial 
interests, for long years as a member of tlie firm of 
Thomjjson Bros., and more recently as a retired 
merchant retaining his connection with the ui)- 
bnildingof tlie town. Notwithstanding his marked 
ability in eomniercial transactions and his mental 



strength, Mr. Thompson is modest and retiring and 
treats all with whom he comes in contact with the 
most perfect courtesy. 

John Thompson, the father of our subject, was 
born in Dauphin County, Pa., in 1783. In 1802 he 
went to Montgomery County, Ky., and a few years 
later married Elizabeth Ferguson. That lady was 
born in Montgomery County, June 18, 1791, and 
celebrated her wedding. November 13, 1817. Tir- 
ing of their Kentucky home Mr. and Mrs. Thomp- 
son came to Illinois in October, 1836, and settled 
on a farm in what is now Mechanicsburg Town- 
ship, this count}'. There they continued their 
residence until called from time to eternity, the fa- 
ther of our subject passing away October 14, 1855, 
and the mother in October, 1868. 

Our subject was born in Montgomery County, 
Ky., February 2, 1820. Reared on a farm, he was 
obliged to be content with the meager schooling 
of the time in the rural districts, but with the 
energy and intelligence that characterizes him, he 
gained much wisdom as he grew older by observa- 
tion and reading. He began his personal career as 
a farmer and in the brief time devoted to agricul- 
ture, acquired quite a lauded estate. In 1849 he 
began business in Mechanicsburg as a merchant 
and continued to exercise his abilit}' in that way for 
many years. It is probably safe to say that no firm 
has ever more fully enjoj'ed the confidence of the 
people than that of Thompson Bros. 

In 1873, under the old firm name, our subject 
embarked in banking, a substantial building being 
put up I)}' the fii-m for that purpose. I'he bank 
was a private institution, depending for its success 
entirely on the solvency and integrity of its stock- 
holders. So well were they known that its success 
was assured from the first. He of whom we write 
retired fron) business by selling out to his brother, 
A. T. Thompson. This did not mean a loss of interest 
in the financial affairs of the town, for lie still owns 
buildings and is constantl}- adding new ones, as the 
demands increase. He is Vice-President of the 
Mechanicsburg & Buffalo Railroad, in the stock of 
which he and his brothers own a controlling in- 
terest. 

Mr. Thompson w.as one of the principal instru- 
ments in securing the above-named medium of 




^^^ A^, /3./?/L/ — ^^^' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



441 



travel, and here, as elsewhere, he makes his influ- 
ence felt, iniproviniT the line anil increasing its fa- 
cilities for traffic and transportation. Mr. Thomp- 
son has been connected with the civil affairs of the 
township as Supervisor and with educational mat- 
ters as School Director or Trustee for many j'ears. 
Ilis religious membership is in the Church of 
Christ and he is an earnest worker in the Gospel 
field. Whatever he takes an interest in is pushed 
forward with zeal, and although he is becoming ad- 
vanced in years, he still makes his iulluence felt in 
the various departments of life. 

In 1844 Jlr. Thompson vvas married to RFary B. 
Hughes, a native of Bureau County, K3'. Sometime 
after the lass of that companion he won for his 
wife Mary A. Patton, a native of Pike County, Mo., 
their marriage rites being celebrated in 1857. One 
son survives as the fruit of this union. This is 
Edward P., a business man of IMechanicsbnrg, who 
married Emma Huff, and has two charming chil- 
dren — Harvey and Ethel. The present wife of our 
subject was Mrs. Ruth A. Hubbard nee Davis, a na- 
tive of Scott County, who became Mrs. Thompson 
in 1869. 



,f^O'L. GEORGE B. RICHARDSON. This 
jir^^gentleman is the owner of quite an extensive 
^^'tract of land in Clear Lake Township, to- 
gether with a number of houses and lots in the 
town of Riverton and valuable real estate else- 
where. He comes of old New England stock, and 
throughout the course of his life has disjilayed the 
energy characteristic of that people and so has 
prospered in worldly affairs and won good repute 
wherever he is known. He has been connected 
with the business life of this county since the last 
year of the Civil War, and has not only advanced 
his own interests b}' his labors hero but afforded 
cmi)loyment to others and helped to promote the 
prosperity of the citizens by increasing the circu- 
lation of the medium of trade. 

It is known that at least three generations of 
Richardsons, prior to the time of our subject, were 
born in the Granite State. There Eri Richardson, | 
the father of our subject, spent his childhood and I 



youth, and after reaching maturity married Abigail 
Brngg, a native of the same State. Soon after 
their marriage the j'oung couple settled in the 
State of A'ermont, where they remained until he 
of whom we write was seven years old. They then 
returned to their native State where they remained 
during the balance of their lives. The husband 
died in 1884, at the age of sevent3'-eight years, and 
the wife in 1886, at the age of eighty. Mr. Rich- 
ardson was a member of (he Baptist Church. In 
his life's labors he combined the occupations of a 
farmer and carpenter. Our subject is the only son 
of his parents, whose family also included four 
daughters who are still living in the East, all ex- 
cept one being married. 

George B. Richardson was born in a log house 
in Moretown, Vt., December 22, 1821. He at- 
tended school in the old-fa.shioned schoolhouse of 
the country district, his home being on a farm un- 
til he was sixteen 3'ears old. In common with 
other sons of farmers he began to bear a share in 
the labors of life as soon as his strength would 
permit, and so developed his self-reliance and ac- 
quired habits of industry that have clung to him 
through life. At the age before mentioned he left 
his home, and going to Massachusetts, found em- 
plo3'ment on the old Wooster Railroad as a track 
repairer. He finally took charge of the track lay- 
ing on the Colony Railroad and its branches, and 
after some time spent thus became a conductor on 
the same road, filling the position four 3'ears. 

In 1852 Mr. Richardson came West and accepted 
a [losition as conductor on the AVabash Railroad. 
He at the same time had charge of the construc- 
tion train and delivered a large amount of material. 
After remaining with the road about five years as 
road master and superintending the building of the 
road he located in St. Louis, Mo., and engaged in 
land speculation in the Southwest and Southeast, 
doing an extensive business for about three 3'ears. 
In 1860 he went to Memphis, Tenn., where he had 
a large mill and land, and personall3' superintended 
the business, getting out a large amount of staves 
and lumber. He returned to St. Louis about the 
time the war broke out and for a time was engaged 
in a wholesale trade in merchandise. He next 
went to Louisiana, Mo., where he purchased a store 



44-2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and carried on business for two or three years. As 
before stated be came to tbis county just before 
the close of the war, and locating in Clear Lake 
Township, contracted to furnish coal and wood to 
Camp Butler. 

The title by which our subject is popularly known 
is a reminder of his connection with the State mil- 
itia of Missouri. He has given considerable study 
to tlie political issues, is a firm believer in the prin- 
ciples laid down in the Republican platform and 
never fails to support thera by his vote. His 
landed estate in Clear Lake Township consists of 
nearly six hundred acres, while in Iron County, 
Mo., he has three hundred and twenty acres. He 
pays great attention to stock-raising, breeding all 
kinds of domestic animals of good grades, and 
breeds that have been proved valuable. He has 
served his township one term as Supervisor and 
held other civic positions, but is not an office-seeker 
by any means. He has been a railroad contractor 
for a number of years and is held in high esteem 
by railroad men. 

It is with pleasure that we -present the litho- 
graphic portrait of Col. Richardson as that of a 
leading and representative citizen of Sangamon 
County. 



/^^ riARLES E. YIGAL, who resides on sec- 
(li „ tion 8, Cotton Hill Township, has spent 
^^y his entire life upon the homestead farm 
of the Vigal family. His father John T. Vi- 
gal, was born in Jefferson County, K}'., in 1808, 
but we know nothing definite concerning the early 
history of the family or its establishment in 
America. During his }'outh John Vigal emigrated 
westward locating in (.Hark Count}^ Ind., where he 
became acquainted with and married Miss Hannah 
Coble, who was born in that county in 1811. In 
the autumn of 1830 he came to Sangamon County, 
and settled upon the old homestead where he spent 
the remainder of an active and useful life. He was 
an ardent supporter of Republican principles, 
labored earnestly for the success of his party and 
did all in his power to promote the general welfare 
of the comnninitv. He was indeed a wortliy citi- 



zen, and his death which occurred April 26, 1887, 
was sincerely mourned. He had long survived his 
wife who died on the old farm in May, 1853. They 
were parents of five sons and four daughters as fol- 
lows: Melvina, William H., Alfred, Marj' A., John 
F., .Sarah J., Nancy C. David M. and Charles E. 
With the exception of Nancy who died at the age 
of nine j'ears all grew to manhood and womanhood. 
John F. gave his life in defence of his country dur- 
ing the late war. He enlisted as a member of Com- 
pany E, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois 
Infantry and was killed at the battle of Tupelo, 
Miss., July 15, 1864, when about twenty-four 
years of age. 

On the 10th of March, 1852, Charles E. Vigal 
first opened his eyes to the light of daj'. The home 
which has been the scene of his manhood successes 
witnessed bis childish efforts and youthful amuse, 
ments. In the common schools of the neighbor- 
hood he acquired his education, pursuing his 
lessons during the winter months,while in the sum- 
mer season he aided in the labors of the farm. Only 
six months has he S|)ent elsewhere than on the old 
homestead — that short period being passed in 
Rochester Township, where on the 7th of January, 
1875, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Marj' A. 
Miller, daughter of Samuel and Eliza Miller, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. She was 
born in that township, September 19, 1855, and by 
her marriage has become the mother of three chil- 
dren — Luther F., P^liza E. and Mary Ethel, but the 
last named died at the age of ten months. 

Mr. Vigal has made farming his life work and in 
connection with the cultivation of his land has en- 
gaged in stock-raising. He also for about four 
years engaged in carpentering but devoted the 
greater part of his attention to agricultural pursuits. 
He now owns one hundred and forty acres of good 
land under a high state of cultivation, where may 
be found all the modern imi)rovements, including 
barns, and outbuildings that are models of conven- 
ience. In his political affiliations he was formerly 
a Republican, having supported that party since 
attaining his majoritj', but the last year has 
found him in the ranks of the Prohibition party 
which he supports by voice and vote. The offices 
of Township Clerk, Highway Commissioner and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



443 



School Director he has fiUeil. discharging their 
varied duties witli a promptness and fidelity whicli 
liave won him the confidence and respect of all with 
wliom lie lias come in contact. lie and Iiis wife 
liold iiienibersliip in tlie Metliodist Episcopal 
Church, are among its active workers and liave 
done not a little for its interests for and for its 
upbuilding. Mr. V'igal in the congregation to 
which he belongs has held the ollices of Steward, 
Trustee and Sunday-school Superintendent. 



^.^^^s^m 



m> 



<^] OHN W. RAMSEY, one of the leading 
stock-raisers of the county is proprietor of 
the celebrated '• Glenthorn Stock Farm" in 
Springfield TownshiiJ, where he has a fine 
iot of Percheron, German and French coach horses 
that have attracted much attention for their 
superior qualities from stockmen and have won 
premiums at fairs. 

Mr. Ramsey is a n.ative of Monongahela Count3', 
W. ^'a., where he was born June 20, 1840. Ho 
lived in his native State until I^ebruary, 1862, when 
ill the opening years of a stalwart manhood he came 
to this State to take advantage of its fine agricul- 
tural f.acilities. For nearly three years after his 
arrival here he engaged in farming in Rock Island 
County. From there he went to Livingston County 
where he also tilled the soil and was interested in 
horse-raising. In April, 1875, he took up his resi- 
dence at Jacksonville, and was there extensively 
engaged in importing and breeding horses. He re- 
mained in thai city until February, 1888, when he 
came to Sangamon County, and located just east of 
ihe city of Springfield. 

Mr. Ramsey keeps a choice selection of Percheron 
and coach horses of which he has about thirty head. 
He took first premiums on his stock at the Sanga- 
mon County Fair in 1890. On four German coach 
lioises he took two first prizes and two second 
prizes, aud he took two first jirizes on French coach 
horses and second prizes on two more; and on four 
Percherons exhibited, he took one first prize and 
one second prize. He imported a French coacli 
stallion four year-old that took the first prize, a 



thousand franc Gold Medal as a three year old in 
the fourth section at the Paris Exposition in 1889. 
He has one two-year-old German coach stallion 
that took the first medal as the best yearling at 
Oldenburg, Germany. The above-mentioned horses 
were imported in the summer of 1800. 

Mr. Ramsey was married in Livingston County, 
February 2, 1871, to Miss Lila M. Wilson a native 
of Ohio, and to her tact and alile management he 
is indebted for the comfort and attractiveness of his 
pleasant home. 

Mr. Ramsey is a keen judge of horse-flesh, noting 
very quickly the good or bad points of an animal, 
has a thorough understanding of his business as a 
horse-breeder, and Sangamon County is greatly in- 
debted to him for what he has done to raise the 
standard of horses bred in this part of the State. 
He is a prominent member of the Percheron Society, 
of the French Draft Horse Association, and of the 
C'l3desdale Association, and is doing much to ad- 
vance the business in which he is so much interested. 
He is a man of marked ability, of clear brain and of 
large tact, and his standing in financial circles is of 
the highest. The stock-farm is situated a quarter 
of a mile east of East Grand Avenue, on Washing- 
ton Street. Politically Mr. Ramsey is a Republican. 



<-i»i^-^SB>l 



<i?*<f-»<^i<S- 



'j^.ROF. MICHAEL B. GARBER. Next to 
J Jjj the home in its effect upon the future of 
" the rising generation stands the school, 
and in manj' cases where poverty or ignor- 
ance are the heritage of a family it is even a more 
important factor than the home in determining the 
weal or woe of the j'outh. The selection of teach- 
ers is therefore a subject of vast importance, and 
no one is better deserving of representation in a 
biographical album than he who has shown his fit- 
ness for the work of an instructor. It is therefore 
with pleasure that we incorporate the principal 
facts in the life of Prof. Michael Garber, Principal 
of the Illiopolis public schools, in this volume. 

The natal day of our subject was December 10, 
1850, and his birthplace Montgomery County, 
Ohio. His parents, John and Susannah (Becchlv) 



444 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Garber, came to Illinois in 1873, and the father died 
here August 5, 1889. Tlie mother also died here 
on the 8th of September, 1890. She was a native 
of Ohio, while her husband was reared in the Shen- 
andoah Valle}', Ya. The son, of whom we write, 
grew to maturity' in Miami Count}', Ind., near the 
city of Peru. Such was his proficiency at school 
tlint at the age of eigliteen years he began the 
caieer as a teacher, that is yet in successful course. 
He enjoyed the distinction of being chosen teacher 
in the district in which he was himself educated in 
the common-school branches. 

After a successful experience of three years Mr. 
Garber felt the need of further preparation for his 
profession and took a course of study at the Na- 
tional Normal School in Lebanon, Ohio. After 
another term as a pedagogue in Indiana he returned 
to his native State, and near his birthplace resumed 
his profession. In 1873 he came to this county 
with his parents and found employment near 
Chatham. Five years later his reputation had 
grown to such an extent that he was elected Prin- 
cipal of the Chatham school and in his advanced 
position he at once took rank as a first-class educa- 
tor. From Chatham he went to North Springfield, 
where he taught a six months term and then re- 
signed his school and returned home to engage in 
farming. The next year he commenced teaching 
at Sweetwater, 111. While at Springfield he ac- 
cepted a committee clerkship in the State Legisla- 
ture, thus securing a temporary respite from the 
arduous duties of his profession. 

Prof. Garber re entered the schoolroom at New 
Berlin. In 1888 he was elected Principal of the 
lUiopolis public school which, under his skillful and 
experienced liands has risen to the front rank. A 
carefully prepared curriculum is followed, and the 
diplomas granted bj- the Board are evidence of ex- 
cellent scholarship and meritorious conduct. While 
engaged in the duties of his profession Prof. Gar- 
ber has not neglected his own culture, but has 
taken a special course iu industrial art in Purdue 
I'niversity, at LaFayette, Ind., and in elocution 
under the tutelage of Profs. Hammell and Lyman, 
both prominent teachers of that art in Chicago. 

Politically, Prof. Garber is a stanch Democrat. 
He has been prominent iu the partv councils where 



he has sojourned, and was at one time a candidate 
for the nomination as County Superintendent and 
only defeated by a combination of peculiar circum- 
stances. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a 
member of the fraternity of Modern Woodmen 
of America. His religious membership is iu the 
Brethren Church. Prof. Garber owes his success 
solely to his own efforts, having been dependent 
upon himself for his support, education and prog- 
ress since he was quite j-oung. He is certainly one 
of the rising men of the county, and one who will 
long be held in respectful remembrance b}' those 
who have been under his care and training and by 
all friends of education. 

It would be supposed that a gentlemen of Prof. 
Garber's mental culture and moral tone would de- 
sire the companionship of a lady of equally fine 
character and intelligence. Such was the case, and 
he won for his wife Miss Ida Tomlin, to whom he 
was married June 17, 1889. Mrs. Garber was born 
in Pleasant Plains, was graduated from the Wash- 
ington High School at Jacksonville, and was a 
teacher of fine repute, her specialty being primary 
work in which slie was not excelled. 



-^ 



<|, IJ?ILLIAM RILEY ROSS has been one of 
\rj// the prominent citizens of Sangamon County 
\^/^ since early pioneer days and has been a po- 
tent factor in its upbuilding. He occupies a high 
place among its most honored citizens and is one 
of its leading farmers and horse breeders. He was 
an early settler of Cooper Township, and on the 
homestead that he purchased here fiftv jears ago 
when it was a tract of timber he has ever since 
made his home, it being one of the most valuable 
farms in tliis part of the county. 

October 3, 1809, was the date of the birth of our 
subject in Essex Count}', N. J. At the age of four 
years he was taken from his early home to Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. His father was a blacksmith and was 
very skillful in his calling. He died in 1832 dur- 
ing the cholera epidemic in Cincinnati. In the 
early '30s our subject came to Illinois and began to 
work at his trade which he had learned from his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



445 



father. It was he who raade the first scouring 
plows and the first iron implements iji this county. 
In 1840 he purchased his present farm, and by in- 
cessant and well-directed toil has developed it from 
a wild tract of land to it5 present fine condition. 
He owns about five hundred acres of land which 
are fertile and well tilled and his improvements are 
of the most substantial and well ordered kind. 

Mr. Ross has alwa\-s been an admirer of fine 
horses and now has on bis farm a herd of thorough- 
bred Kentuck}- horses that is not excelled by anj- 
other in this State. Mr. Ross is a man of man3' 
acquirements. He is a natural mechanic aud can 
make anj'thing in wood or metal. He is a model 
farmer as is attested bj* the appearance of his farm. 
Though eighty-one }"ears of age. he retains complete 
use of all his faculties to a remarkable degree and is 
as bright and active as many much younger men. 
Mr. Ross has been twice married. He was first 
wedded ia 1834, and of that marriage three children 
were born of whom all are now dead. To him aud 
his second wife were born six children. 

Our subject possesses a vigorous, intelligent 
mind aud is liberal in his views and generous in his 
acts. A man of his calibre and high standing is 
necessarily Tcry influential in his community and 
he has been called to places of responsibility and 
trust many times. He has been in office almost 
continuously for fifty 3ears. aud his record for 
honesty and failiifulness during that long period 
of time is unblemished. In his religious belief he 
is a sound Universalist. Politically' he is a Demo- 
crat of the straightest type. 




HARLES KNEPLER is the son of a pioneer 
of this count}', of which he is a native, and 
he is actively aiding in carrying on its ex- 
tensive agricultural interests. His farm is pleas- 
antly located on section 9, Island Grove Township, 
and originall}- formed a part of his father's old 
homestead, which the latter redeemed from the 
wilderness. 

March 5, 1861, is the date of the birth of our 
subject in this township. He is a son of Peter aud 



Catherine Knepler, who were natives of Lorraine, 
France, where the father was born in 1816. and the 
mother in 1819. They came to this country in the 
3'ear 1847 and landed in New Orleans. Mr. Knep- 
ler had barel}- fifteen cents when he arrived in this 
land of strangers, but he soon obtained emploj'- 
ment in tlie Crescent Cit^', and from the proceeds of 
his work he was enabled to pay his fare to Si)ring- 
field, where he again found himself without means. 
He began work in a hemp mill at 510 a month, and 
was thus emploj-ed for about two j'ears. He next 
turned his attention to farming and worked a farm 
of Capt. Brown in Island Grove Township. It was 
hard work to get a good start in life in this coun- 
try, but with the united efforts of himself and his 
good wife he at last set the wheel of fortune turn- 
ing, and in time became prosperous. His wife was 
indeed of great assistance to him, as while he was 
working on the farm she was getting $1 a week in 
Mr. Brown's family for cooking, and doing other 
work. These good people were among the early 
settlers of this section of the State. When they 
came here there were but two houses at New Ber- 
lin, and the site of the farm that Mr. Knepler sub- 
sequently purchased on section 9, Island Grove 
Township, was truly a wilderness. They wrestled 
earnestl}' with the hardships and trials of pioneer 
life, and b}' hard work acquired a good farm of one 
hundred and seventy-six acres of choice farming 
land. The father's life was rounded out January 
17, 1887, at a ripe age, and the mother closed her 
eyes in death December 7, 1887, and both were 
buried in the Catholic cemeter}' at New Berlin. 

Our subject is one of a family of seven children, 
and he was reared to a stalwart manhood under the 
influences of pioneer life. After the death of the 
father his estate was divided, and Charles received 
his share aud has since been activel}' engaged in its 
cultivation and further injprovement. He is now 
erecting a handsome residence on the site of the 
old homestead and will have here one of the most 
attractive homes in the township. In the cultiva- 
tion of his land he is showing much skill and good 
judgment, so that he reaps from his fertile fields 
abundant harvests. 

Mr. Knepler rem.iined an inmate of the parental 
household till he married aud established a home 



446 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of his own, his union with Miss Cecelia Gardner 
being solemnized June 29, 1884, in Island Grove 
Township. Mrs. Knepler is a native of Ireland and 
a daugliter of Michael and Mary Gardner, natives 
of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Knepler are lield in high 
estimation in their community, as they are hospit- 
able, kindly and obliging in their relations with 
their neighbors. There have been born to them 
four bright children, as follows: Thomas P., Charles 
F., Maggie A. and Joseph M., all at home. Mr. 
Knepler is a good citizen and a credit to his native 
township. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, as 
was his father before him. 



' ERF;MIAH KING. This gentleman is one 
of the substantial farmers of New Berlin 
Township, and is deserving of great credit 
for the manner in wliicli he lias spent his 
mature years, working so industriously and hon- 
estly that lie lias secured quite a fortune. He is 
the representative of one of tlie pioneer families of 
tiie county, his father having come to the Stale in 
1817, and soon afterward becoming a resident of this 
county. He inherits those sterling traits wliicii 
characlerized the frontiersmen, and in the occupa 
tions in which he lias been engaged has displayed 
tlie s.ame energy and determination that made his 
progenitors valued members of a pioneer commu- 
nity. 

John King, the father of our subject, was born in 
Kentucky, April 2, 180C, and married Sarah Earn- 
est, who was born in the same .State in 1807. Mr. 
King came to this State while still in his boyhood, 
his (irst home being in b"t. Clair County, whence he 
came to this county, settling in Curran Township. 
As one of the very earliest of the locaters here, he 
lived on prairie chickens, venison and wild turkey 
until tiie land was brought to a condition of pro- 
ductiveness and it was possible to reach markets. 
Mr. King entered and purchased one hundred acres 
of land, situated one mile north of the present 
home of his son. There he died in 1843. His 
wife survived until November 22, 1879. 
The son of whom we write was born on the home- 



stead September 19, 1830, and passed his boyhood 
and youth amid somewhat primitive surroundings, 
employing himself in the usual occupations of the 
members of pioneer families. He remained at home 
until he was twenty-three years of age, when he de- 
termined to see some of the world, and started for 
the gold mines of California. For three years he de- 
voted all his energy to a search for the precious 
metal, then returned to his home, and after a short 
sojourn started off on a second tour. 'I his time lie 
went to Texas, where he remained during the win- 
ter, then returning homeward rented a farm and 
settled down to the life of a tiller of the soil. He 
had the proceeds of sji! 1,500 in gold dust which he 
converted into money and expended in the pur- 
chase of an eighty-acre farm azid the stocking of 
the tract preparatory to his labor thereon. To this 
original [lurchase he has added other tracts until he 
now has an undisputed title to some three hundred 
and twenty-two aufl a half acres. 

On August 28, 1802, in Old Berlin Township the 
solemn ceremony was performed] that united the 
lives of our sidiject and Miss Mar\' E. Douglas. 
After a happy wedded life of a quarter of a cen- 
tury, the couple were separated b3' deatii, Mrs. 
King dying in 1888. Eleven children h.ad come to 
bless the union, nine of whom are now living. In 
domestic life our subject is kindly and affectionate; 
in business affairs, honest and just; anil as a citi- 
zen, worthy of the confiilence of the community. 
In' politics he is a Democrat. He has served as 
Road Commissioner one year and has acted as 
School Director for a much longer period. 



'i- -fv-^-v-^- 



EORGE E. FORD, a member of the firm of 
Ford <fe Smith, grain dealers, lUiopolis, is a 
joung man of marked enterprise and busi- 
ness sagacity, ami is a credit to the citizenship of 
this his native county, where he was born December 
28, 1858. He comes of fine old pioneer stock, and 
is a son of the well-known Aaron C. Ford. 

Boze Ford, the grandfather of our subject, was a 
pjjtive of Marshall County, Ky., and came to lUi- 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



447 



nois in 1851. He was a farmer and during his life 
was one of the solid men of the county. He was a 
man of great integrity and a devout Christian, 
having been a member of the Christian Church for 
half a centurj'. 

Aaron C. Ford, the fatlier of our subject, was 
born in Marshall County, Ky., January 13,1827, 
and at Ihe youthful age of sixteen years started in 
life for himself, coming to Illinois in 1843 and im- 
mediately began to mark out a career for himself. 
He labored hard In the summer and attended school 
in winter until he had acquired an excellent com- 
mon-school education, which was supplemented by 
a term at a private school. In 1850 he came to Illi- 
opolis Township, and w.as the first to set plow in 
the soil of Big Prairie. Hy honesty, unremitting 
industry and sagacious judgment he acquired a fine 
estate of farm land, and lias ever been foremost in 
improvement and the emplo)ment of new methods. 
Like his father, he is a man of strict integrity and 
sound piety. He has been a member of the Chris- 
tian Church for forty years and has been a Justice 
of the Peace. He is at present enjoying life in 
ease and contentment on the Pacific Coast. He was 
married in early manhood to Rebecca Averitt, who 
has been to him all that a tine wife and faithful 
companion can be and has aided him in attaining 
prosperity. 

The subject of this biography was reared on the 
old Ford homestead and in addition to a sound 
common-school education had the advantage of a 
course at the Jacksonville Business College. He 
early acquired a knowledge of farming, to which 
he was bred, and first entered business with his 
father as Ford & Son, grain dealers at Illiopolis 
and Lanesville, and as extensive buyers elsewhere. 
The tirm was subsequently changed by the elder 
Ford sel'ling out to a Mr. Smith, and the business 
is now conducted under the name of Ford & Smith. 
These gentlemen have command of a large trade 
extending over considerable territorj-, and the 
affairs of the company are in a flourishing con- 
dition. 

Mr. Ford inherits in a large degree the business 
tact characteristic of his ancestry and is known for 
his square dealing. Those with whom he has busi- 
ness relations are sure of receiving fair and liberal 



treatment at his hands. He is of good financial 
standing and bids fair to be one of the wealthy 
men of his township. Socially he is a Mason. 
Religiously he is true to the faith of his fathers 
and is a stanch member of the Christian Church. 

Mr. Ford and Miss Rosa Fazier united their lives 
and fortunes in 1888. Mrs. Ford is .n native of 
Adams County, III., and comes of one of the good 
pioneer families of the State. She and her husband 
have made for themselves a cozy and attractive 
liome in Illiopolis and their home circle is com- 
pleted by the two baby daughters that have come 
to them, Lucie G. and Lola M. 



\fZ-_, UGH McLaughlin. Among the men 
who are conducting the farming interests of 
this count}' are many old soldiers who 

i^) helped to save the Union in the late war. 
Our subject occupies an lionorable place as one of 
this class, and his farm on section 7, Island Grove 
Township, compares favorably with others in its 
vicinity. 

Mr. McLaughlin was born March 4. 1828, in 
Holmes County, Ohio. He is a son of Andrew and 
Jane McLaughlin, natives respectively of Ireland 
and Scotland. They were niari-ied near Alleghany, 
Pa., and the father died in the State of Ohio in 
1800. The mother of our subject is living at a 
venerable age and makes her home in IMissouri. 

Hugh McLaughlin was in the opening years of a 
vigorous, manly manhood when the war broke out, 
and on the IGtli of July, 1861, he offered his ser- 
vices to his countr}', enlisting on that day in 
Company B, Sixteenth Ohio Infanlr}'. He was in 
many hard-fought l)attles, and his coolness, cour- 
age and fidelity' to duty won him honor as a soldier. 
He faced the enemy at Vicksburg and at Chamjiion 
Hill, and was present at many other engagements. 
He was honorably discharged in 1864, after three 
years' experience of the hardships and sacrifices of 
a soldier's life. 

After leaving the arm}^ our subject returned to 
his home, which was then at Akron, Ohio. He had 
come to this county in 1852, and had here met, 



448 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



wooed and won Miss Kate Yates, who was reared 

and educated in this part of the State. - She is a 
member of the Christian Church at Old Berlin, and 
is a woman of excellent character, who is devoted 
to the interests of her husband and family and is 
greatly esteemed by her neighbors. Her happy 
wedded life with our subject has brought to them 
eight children, named as follows: Thomas Y., 
Anna, Henry, Kata B., Carley and Dick (twins); 
John and Pheba J. 

Mr. McLaughlin is a hard working, industrious 
man, and is meeting with unqualified success in liis 
business as a farmer. His farm is very pleasantly 
located one and one-half miles from Old Berlin, 
and be has greatly increased its value since it came 
into his possession by the improvements he has 
placed upon it, and by tilling its fields after the 
best methods. 

Our subject received his education in Ohio, where 
his early youth was passed, and is a well-informed 
man. He is sensible and practical in iiis views of 
life, and is independent in his political sentiments, 
believing that party siiould be sacrificed for the 
man. 



^ GEORGE KLOR, who is eng.aged in fruit 
farming on section 36, Gardner Township, 
where he owns one hundred and twenty 
acres of fine land, is numbered among the 
early settlers of the community and is one of the 
self-made men of the county. Widely and favor- 
ably known, his friends are many, and by his fel- 
low-townsmen lie is held in high regard. The 
history of his life is as follows: 

He was born in Millheim, Baden, Germany, on 
the 25th of August, 1824, and when three 3'ears of 
.age was taken by his parents to Auggen, where he 
was reared upon a farm. Fruit growing was the 
princip.al oecup.ation of his father, and in his youth 
he became familiar with that branch of industry. 
When twenty 3'c-ars of age he was drafted into the 
German army, serving three months as a member 
of the First Battery, but as his father needed his 
services he sent a substitute for him and George 
returned to his home where he remained four years. 



It was his desire to come to America where he 
could be free, but about that time, in 1848, the 
revolution in Baden broke out and he joined the 
peo|)le's army, serving until the close of the strug- 
gle. Political reasons then made it unsafe for him 
longer to remain in his native land, and in Septem- 
ber, 1850, he carried out his long cherished plan of 
coming to America. He sailed from Havre, Frarce, 
on board a sailing-vessel, and after fifty-two days 
spent upon the briny deep reached New Orleans. 

Mr. Klor then began life iu the New W^orld. In 
all these years he has never yet had occasion to 
regret the step then taken, for prosperity has 
smiled upon his efforts and pleasant associations 
have sprung up around him, endearing to him his 
adopted land. For five months he remained in the 
Crescent City, working as a day laborer, and then 
made his way up the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers 
to Louisville, where he was variously employed 
until the spring of 1852, when he went to Alton, 
III., and thence came to Springfield. He spent 
four weeks in the Capital City doing nothing. 
Employment in that season of the j'ear was hard to 
find, so he went into the country, where he worked 
as a farm hand for Ezra Lyon, Logan McMurray 
and later for James Bates, with whom he remained 
a year. In 1856 he was taken sick, and the ex- 
penses attending his illness exhausted his hard- 
earned savings. He had to begin life anew, but 
his old employer again gave him work, and also 
offered to permit him to attend school. 

The home farm was also improved and developed 
by Mr. Klor. He cleared the land, turned the first 
furrows thereon, planted crops and in the course of 
time fertile fields were yielding abundant harvests. 
He also cut and sold cordwood, disposing of three 
hundred cords alone in one winter. The money 
thus obtained, amounting to nearly $4,000, he 
placed in the bank, but the bank broke and he only 
realized about seventy cents on the dollar. It will 
thus be seen that Mr. Klor had his share of adver- 
sity, and he was not the only one dependent upon 
his exertions for a livelihood, as the support of Iris 
parents devolved upon him. The Klor homestead, 
a view of which is shown on another page, is now the 
property of our subject, he having purchased the 
interest of the otlier membei's of the family. It is 



K^Ft^.t'-M^^^'i^ ^= 






^•~T"I"n~X ^ 










RESIDENCE OF J.GEORGE K LO R ,. SEC5 25.iS 3G GARDN ER TP SANGAM ON CO. I LL. 




RESIDENCE OF C. C. BRECKE^4RI DOE, 5 EC.l COTTON H I LL TP SANGAMON CO, ILL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



451 



now a highly improved farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres, with a thirty-acre tract of limber 
land adjoining. The entire amount is under fence, 
a living stream supplies water to !iis stock, and a 
ten-acre (irchard proves an inportant branch of his 
income. He raises all kinds of fruits, and in the 
summer season makes daily trips to market to dis- 
pose of the products of tree and vine. Mr. Klor is 
a member of the Lutheran Church, is a Democrat 
in politics and has served as Pathmaster. 



^j LEOPHAS C. BRECKENRIDGE. The 
ill _ Breckenridge homestead consists of four 
^^^^ hundred and two acres of the valuable land 
that makes Sangamon County a fit home for enter- 
prising and progressive farmers. It forms a part 
of section 1. Cotton Hill Township, and is fur- 
nished with all the modern conveniences for the per- 
fect transaction of the work to whicli it is devoted 
and the comfort of the family which make it their 
home. The buildings are tirst-class in design and 
construction and include an especiall3- comfortaide 
and well-furnished dwelling which, with its sur- 
roundings, is represented by a view elsewhere in this 
volume. In this edifice, a room has been set apart 
for the large and interesting collection of lelics 
that have been secured b}- Mr. Breckenridge, and 
that forms a veritable museum of curious and val- 
uable mementoes of the war and other specimens, 
such as well re|)ay examination. Man3' of these 
relics were obtained at great trouble and would 
prove a valuable addition to the collection pre- 
served by the .State in the museum at Spiingfleld. 
In Bourbon County, Ky., near Paris, the lale 
Preston Breckenridge was born August 5, 1807, 
and in Nicholas County the eyes of Catherine Mo- 
Itr opened to tlie light, August 30, 1804. This 
couple were united in marriage at the bride's home 
November 17, 1827, and spent a few j-ears of 
wedded life in the county where their marriage 
took place. They then removed to this county, 
arriving in October, 1834, and at once taking up 
their residence on the farm now owned and operated 
by their son, our subject. The faithful wife and 
mother died February 4, 1847, and the father sub- 



sequently married Lucy D. Robb, who survived 
until November 18, 1854. Mr. Breckenridge lived 
until July 26, 1880, reaching a goodly old age. 
His first marriage was blessed by the birth of seven 
sons and five daughters. He w.is a near rel;ition of 
Hon. John C. Breckenridge, whose connection with 
politics is well known and belongs to the annals of 
hislorj'. 

Tl)e gentleman of whom we write was the si.xth 
child of his parents and was born in the township 
in which he still lives, August 7, 1836. He passed 
his b03'hood and youth ainid the usual surround- 
ings of a farm and m the pursuance of the studies 
and occupations suited to his years, developing his 
natural aljilities, botii physical and mental, and 
full_v equipping himself for the battle of life. The 
vocation in which his respected father was engaged 
was that which he chose as his own, and the suc- 
cess that has crowned his efforts proves the wisdom 
of his choice. It needs but a glance over his broad 
fields to convince the beholder that he makes of his 
calling both an art and a science, and he is a close 
student of the |)li3'sical conditions that increase or 
diminish the crop iirt)spect. 

The patriotism that slumbers in the breast of 
every true American was aroused to its highest 
pitch in the heart of Mr. Breckenridge when the 
attempt was made on the National life in 18G1 and 
before the summer was past he was enrolled among 
his country's defenders. His name was attached 
to the muster roll of Company 1), Thirty-thiid 
Illinois Infantry and ere long he was at the front 
winning the admiration of his comrades and the 
commendation of his su|)erior officers for his 
bravery, devotion to duty and cheerfulness under 
all circumstances. ''My country first, my personal 
comfort afterward," Avas the burden of his actions, 
and no duty was too severe for his gallant spirit to 
endure so long as it promised to keep intact the 
old flag. At the assault on Vicksburg, M.ay 22, 
1863, he was severely wounded in tlie right side 
and was unable to do duty for several weeks. Be- 
sides that famed encounter, he took i)art in the bat- 
tles of Fredericktown, Cotton Plant, Magnolia 
Hill, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Black 
River Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, the second 
battle of Jackson, Ft. Esperanza and Cold water. 



452 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM 



At the residence of Johnson and Mary (Thomas) 
Cave, in Montgomery County, this State, January 
30. 18GS, the marriage rites of Mr. Breckenridge 
and Lillian T. Cave were solemnized. The liride 
was the second cliild and eldest daughter of the 
host and hostess who had removed from their na- 
tive State, Kentucky, to this county in 1861 and 
thence departed to Montgomery County. Mrs. 
Breckenridge was born in Ballard County, Ky., 
August 12, 1818. She was the recipient of good 
educational advantages and excellent home train- 
ing, and developed the graces of mind and heart 
that give her influence and prominence in societ}' 
and qualify her to discharge the manifold duties 
that belong to wifehood and motherhood. She is 
the mother of three children, one of whom was re- 
moved from earth in infancy. The survivors are 
Inez A., now the wife of C. F. Spicer, and Ida B., 
who yet brightens the parental fireside by her pres- 
ence. The young ladies are educated, refined and 
pleasing in manners, ornaments to societj' and use- 
ful in religious and benevolent circles. 

Mr. Breckenridge has filled some of the school 
offices in a manner creditable to his judgment and 
beneficial to the people. Socially he holds member- 
ship in Stephenson Post,No.;30, G.A.R., Springfield, 
111., of which he is Past Commander. In polities 
he is a Republican of the strongest type, who is 
fully persuaded of the justice of the principles he 
supports and labors to promulgate. The entii'e 
family belongs to the Christian Church and Mr. 
Breckenridge has lield various official positions 
therein, among them the offices of Deacon and 
Elder. An hour cannot be spent in his compan}' 
without instruction and pleasure being derived from 
his conversation, and his genial manners — those of 
the best type of the Southern gentleman — win the 
favor of strangers as well as of more intimate asso- 
ciates. 



■■ ^=^^ 



:^ 



YLVANUS DAKE is conducting an ex- 
tensive lumber trade at Illiopolis and is 
one of the leading business men of this 
part of the county. He is a native of Cat- 
taraugus County, N.y., where he was born February 




26. 1834. His parents, Erastus and Abigal (Tay- 
lor) Dake, were life-long residents of that State, 
where the father carried on farming. He died in 
1886 and the mother of our subject died whenSyl- 
vanus was an infant. His father was remarried and 
had three children. 

Our subject was reared to the life of a farmer 
and had the usu.al educational advantages offered 
in the public schools. He remained at home until 
he was seventeen years old and then was em- 
ployed by the New York and Erie Railroad Com- 
pany, continuing with that until the great strike of 
1856, when he came west to Cliicago. He soon 
after came to Springfield and entered the employ 
of the Toledo, Wabash & "Western Railroad, first 
as a fireman then as an engineer. While serving 
in the latter capacity Abraham Lincoln and Stephen 
A. Douglas rode on his train from Decatur to Dan- 
ville during the campaign when they had their 
great debates. To show to his illustrious passen- 
gers the quality of his favorite engine, Mr. Dake 
sped away at fifty miles an hour. Douglas became 
alarmed, but Lincoln, with cooler nerve, enjoyed 
the swift movement and urged a still faster speed. 

In 1859 our subject abandoned his position as 
engineer to take charge of the station at Illiopolis 
and was Agent there until 1864. In that year he 
began the lumber business on a small scale, which 
bj' judicious man.agement and by honest dealings 
he h.as increased to its present handsome propor- 
tions. An estimate of one hundred million feet of 
lumber has passed through his hands and the most 
of it has been used in this vicinity. He carries a 
stock of -^10,000 or $12,000 worth of lumber and 
is doing a fine business. Mr. Dake is prominent in 
social and religious circles, is a charter member 
of the Illiopolis Masonic Lodge, and is one of the 
foremost members of the Christian Church, with 
which he has been connected for many years. He 
has been a life-long Republican and was one of the 
earlj' Postmasters, having been commissioned bj' 
Abraham Lincoln. A man of sterling mental and 
mor.al calibre, he is an influence for much good in 
this community where he enjoys the entire confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Dake and Miss Sarah Hunter were married 
in Ainil, 1861. Mrs. Dake was a native of Illi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



453 



opolis Township and her marriage with our suhject 
was blessed to them by the birth of three children, 
of whom Julia died in infancy; Cornelia Frank and 
Oscar Harley are at home with their father. The 
daughter is striving to fill the place in the house- 
hold vacated by the lieloved mother, and the son 
is a reliable and estimable young man who is as- 
sisting his father in his business. Mrs. Dakt's 
death, Januar}' 22, 1889 w.as a sad blow to her 
family and to her many friends outside of the home 
circle. She was a woman of lovely character and 
rare merits wiio was universally beloved for her 
unvarying kindness, especially to the sick and those 
in trouble who always found her a true friend. 
Born and reared in this township, she joined the 
Christian Church in her girlhood and was a devout, 
earnest and active Christian throughout her life, 
and an influence for limitless good in the com- 
munity. 



^^IDEON K. LEEDS. A reputable standing 
[l| ^-— , among the agriculturists of lUioiwlis Town- 
\^J^ ship is held by Gideon R. Leeds, who has 
shown the qualities of worthy manhood in the pro- 
secution of his business affairs and in his associa- 
tion with those about him. He is one of those 
whom our State delights to honor as an old soldier, 
several of the best years of his life having been 
spent in the service of his country. His home is 
one of the fine tracts so common in this county and 
has been brought to a state of cultivation unexcelled 
in all the Mississippi Valley. It is devoted to the 
purposes of general farming, which Mr. Leeds car- 
ries on according to the most approved methods, 
thereby winning a due reward for his toil and fore- 
thought. 

Mr. Leeds was born February 21, 1838, in Scott 
('ounty, to which his parents had come a fevv years 
before. Absalom and Maria (Blake) Leeds were 
liorn in New .lerse}' and were members of the farm- 
ing community. Mrs. Leeds died in 1851, but the 
father of our subject is still living and is now four- 
score j'ears old. When our subject was quite 
young his father removed to Morgan County, near 



Bethel. There the lad grew to manhood, attending 
the public schools during his boyhood and youth, 
and beginning business for himself when eighteen 
years old. 

Young Morgan was employed on a farm until he 
was twenty-three years old, when, the Civil War 
breaking out, he abandoned his peaceful occupation 
for life on the tented field. His name was attached to 
the muster roll of Company A, Fourteenth Illinois 
Infantry, his Captain being named Thompson, and 
his Colonel, John M. Palmer. During the ensuing 
four years Mr. Leeds bore the part of a gallant, 
patriotic man in various battles, skirmishes, hard 
marches and the trying duties of camp life. After 
becoming a veteran he was assigned to duty in the 
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Battalions. Among the 
noted points at which he fought were Shiloh, Cor- 
inth and Vicksbnrg. He formed one of the sixty 
thousand men who, under the leadership of Gen. 
Sherman, made the famous march to the sea. He 
took part in the Grand Review at Washington, 
and was then sent to Leavenworth. Kan., where he 
received his discharge in September, 1865. At 
that time he held the rank of Corporal. 

When his army life was over Mr. Leeds returned 
to his native State, and in 1866 purchased eighty 
acres of almost raw prairie in this county, paying 
for it the sum of $1,500. He continued to cultivate 
it until 1869, when he purchased forty acres at $17 
per acre. In 1873 he added eighty acres at $50 
per acre, and still further increased his estate in 
1881 by the purchase of another eighty-acre tract 
at the same price. He now owns two hundred and 
eighty acres, which under his careful man.agement 
has been brought to a fine state of cultivation and 
is worth an average price of $60 per acre. This 
fine property has been acquired by the energy and 
prudence of Mr. Leeds, who when he entered the 
United States service had but $18. Unlike many 
soldiers, he was careful in expenditure while in the 
army, and was thus able to make a profitable in- 
vestment when he returned to the North. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Cordelia 
Shrewsbury was celebrated January 25, 1866. 
Mrs. Leeds was born in Morgan Count}-. She is 
an intelligent woman, possessed of much house- 
wifely skill and imbued with the spirit of neigh- 



454 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



borly kiiulness. The otherwise happy union has 
been childless. Both Mr. and Mrs. Leeds belong 
to the United Brctlircn Church, and are numbered 
among tlie tlioroughly reliable and trustworthy 
members of the community. Mr. Leed's affairs are 
upon a soliil financial basis, and in business circles 
his reputation is of the best. He belongs to Mor- 
gan Post, G. A. R., and in the companionship of 
his comrades lives over .again the exciting scenes 
and trying experiences of war times. Mr. Leeds is 
a member of the Republican party, and has voted 
the ticket ever since becoming a voter. 






=^^i- 



OSEPII WALLACE is eminent among the 
citizens of Springfield, not only as one of 
its most learned lawyers but is distinguished 
for the literary work that he has performed 
in connection with his profession and in other di- 
rections. He was born September 30, 1834, in 
Hunter's Bottom on the Ohio River, in what is 
now Carroll County, Ky. His parents, James and 
Mary Morris Wallace were likewise Kentuckians by 
birth, coming of the early ijioneer families of the 
State, their parents being natives of Virginia. The 
Wallace's trace their origin to Scotland, and the 
first of the family' to come to this country settled in 
Pennsylvania in the early part of the last century. 
The Morris's were early settlers of Virginia, and 
John Morris, the maternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject was born in James City County, Va. James 
Wallace was a farmer by occupation, as was his 
father before him who was also engaged in the pro- 
fession of the Baptist ministry. 

When Joseph was two years of age his parents 
removed from his Kentucky birthplace to Jefferson 
Count}', Ind., of which thev were pioneer settlers. 
There as soon as old enough he attended school in 
his boyhood days, and in 1852-53 he was a student 
at Franklin College. He afterward attended the 
college at South Hanover that has produced many 
men of eminence. Wishing to devote himself to 
the legal profession he read law in Madison with 
Judge Charles E. Walker. In September 1857 he 
came to Springfield, 111., and entered the law office 



of Messrs. Stuart & Edwards as a student. In the 
spring of 1858 he was admitted to the bar and has 
practiced in Springfield continuously since th.at 
time for a period of over thirty years. 

Our subject made his home with William P. 
(irimsley deceased, an uncle b}' marriage, until he 
established a home of his own. On January 14, 
1864, he was married to Mary E. Iloagland, a na- 
tive also of Hunter's Bottom, Ky. The Iloagland 
family were originally from Kew Jersey. Mrs. 
Wallace possesses a fine mind and is a woman of 
more than ordinary culture. She was carefully edu- 
cated at Science Hill Female Academy at Shelby- 
ville, Ky., from which she was graduated with 
honors under the instruction of Mrs. Tevis, who 
had a high reputation as a teacher throughout Ken- 
tucky and the South. 

Mr. Wallace, though devoted to his professional 
and literar}- work has served the public with credit 
in various important official capacities. In 1866 
he was elected Police Magistrate, was re-elected to 
that responsible position in 1870, and held it for 
eight 3'ears, making one of the best oflicials who 
had ever presided over the deliberations of the 
Police Court. In 1879 he was elected a member of 
the City Council for tlie Third Ward, and served 
three years. During that time he acted as Chair- 
man of the Committee on Ordinances. Such was 
his high reputation for legal learning that in July, 
1882, he was appointed in connection with Hon. 
James W. Patton to prepare and submit to the Cily 
Council for its adoption or rejection an ordinance 
in the revision of the ordinances of the citj- of 
Springfield. The work performed by our subject 
and his colleague is highly creditable to the pains- 
taking care and competency of its compilers. It 
was published in 1884 and is recognized as being a 
model of its kind. Robert I. Cummin in an ad- 
dress delivered on municipal government at Day- 
ton, Ohio, at a meeting called by the Board of 
Trade, had this to sa}' in reference to it: 

'•One city code deserves more than passing notice. 
After examining many statistics, State and muui- 
cipal laws, city codes and charter governments of 
great and proud cities, I think it significant that in 
the small city of Springfield, 111., where the Nation 
once found that embodiment of honesty and com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



45o 



raon sense, Abraham Lincoln, we should finiJ to- 
rta^', as if the very ashes of the great Commoner 
had impMrted wisdom to tlie people, a city code 
that will go far to solve the problem of municipal 
government." 

Mr. Wallace has by no means confined himself to 
legal literature, but has written much else that will 
be of an enduring value. His writings are pol- 
ished and elegant, his st^'le is pleasing and he is 
noted for his accuracy. In 1870 he wrote and pub- 
lished a small biographical work, entitled "Sketch 
of tiie Life and Public Services of Col. Edward 
D. Baker," which is finely gotten up and is a pleas- 
ing memorial of that gentleman : he also wrote 
and comi)iled a work entitled, "Memorials of 
Stephen T. Logan," which was published in 
1884, for private circulation. In the year 1885 our 
subject [Hiblished a series of sketches of the United 
States Senators of Illinois. These sketches were 
well written and were printed in the Illinois Stale 
liegister and attracted much notice at the time. He 
has much in manuscript in preparation for publica- 
tion including a learned and accurate history of 
the French discovery and occupation of Illinois 
and Louisiana. In his political views Mr. AVallace 
is a decided Democrat. Religiously he is a Baptist, 
and whether in public, professional or ))rivate life 
his acts are always guided by lofty principles. 






WLEAVERTON, who is the subject of our 
present sketch, is a prosperous farmer and 
stock-) aiser, and makes his home near the 
village of Chatham, in Chatham Township on sec- 
tion 1, where he owns one thousand acres of valu- 
able land on sections 1 and 2. His farm is 
handsomely improved and each of his buildings are 
modeled after the most approved patterns. He is 
the son of Noah and Nancy (Bunton) Leaverton, 
his birth occurring in Indianapolis, Ind., March 16, 
1820. 

Our subject's father was born in Highland 
County, Ohio, and married there. He removed to 
Indiana in 1820, settling in Indianapolis which was 



at that date a wilderness, and there built the old 
Browning House the present site occupied by the 
Bates House. He was engaged in contracting 
and building and was one of the contractors in 
building the first State House in that city. In 1837 
he removed to Bond County, 111., where he pur- 
chased about thirteen hundred acres of land, and 
still continued to work as contractor, though 
engaged in farming and stock raising at the same 
time. It was at this place that our subject learned 
the stock business in all its details, and while a 
mere boy was sent frequently to St. Louis with 
cattle and hogs. His education was almost entirely 
practical since schools in those days were very poor 
indeed, but at an early age he gave evidence of a 
great deal of natural ability and tact and even 
when a boy was recognized as an excellent judge of 
horses, and at this writing is the peer of any man 
in Sangamon County on this subject. 

.Seven children were born to our subject's parents, 
but of this number he is the only one living at this 
time. His mother died in 1838 and his father was 
married in 1840 to Miss Farrar, and to this union 
were born several children. His father moved to 
Leavenworth and was one of the incorporators of 
that city, and his residence was frequently the ren- 
dezvous of such men as Jim Lane and .John Brown. 
He afterward moved to Oskaloosa, Kan. 

The subject of our sketch made a trip to Cali- 
fornia being attracted b}' the accounts of the gold 
mines there, and he endured many hardships in 
accomplishing the journey. After reaching that 
State he engaged first in freighting to the mines, 
and later dealt in horses. In the spring of 1851 he 
returned to Illinois after having made a great deal 
of money. August 28, 1851, our subject was 
married to Miss Jeannette Johnson, daughter of 
Benjamin Johnson. In 1864 our subject enlisted in 
Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regi- 
ment under Col. Wolf and served about six months. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Leaveston have been born seven 
children, four of whom are living, viz.: Sarah L., 
who married Robert McGuire and resides in 
Springfield; Mary C, who married Benjamin C. 
Richie, and lives at Springfield; Richard L. and 
Samuel J. After his marriage our subject settled 
in Bond Count}' where he engaged in farming and 



456 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



stock-raising until 1871, at which time he purchased 
the large farm upon wliich he now resides. This 
is one of tlie most bcauiiful country homes in the 
whole State of Illinois, and is graced by the 
presence of his attractive wife, who adds to the 
comfort and liappiness of her husband's days. Mr. 
Leavcrton has acquired his fortune by means of his 
own industy and is justly proud of his stock and 
also of his farm. His family are prominent mem- 
bers of the Metliodist Episcopal Church, and in 
politics our su))jcct is a member of the Republican 
party. It is a great pleasure to represent such 
gentlemen in our Aliui.m, since tlieir lives are of 
much interest. 



OSSWELL T. SPENCER is one of the most 
enterprising and successful journalists of 
tii \V this county, and is publisher and proin-ietor 
of the following papers: the Williamsville 
Gazette, Slate Center, and the Mechanicsburg Times, 
which are ably edited anri are devoted to the inter- 
ests of the people among whom tiiej- circulate. 

Mr. Spencer is a native of this State, born in 
Bluffdale, August 7, 1850. His parents, Marshall 
S. and Saraii A. (Simmons) Spencer, were natives 
respective!}' of Vermont and Ohio. They came to 
Illinois in 1818, and were among the earliest set- 
tlers of Greene Count}'. There Mr. Spencer was 
engaged in farming many years, and bore an hon- 
orable part in the develo|jment of that portion of 
the State, and at his death in 1883, one of its most 
respected pioneers passed away. The mother of 
our subject is still living at a venerable age, and 
makes her home at Ann Arbor, Mich. 

He of whom we wiite is the eldest of ten chil- 
dren. The first twetit}' years of his life were passed 
in the home of his nativity, and most of the time 
was spent in obtaining an education. He attended 
the public schools, and was a student at the Tam- 
aroa High School where he pursued a fine course of 
study. He engaged for a time in the drug busi- 
ness at McLean, and in 1875 began his career as a 
teaclier. He taught some five 3ears in his native 
State, and then enteiud upon a broader field in 



which he has still continued to be an educator in a 
certain sense, as he then became an editor. He first 
establislied the Kenney Gazette at Kenney, DeWitt 
County, and in connection with that founded tiie 
Waynesville Record, which he published for two 
years, and they are still in existence as prosperous 
journals. 

In 1884 our subject began the publication of the 
Williamsville Gazette in this countj', and is still 
editing it. In 1885 he purchased the State Center 
at Illiopolis, and in 1886 established the Mechan- 
icsburg Times, and is still pulilishing the three pa- 
pers. They are neat and attractive journals giving 
the nevvsof the day in a concise and readable form, 
and are thoroughly independent. They have a 
wide circulation among the best class of people and 
are considered model family newspapers. 

The marriage of JMr. Spencer with Miss Anna E. 
Wells, a native of Ohio, was solemnized in 1869. 
They have established here a charming home and 
all who cross its threshold are sure of a warm wel- 
come. Of the six children born of this union, two 
are living: May L., wife of James A. (iassaway, 
and Carl E., a lad of six 3'ears. 

Mr. Spencer is a man of much popularity and of 
social prominence in ids community. He is a mem- 
ber of Illiopolis Masonic Lodge, No. 521, and also 
belongs to the Illiopolis Camp of Modern AVood- 
nun. He is an adherent of the Republican party. 
He is a valued member of the Illinois Press Asso- 
ciation, in which he is deeplj' interested. 



WILLIAM HENRY FAIT, is a man of 
financial standing in this county ai 
^ ^ conducting a profitable general grc 



ILLIAM HENRY FAIT, is a man of good 

and is 
ocery 

business in Illiopolis. " He is a native of Albany, 
N. Y., where his birth took place in 1847, and he is 
a son of George and Frances (Clark) Fait, natives 
of New York. The father of our subject was a 
farmer and William remained an inmate of the pa- 
rental home and helped his father in the labor of 
carrying on his farm until he was fifteen years old. 
At that age the manly self-reliant lad boldlj' set 
forth to tr}' life for himself in the great Prairie 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



,45? 



Stale. He macle his way tbither alone, and soon 
obtainefl employment on a farm. As he had had 
to begin to work so early in life he felt that his edu- 
cation was deficient and he had studied hard to 
supplement the learning gained in a common school 
and after coming here and engaging as a farm 
laborer for awhile as before stated, he became 
a teacher. He taught in both .Sangamon and Macon 
Counties for some years and won a good reputation 
as an intelligent educator. 

Mr. Fait finally' gave u|) teaching and resumed 
farming and afterwards abandoned that calling to 
engage in business in lUiopolis. He established 
a general grocery store in this village, has it well 
fitted up and carries a complete line of stock. He 
has a steady trade and is making money, he being 
one of the well-to-do men of the town. He is 
straightforward and just iu business matters and 
conducts his trade systematically. He is a thought- 
ful man who is well informed and is pleasant and 
affable in his intercourse with others. He is highly 
regarded by the entire community where he is 
well known and is classed among the citizens who 
have a good influence on the welfare of the town, 
has been a member of the School Board and is 
active in all that pertains to education. lie has al- 
ways been a stanch Republican. Mr. Fait and Miss 
Mary Leonard were married in 1872. Mrs. Fait 
is a native of this county and a daughter of one of 
its successful farmers. She makes home pleasant 
for her husband and for their children, of whom 
they have four — John Calvin, Charles Edward, 
Maud and Frances, all of whom are still members 
of the family circle. 




lEORGE WITHEY. The firm of Withey 
Bros, is one well-known in and around 
Springfield as manufacturers of carriages 
and wagons. They occupy a commodious estab- 
lishment and are doing a fine business in spite 
of several serious reverses which they have met 
and overcome. Their manufactory is 80x100 
feet, the latter being the frontage on Washing- 
ton Street and the former being bounded by 



Eighth Street. The building is two stories high 
furnished with ail necessary machinery and every 
implement needed by the twenty-five hands that 
are constantly employed and the still greater force 
that is sometimes found necessary. The ground 
upon which the manufactory stands was bought 
of Washington Irving, the famous writer of his- 
tory and sketches, and his deed is carefully pre- 
served in the safe of Withey Bros. 

The Witheys are an old English family, originally 
of Prussian origin, and skilled in mechanics gener- 
ation after generation. Over two hundred years 
ago during tlie migration of hand weavers, the pro- 
genitors of our subject established themselves in 
England. From that country James and Jane 
(Stich) Withey emigrated to America in 1842, lo- 
cating iu Springfield in June. Mr. Withey opened 
a wagon shop wliich he operated as long as he was 
engaged in active pursuits. He died in 1878, some 
five years after his wife had been borne to the 
tomb. To this couple eleven children were born, 
five of whom are now living and all residents of 
Springfield. The sons are William, George and 
James, all of whom took kindly to their sire's call- 
ing and learned his trade. The daughters are Car- 
oline, widow of James King, and Jane, wife of F. 
McCarty. 

The sul)ject of this biograi)hical notice was born 
in Somersetshire, England, March 31, 1827. He 
was fifteen years old when he crossed the Atlantic 
with his parents. He learned carriage-making with 
Lewis & Vanhoff with whom he worked twelve 
years, during nine years of which he had charge of 
the blacksmithing department of their establish- 
ment. In 1854 in company with his brothers, he 
opened business under the name of Withey Bros,, 
and since that time they have turned out a suflficient 
number of vehicles to reach from St. Louis to Chi- 
cago in a line. They have taken many premiums 
at county and State fairs, where they have com- 
peted with other manufacLurers of established repu- 
tation. 

In 1850 Mr. Withey led to the hymeneal altar 
Miss Martha Kimes, a native of Tennessee, who 
shared his joj'S and sorrows until August 14, 1876, 
when she was removed by death. Her memory is 
cherished as only that of a true and noble woman 



468 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



can be and her children strive to perpetuate her 
teachiiio in their own lives. Four daughters were 
born to hor: Jeanetta is nowthewife of George W". 
Buck; Georgia married Dr. J. J. Wood of Bloom- 
ington; Anna, deceased, was formerly the wife of 
C. V. Johnson; and Minnie m the wife of Herbert 
Ragiin. 

Tlie gentleman who is the subject of these brief 
paragraphs held the position of Treasurer of the 
Water Works nine >'ears. He is interested, as all 
good citizens are, in whatever will promote the 
welfare of the community and in his own quiet way 
assists in all worthy enterprises. The three mem- 
bers of the firm were originally Whigs but since 
the organization of the Kepublican party have 
been ardent and steadfast members of it. All be- 
loniT to the Carriasre Builders Xational Association. 



'->'^^:i^^^t>^ 



-«^r<»- 



KTSEY ANN DUNLAP, widow of George 
W. Dunlap, resides on section 1, Island 
f?®)j| Grove Township, where she and her son 

~ Irvin are successfully managing the large 
and valuable estate left by her husband. Mrs. Dun- 
lap is a native of Kentuck}' and a daughter of 
.Tosiah and Anna (Brown) Hedges. She was care- 
fully trained in her girlhood in all that makes a 
good housewife, and was well prepared to preside 
over a home of her own when she gave her hand in 
marriage to Mr. Dunlap. She is a woman of super- 
ior judgment and capability, possessing a large share 
of common sense and thrift, and is a very able man- 
ager. She and her sons have under their care four 
hundred acres of valuable land in Island Grove 
Township, vvhose broad well-tilled fields yield large 
hai'vests, and here the3' are very extensively engaged 
in raising horses, cattle and hogs, making a 
f |)ecialty of that branch of agriculture and shi|)ping a 
large number each year, their sleek well-kept cattle 
and fat hogs commanding good prices in the 
markets. 

The marriage of our subject with George W. 
Dunlap was solemnized March 4, 1863, and proved 
to be a union that was mutually beneficial. To them 
were born five children, of whom the following four 
are now living: Irvin T., Sarah Ann, William H. 



and George A., all of whom have been well educa- 
ted in the public scliools of the county and are 
now of age. 

Mr. Dunlap came to this county from his native 
Kentuck}- in 1849, and cast in his lot with its pio- 
neers. For eight years he worked by the month and 
accumulated in that time a snug sum of money 
which gave him a good start on the road to inde- 
pendi'nce. He was a man of industrious habits, 
was sagacious and shrewd in regard to business 
matters and was wisel}' economical, knowing when to 
spend as well as when to save, and thus in the course 
of years he accumulated a valuable property and 
was numbered among the rich farmers of Island 
Grove Township. His death occurring November 
12. 1889, removed from the community a citizen 
who had contributed his quota to the development 
of this section of the country and had been useful 
in many waj's. He was thoroughly trustworthy 
and carried his religion into his everyday life, and 
was known to all men as a straightforward, honor- 
able man. The people among whom he lived 
recognized his solid virtues, and accorded him that 
genuine respect only given to a good citizen. 

In his lifetime he was a stanch upholder of the 
ReiHiblican policy and his son Irvin follows in his 
footsteps in that respect and also gives his support 
to that party. Mrs. Dunlap is a faithful Christian 
and for many years has attended the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Island Grove. 



i^^ 




JOHN F. MOHR, a fine representative 
of the Catholic clerg}', is pastor of St. 
\\\ Mary's Church, New Berlin. He was born 
in Auglaize County, Ohio, Febrnar\' 2, 
1839, and is a son of John and Mary A. Mohr, na- 
tives of Bavaria, Germany. His father came to this 
country in 1830 and his mother in 1833. They 
were married in Munster, Ohio, and reared a family 
of four children, two sons and two daughters, all 
of whom have passed away except the subject of 
this biographical review. The father died in 1847 
while yet in life's prime, and the mother's death 
occurred in 1864 at a ripe age. 

Father Mohr is finely educated, having obtained 



^ 






^ 



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^^^^^A 






^V- J^ 



-t 




yi-JJn 



tr^tJ^sZ) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



461 



his learning in some of tlie best schools in the land. 
lie was .at one time a student at St. Mary's Semi- 
nary .at the Barons, Mo lie suhse(iueiitly entered 
St. Thomas' Seminary, Nelson County, Ky., and 
afterwards pursued iiis studies near Milwaukee, Wis. 
in St. Francis Seminary, one of the best Catholic 
institutions in the country. He was thus well 
trained for the work before him, as he had early 
determined to enter tlie priesthood, and was ordained 
at Alton. 111., November 24, 18G1. by Bishop H.J. 
.lunker. He has been stationed at various times at 
the following places: Prairie du Long, Red Bud, 
and at Alton where he had charge of St. Peter and 
St. Paul's Cathedral. He remained there three years 
and was instrumental in building up the church. He 
then came to New Berlin, wjiere he has since pur- 
sued his labors with marked success. His heart and 
soul are in his work and he has infused new life 
into the church over which he presides, and under 
his fostering care it is in a flourishing condition, 
and its membership is steadily increasing. He is a 
man of an earnest, practical nature, of much cul- 
ture, and is very popular with his people and 
is greatly beloved by them. He is of a large- 
hearted and kindly nature. During the late Civil 
AVar he was assistant of the Rev. jNIr. I^llshoff, to 
wliieh position he was appointed in 1862. in Anna, 
III. Undoubtedly his constant and unremitting 
attention to sick and wounded soldiers who were 
sent back from the South for treatment, gained him 
many friendships among the men who were helped 
by his kind and cheerful treatment.and he wmH long 
be gratefull}- remembered by many a poor soldier 
whom he relieved. January 27, 1889, Father Mohr 
was made Dean by Bishop Ryan of Alton, of the 
counties comprising the District of Springfield. 



11^^. ^ i ^ l^^l 

^f LEXANDER J. JONES. The lithographic 
portrait on the opposite p.ige represents a 
prominent citizen of Sangamon County. 
(§/' who has had marked influence in develop- 

ing its agriculture and in forwarding its material 
prosperity. He is one of the largest landowners 
and most extensive farmers in this section of the 




State, and is numbered among the most popular and 
wealth}' citizens of Ball Township. 

Our subject is a son of one of the best pioneer 
families of the State. His father, Robert Jones, 
w.as born in North Carolina and was an early settler 
of Tennessee. While there he took part in the 
War of 1812 and then removed to Hart County, 
Ky., where he married Tabitha Lard, a native of 
North Carolina. He was eng.aged in farming there 
on a small scale, but decided that he could better 
his condition b}' obtaining land in Illinois where 
the soil was much richer and mure productive. 
Accordingly, in 1820, he came to this State and lo- 
cated in Wayne Count}-, where he farmed until 
1828. In that year he came with his family to the 
wilds of Sangamon Count)', andsettlcLl on a tract 
of Government land on section 9. He was reason- 
ably successful in his farm work, and later located 
on section 1 2, where he bought land and farmed 
until his wife died in 18G1. After that sad loss, 
he m.ade his home with his son Drury, until he 
closed his eyes in death in 1874. He was a stanch 
Democrat in politics, and in every way a man 
worthy of respect and consideration, and his mem- 
ory is cherished as that of one of the early pio- 
neers of this county. 

The following is the record of the eight children 
born to the parents of our subject: Mahala died in 
1838 when twenty years old ; Alexander J. is the 
subject of this biograplij-; Joab died in 1844; John 
in 1838, and Madison in 1849; Drur)' is a promi- 
nent farmer in Ball Township; Calvin died in 1855, 
and Wiley in 1845. 

He of whom wc write was born Januaiy 9, 1820, 
in the humble i)ioncer home of bis parents near 
Fairfield in Wayne County, this State. He was 
eight j-ears old when his parents brought him from 
the place of his birth to this county in a wagon 
drawn by oxen. The remaining 3'ears of his boy- 
hood and youth were passed here and it was with 
difficulty that he obtained an education, for there 
were then no free schools, the few schools in the 
county being taught on the subscription plan and 
tlie parents having to pay §2.50 a quarter for eaeh 
scholar. In those days money was a rather scarce 
article with the early settlers, who could not there- 
fore give their children good educations. Our sub- 



462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ject remained with his father and assisted him on 
his farm until 1852. In that year they went to 
Brush Creek and bought a farm of two hundred 
and ninety acres on section 12, vvliich they worked 
to<rether until our subject went to Christian County 
in 1871. He there bought one hundred and eighty 
acres of land and this he farmed until 1874 when 
he returned to Sangamon County. After he came 
back here he located on the old homestead and after 
operating it until 1881 rented it and removed to bis 
present place'of residence'. 

Mr. Jones has accumulated a valuable property. 
His homestead comprises two hundred acres of 
choice land on;;sectionL9, township 14. range 5, 
and he owns seven hundred and twenty acres of 
land in Pawnee Township, which is divided into 
three different farms; he has eighty acres of land 
on section 36, Ball Township, two hundred and tifty 
acres on section 12, that township, and in all has 
twelve hundred and fifty acres of land all improved 
and supplied with the best of buildings. Although 
Mr. Jones has never been in very robust health he 
has always attended closely to his business and his 
farms are among the best managed in this part of 
the State. He has accumulated his wealth by tlie 
exercise of exceptional business talents and good 
executive ability, seconded by great tenacity of 
purpose, and indomitable will power. 

Mr. Jones was first married in Christian County, 
in 1871, to Miss Elizabeth C. Hunt. She was a na- 
tive of Williamson County, this State, and a 
daughter of Gishom Hunt, an early settler of Chris- 
tian and Sangamon Counties from Kentuck}'. A 
pleasant wedded life of four years was brought to 
a close by the death of Mrs. Jones in 1875. Of 
that union one child is living, Melissa, who is attend- 
ing the Ursula Academy at Springfield. Our sub- 
ject was married to Mrs. Artelia Bozarth, at Spring- 
field in 1888. Mrs. Jones is a daughter of Jonathan 
Petticord, a native of Kentucky, who came to Illi- 
nois in pioneer times. Mrs. Jones was born in Ohio 
County, Ky., and her first marriage was with Eli L. 
Bozarth, also a native of that county and State, 
and a son of William Bozarth who was an early 
settler of Sangamon County. Mr. Bozarth died in 
1868 leaving his widow two children to care for — 
Viola, who lives with her mother and step-father, 



and Phoebe L. now Mrs. A. V. Jones, of Ball 
Township. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have two sons, 
Robert A. and William C. Their home is one of 
the most attractive of the many pleasant dwellings 
in this township, as Mrs. Jones understands well 
how to manage her household affairs and cordially 
unites with her husband in extending a genial lios- 
pit.ality to their many friends. Mrs. Jones is a 
member of the regular old Ba[)list Churcli and her 
life is in comformity[_with the precepts^of Chris- 
tianity. 

Mr. Jones is a potent factor in the prosperity en- 
joyed liy Sangamon County, and has been of great 
assistance in developing and extending its agricul- 
ture. His is the record. of an upright life and he 
is .-ui influence for good in the community with 
whose highest interests his name is associated. He 
is .a man of wealth and popularity and is generous 
in the disposition of his means;and his public spirit 
is never called in question. Our subject is a stock- 
holder in the Chatham liank and is also interested 
in the Farmers' Bank at Springfield. He is'a sound 
Democrat in politics. 




EMUEL M. BABB is one of the representa- 
tive farmers and stock-raisers of this county 
and is one of its most extensive land- 
holders. He has been a conspicuous figure in the 
development and extension of the great agricultural 
interests of this part of the county and no man 
has done more than he to promote the material 
welfare of Cotton Hil! Township, of which he has 
been a resident for thirty-five 3'ears. He'comes of 
a good old New England famil}' and was himself 
born in that part of the country, his birth-place 
being in Belknap County, N. IL, and the date there- 
of December 3, 1828. 

Solomon Babb, the father of our subject, was 
born in the town of Strafford, in the county of the 
same name, in New Hampshire, but died in Bel- 
knap County when his son Lemuel was sixteen 
years old. He had married in early life Abigail 
Mcader, a native ofjRochester,"N. 11., who survives 
him at the advanced age of ninety-two years. The 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



463 



paternal grandfather of our subject, Moses Babb, 
was a soldier in the Continental Army, and his 
brotlier John served in the British Army under 
Wolfe and was also a soldier in the Continental 
Army during the Revolution. 

Our subject was the eldest of four children and 
he lived in his native State till he was twent3'-sis 
years old. He was bred to the life of a farmer and 
has made that his chief business since. Immediately 
after his marriage he brought his bride to this 
State, arriving here on June 8th, 1855, and they 
began their wedded life on section 33, Cotton Hill 
Township, where they have since built up an ele- 
gant and well-appointed home. Mr. Babb has 
nine hundred and fifty acres of land in Cotton Hill 
and Pawnee Townships, and three hundred and 
fifty acres in Christian Count}'. He has devoted 
himself to the improvement of his estate, and there 
is no better equipped or more desirable farm in 
this section of the country than his. He has 
erected an ample and commodious set of farm 
liuildings on his homestead, and has a large and 
handsome residence, in which he and his family 
live a happ3' life, surrounded by every comfort 
and luxury that heart could wish. Mr. Babb 
rents much of his land and from that source de- 
rives a handsome income. 

Mr. Babb and Miss Helen Boardman were mar- 
ried in Belknap County, N. H., May 26, 1855. 
Mrs. Babb is a daugnter of Alfred and Louisa 
(Aldrich) Boardman. Her father was born in 
Stratham, N. H., and died in Meredith, that St.ste, 
Her mother was born in Franconia, N. H., and died 
in Cotton Hill Township. Mrs. Babb was the eldest 
of seven children — two sons and five daughters — 
and was born in Meredith, N. II., February 19, 1839. 
She was carefully trained in her ear!}' home and 
learned the arts of the housewife v,'hich have contrib- 
uted to make her own home so pleasant. She is a 
woman of fine disposition and character, is a con- 
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and is looked up to by all who know her. Mr. and 
Mrs. Babb are the parents of five children, as fol- 
lows : Abbie L., wife of M. W. Colean ; Albert, who 
married Miss Mary M. Nuckolls; Arabel, who is the 
wife of W. T. Barker; Addie H.and Francena. 

Mr. Babb has done good service for his Town- 



ship as Highway Commissioner and as School Di- 
rector, though the cares of his extensive property 
in have not allowed him much lime to mingle in 
public life. In politics he is a thorough Repub- 
lican. He is a man of soimd nature and of financial 
talents of a high order, and his standing in social 
and monetary circles is among our best men whose 
push and energy have placed this section of the 
country in the front rank as a great agricultural 
center. 



^ 




^RANK W. TRACY, A. B. This gentleman 
is widely known as one of the ablest busi- 
ness men of the Prairie State and one of 
the most highly esteemed citizens of Springfield. 
He is President of the First National Bank — an in- 
stitution with which he has been connected since its 
organization, December 12, 1863. At that time 
Mr. Tracy was Teller of the institution, tlie other 
officers being Col. John Williams, President; Maj. 
Elijah lies, Vice-President; and George N. Black, 
Cashier. Within three years Mr. Tracy had be- 
come Assistant Cashier and within five had been 
advanced to the Cashier's desk — a place which he 
occupied until 1879. He was then elected Presi- 
dent, a fact which in itself indicates the rare com- 
bination of qualities which he possesses. He has 
won tlie implicit confidence of the commercial pub- 
lic and the firm friendship of resident citizens and 
visitors of whose moneyed interests he has been the 
faithful custodian. 

The First National Bank opened its doors with a 
capital stock of $125,000, which in 1870 was in- 
creased to $250,000. It has now a surplus and profits 
of $115,000. Its deposits average over $1,000,000, 
and it carries loans of nearly S800,000. Its ability 
to keep valuables in security has led to the estab- 
lishment of a safe-deposit business, and njany 
articles are guarded and protected in the fine build- 
ing which was erected in 1878 on the corner of 
Sixth and Washington Streets. 

The father of our subject was John P. Tracy, 
who was born in the Old Dominion and there mar- 
ried Miss Mary Webb of the same State. He was 



464 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



for a number of j'ears located in Baltimore, Md., 
as commercial agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Rail 
road, a ))osition for whicli his superior business 
qualifications well fitted him. He removed to this 
section in 1851, taking up a large farm in Mason 
County, which he improved and owned at the time 
of his death, in April, 1890. 

Frank W. Tracy was born in Baltimore, Md., 
July 21, 1834, and enjoyed the most liberal educa- 
tional advantages of tliat city. He was graduated 
from the Baltimore City College in 1851 with the 
degree of Bachelor of Arts, and removing with his 
parents to this State became a clerk in a dry-goods 
store in Beardstown. In 1863 he came to Spring- 
field and with several other gentlemen perfected tiie 
organization of the bank of which he is now Presi- 
dent. Aside from his duties as a banker, Mr. Tracy 
has been active in developing various industries 
and resources of the State, having been Director of 
a number of corporations whicii have proved pub- 
lic benefactions. He helped to organize the Spring- 
field Watch Factory and the Springfield Electric 
Light Company, and has for many years been a 
Director of the Rolling Mill. 

Mr. Tracy is also a Director of the Citizens' 
Street Railway Company which he helped to or- 
ganize, and Treasurer and Director of the Franklin 
Life Association of which he is likewise one of the 
founders. He assisted in founding the Springfield 
Library Association, and as a member of the Board 
of Education for nine years, was the zealous friend 
and advocate of liberal education. For three years 
he was a member of the City Council. He is a Di- 
rector of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad and was 
for many years a member of tlie Executive Com- 
mittee, resigning that position when his duties be- 
came too burdensome. Mr. Tracy has been engaged 
in coal mining and possesses large landed interests 
in this I'ounty, as well as in Minnesota and Kansas. 
Recently Mr. Tracy has given u[) his activity in 
politics, but his son, W. \V. Tracy, is now Presi- 
dent of the Republican State League. He possesses 
strong bodily powers, a clear, forcible intellect, 
great social ciualities and high moral integrity. 
This combination of physical and mental organism 
has given him prominence in both business and 
social circles, and insured tiie success of public and 



private enterprises in which he participated. He is 
a Thirty-second degree Mason and has held all the 
Chairs in the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. 
He and his wife belong to the First Congregational 
Church. 

Jlrs. Tracy is an educated, refined and Christian 
woman whose maiden name was Sarah E. Jones. 
She is the daughter of Luther A. and Drusilla 
(Calef) Jones, was born in Beardstown, and became 
the wife of our subject October 22, 1855. Five 
children have been born to the congeni.al couple, 
but two have been removed by the hand of death. 
The survivors are Frank E., now President of the 
Sangamon Coal Company; William W., Cashier of 
the First National Bank, and Louise, a cultured 
young lady and the wife of the Hon. Andrew J. 
Lester, an ex-member of the State Legislature and 
a member of the Springfield Bar. 



if?_ ENRY CLAY FRY is a skillful practical 
1^ farmer and a prominent stock-raiser in 
Wheatfield Township. He was born in 
)) Shelby County, Ky., October 11. 1844, and 
is a son of A. J. and Emily (Early) Fry, natives of 
Kentucky. His father came to Illinois in 18G0, 
and Ijouglit a farm in Wheatfield Township. He 
was actively engaged in agriculture here until 1875, 
when he removed to Missouri where he still resides. 
Though he is nearly eighty years old he is still hale 
and active. The mother of our subject died in 
1854 when he was a boy of ten years. 

Our subject is one of triplets, the other two being 
Robert I. and Jacob W. He began life on his own 
account in Sangamon County, but subsequently 
went to Nebraska where he remained twenty j'ears. 
At the expiration of that time he returned to the 
old homestead. 

Mr. Fry took unto himself a wife in 1886 in the 
person of Mrs. Janette Fortune, widow of George 
Fortune, and they now make their home on the 
Fortune farm. This is a well-improved place and 
under our subject's management its carefully tilled 
fields yield abund.ant harvests and afford sustenance 
to many cattle and other stock, as he is very pro- 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



465 




fitably engaged in stock-raising. He is a man of 
domestic tastes and is fond of iiis liome, where 
under his wife's notable liouseiieeping be enjojs 
every comfort. He is well tliouglit of in tliiscora- 
munity, and is known as a straightforward, upright 
man who attends quietly to bis own business, and 
is always kindly in bis relations with his neighbors. 
He is sound in politics, and gives his allegiance to 
the Republican party. 

ARVEY J. GULP. The firm of Culp, Trox- 
ell tt Co., in the real-estate and insurance 
business, is one of the most prominent in 
Springfield. In the insurance line lliey do 
the leading business of the cit\- and their success is 
justly merited by the senior member, who possesses 
the genius of hard work and other eminent quali- 
fications for that line of work. Mr. Culp is a 
young man of more than ordinary intelligence, 
with the conversational powers and cordial man- 
ners which secure popularity in society, backed by 
a manl}' and Christian character. 

The birthplace of our subject was near Colum- 
bus, Ohio, and his natal day March 24, 18.57. His 
parents are Levi and Mary (Tomlinson) Culp, the 
father being a farmer. He of whom we write was 
still in his infancy when his parents removed to 
the Hoosier State and grew to his youth on the 
farm there. His studies were pursued in the com- 
mon schools, which, under the educational system 
in vogue in Indiana were most excellent, and the 
lad acquired a lai-ge amount of practical knowledge. 
The first business occupation of Mr. Culp was 
that of clerk in a book and stationery establish- 
ment in Logansport, Ind., and he continued in thft 
same work ten years, changing to the establish- 
ment of \V. C. Patterson (t Co., in Springfield, 111., 
in 1874. He next engaged in the drug business 
with his half-brother, H. H. Glidden, following 
which he was interested in various w.ays for a few 
years, three being spent in tlie Far West. Mr. 
Culp returned to Springfield to assume a position 
in the ofllcc of the Illinois Watch Company, retain- 
ing it until 1884. He then erabarked in the insur- 



ance business, in which his fitness for its routine 
has won its reward. In Januarj', 1888, Mr. Culp 
associated W. S. Troxell with himself, the firm 
name becoming Culp, Troxell & Co. For some- 
what more than a year the firm has also been doing 
a real-estate business. 

The wife of Mr. Culp bore the maiden name of 
Laura Linn Troxell. Their marriage rites were 
celebrated December 22, 1880. and have been blest 
by the birth of two children — Harvev T. and Mary 
Louise. Mrs. Culp is a daughter of the late Will- 
iam Troxell, one of the early settlers in this 
county, \Yas carefully reared by her parents and is 
a well-informed, well-bred lady. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Culp belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
Churcli. Mr. Culp is Chancellor Commander of 
Navarre Lodge. No. 142, K. of P., and is also a 
member of the finest lodge in the city — that of the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. 
Culp is Secretary of the local board of fire under- 
writers, a position which he has held for the past 
three years. He is also Clerk of Court No. 454, 
Camp of Modern Woodmen of America, the largest 
camp in America, which position he has held for 
the past tivo years. 



■^f/ OSEPH W. INSLEE, who is a descendant of 
I one of the early pioneer families of .Sanga- 
mon County, is a native of this part of Illi- 
nois and is now classed among its most 
progressive and enterprising farmers and stock- 
raisers. His farm on section 27, Woodside Town- 
ship, is one of the most valuable in that place, both 
in regard to culliv.ation and to the state of its im- 
provements, which are of a high order. 

Our subject is a son of .Joseph Inslee, who was 
born in Seneca County, N. Y. He came to this 
county in 1819 and was among its earliest settlers^ 
He was here married to .Sarah Q. Wills, a native of 
Kentucky, who also (ame to Sangamon County in 
the early daj's of its settlement. Their entire 
wedded life was passed on the- old homestead in 
Woodside Township, which before it came into 



4G6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



their possession was a wild and uncultivated tract 
of land. The father departed this life in January, 
1868 at a ripe age. The mother survived him un- 
til August, 1885, when she too passed away full of 
years. These worthy people reared a family of 
four children, one son and three daughters. 

Joseph Inslee, to whom these lines especially re- 
fer, was the second child of his parents in order of 
birth. He was born in their pioneer home in "Wood- 
side Township July 4, 1848. Here he grew to 
man's estate and was educated in the common 
schools. lie continued to live on the old home- 
stead until he was twenty-eight years old when he 
removed to Auburn Township, where he resided 
the ensuing three years. Returning to Woodside 
Township he entered upon the development of the 
farm where he now lives. He subsequently aban- 
doned farming for awhile and established himself 
in the implement business at Springfield. Three 
j-ears later he gave up that business and has since 
been actively engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing in Woodside Township. He is the proprietor 
of two hundred and thirty-three acres of as fine 
farming land as can be found in this vicinity. Its 
fertile acres are well tilled and he has erected a 
first-class set of farm buildings which are neat, 
commodious, and conveniently arranged in every 
respect. 

Mr. and Mrs. Inslee have here a home that is 
very attractive and cozy and the hospitality that 
is practiced within its walls is of the most generous 
kind. They entered upon their married life Octo- 
ber 10, 1876, their wedding being solemnized in 
Woodside Township. They have a family of six 
children, namely: Edgar D., Nellie R., Raj-, 
George E., Howard and Leila G. Their one sor- 
row has been in the death of their little son, How- 
ard, at the age of one year. 

Mrs. Inslee was formerly Mary E. McGraw and 
she is a native of Springfield. She is a daughter, 
of A. Dudley and Rebecca H. McGraw, she being 
one of the younger members of their famil}'. Her 
father died in 1876. 

Mr. Inslee is a man of good mental endowments 
and has intelligent opinions of his own upon all 
subjects with which ho is familiar. He is classed 
among our most desirable citizens, and is never 



backward in aiding any cause that will advance 
the growth of Woodside Township. He has done 
good service as Collector and Highway Commis- 
sioner. He is a member of the Prohibition party 
and is active in the cause of temperance. Both he 
and his wife belong to the Christian Church and 
in their daily lives practice its teachings. 



^¥r 



j^^ AMUEL T. JONES, although a young man, 
^^^ is already one of the most prominent 
lv.^13) f'l'iiisrs and stock-growers of Sangamon 
County. He has a large and well-appointed 
farm in Williams Township, where he and his 
brother are extensively engaged in raising fancy 
cattle, for which they have been awarded many 
ribbons, not only at stock exhibitions in this State, 
but in various other Stales. He is a native of this 
county, born March 7, 1860, and a son of John R. 
Jones, of whom a sketch appears on another page 
of this work. 

Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and 
received his preliminary education in the public 
schools of the village of Williarasville. In 1877 
he spent nine months in a normal school at Emporia, 
Kan., where he was looking after his father's exten- 
sive sheep interests. He was ambitious for further 
education, and in 1879 he entered the Bloomington 
Illinois University and pursued a scientific course 
there for four j'ears. Thus finely equipped for the 
work before him, he began his career as a farmer 
and stock-grower. He had already had a large 
experience in handling stock, his father being one 
of the leading stock-men of the State, and he is 
familiar with every detail of that important in- 
dustry, so that he soon became a potent factor in 
advancing it in this county. He has four hundred 
and eight}' acres of choice land, which is under 
admirable cultivation and is well adapted to stock- 
raising purposes. 

The marriage of Mr. Jones with Miss Annie 
Belle Brittin. was solemnized January 22, 1884, 
and in their pleasant home two children have come 
to them, namely: Grace, born May 2, 1885, and 
Mabel, born July 20, 1887. Mrs. Jones is a natire 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



467 



of this county, and a^daughter of Evans E.'and 
Elizabeth (Ridgway) Brittin. Her father was bora 
in this county, November 26, 1829, coming of early 
pioneer parentage. He was .married to Melissa 
Peeler," by whom he had two children, botii oX 
whom are living. His wife died and he contracted 
a second L matrimonial alliance _ with Elizabeth 
Ridgway, by whom he; had five; children, all of 
whom are living. He was one of the leading- 
members of^theChristian Church during his life. 
He was a well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser and by 
his death, September 19, l88G,^the county lost one 
of its best citizens. 

Mr. Jones; is an ambitions young man. of large 
enterprise and great tenacity of purpose, well 
dowered with brain and brawn, and in him the citi- 
zenship of his native county has a fine representa- 
tive. Politically he is a Republican in wliom there 
is no guile. His, public si)irit is shown in his 
endeavors to forward every movement that will 
in any way enhance the prosperity of his township 
and county. 



'|/_^ENRY T. ZEIGLER. Many tine farms 
with well-tilled grain fields, fruitful or- 
chard* and all the modern conveniences in 
the way of farm buildings, will meet the 
eye of a traveler over this count}'. Even a cursory 
glance will afford him an accurate idea of the 
characteristics of the owners and occupants of these 
homes, as prosperity is onlj' acquired by well direc- 
ted efforts and an orderl}- estate affords con- 
clusive evidence of good taste. Among the manj' 
attractive farms in Williams Township, none pre- 
sents a more inviting appearance than that of Henry 
Zeigler, it being in every respect a well-ordered 
place. 

In Franklin County, Pa . March 27, 1835, the 
child was born whose life it is our purpose to out- 
line. He is of German extraction, but his parents, 
Jacob Z. and Susan (Funk) Zeigler, were born in 
America, the one in Maryland and the other in 
Pennsylvania. The mother died in 1857. but the 
father survived until 1871 and reached the age of 




seventy-five years. He" was a horse-dealer and for 
j-ears_bought and sold equines, and his son lias in^- 
herited much of his interest in and appreciation of 
horseflesh. Mr. Zeigler was a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. His family consisted of six sons 
and daughters, three of whom are]now living. 

Our subject received a good common-school 
education and when fifteen years of age] entered 
Wittenberg College;at Springfield, Ohio, where he 
continued his studies two years. On the substantial 
foundation^thus laid in his youth he haSj built a 
structure of extended information in various 
branches ;ot 'general importance, and is always 
found well posted in regard to current events. In 
1855 he came to this county and found employ- 
ment in the general merchandise establishment of 
Judge FisherLiu Williamsville, where he clerked 
seven \ears. In 1864 he imrchased a farm in Will- 
iams Township and taking up his residence there 
has continued to occupy the estate. It consists of 
four hundred and sixty-two acres of the best land 
to be found in the county, and bears all the im- 
provements that the good judgment of the owner 
suggests and his abundant means permit. In 1887 
a palatial residence was erected, which in its design, 
substantial construction, and furnishing will com- 
pare favorably with many even in our large cities. 

Mr. Zeigler is extensively engaged in raising 
stock of various kinds, and in former ^ears dealt in 
horses, buying. and selling large herds. During the 
3'ears 1863-64-65, he furnished Uncle Sam with 
numerous steeds, and after the war he shipped to 
the South, making much money in the enterprise. 
He continued to deal in horses until 1876, but since 
that date has not made a specially of those animals. 
Mr. Zeigler is justly- considered one of the solid 
men of the township and no more reliable business 
man or citizen can be found than he. He has taken 
sufficient interest in politics to inform himself 
thoroughlj' regarding the great issues between the 
parlies and is a Republican of the most steadfast 
sort. He is a member of the Uerman-Baptist Church 
and like oiher memliers of that religious bod^-, is 
quiet and un.assuming, yet earnest in his piet}'. 

In 1858 Mr. Zeigler was married to Miss Mary 
J. Ham, the wedding ceremony being performed at 
the bride's home in this county. She was the 



468 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



(laughter of Hezekiali IIani,one of the very early 
settlers in tbis vicinity. She entered into rest in 
1883 at the early age of forty years, leaving two 
children — Belle and Joseph, who owe much to her 
kindly counsel and devoted care. She was a con- 
sistent member of the C'liristian Church. In 1884 
Mr. Zeigler was again married, his bride being 
Miss Mary McBratney, who was born in Adams 
County, 111., and whose father, Thomas McBratney, 
is a well-to-do farmer there. The present Mrs. 
Zeigler is an intelligent, capable and refined woman 
who thoroughly understands the art of making her 
home cozy and attractive and who draws about her 
a pleasant circle of friends. 




ORACE LAN DON is the proprietor of the 
Blue Grass Hereford Stock Farm and one 
of the largest stock-raisers of the county. 
As he is also one of the representative citi- 
zens he deserves a representation in this volume, 
and it is with pleasure that we record his sketch 
and present a view of his fine homestead on an- 
other page. The famil3' from which he is descended 
was founded in New England at an early day. His 
grandfather, Horace Landon, was a Vermont farmer 
and with his family came to Illinois about 1830, 
making the journey by team. After two months 
of travel he made a location in Greene Count}', 
whence he afterward removed to Jersey County 
and there he improved and operated a farm until 
his death, which occurred at the age of eighty 
years. 

William Landon, the father of our subject, was 
born in Addison County, Vt., and with his parents 
came to the Prairie State, where in the midst of the 
wild scenes of frontier life he was reared to man- 
hood. In Jersey County he married Alvira Cory, 
also a native of Addison County, Vt., where her 
father, Zopher Cory, was also born. He was a cab- 
inet-maker by trade, but after his emigration to 
Illinois in an early day he engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in Greene County until his death. His 
daughter, Alvira, the mother of our subject, was 



twice married, first becoming the wife of William 
Cow.an, of Vermont. 

]\Ir. Landon purchased a farm four miles from 
Jersey ville, and in connection with the cultivation 
of his land engaged in stock-raising, driving his 
stock to St. Louis. He was ver}' successful in his 
business enterprises — a man of great industry, sa- 
gacity and foresight. He owned nine hundred 
acres of choice land, highly improved as the result 
of his own efforts, and left his family in comfort- 
able circumstances. He was popular in the neigh- 
borhood. His genial, kindly manner won him many 
friends, and his upright life secured him the respect 
of all with whom he came in contact. In political 
sentiment he was a Republican. His death occurred 
in February, 1874. Mrs. Landon still survives her 
husband and is living in' Jersey ville. She is seventy- 
six years of age and a member of the Baptist 
Church. 

The children of the Landon family are: Edwin, 
who died in Kansas; Oscar, who died in Jersey 
County, 111.; Austin, twin brother of Oscar, resid- 
ing in Virden, 111. ; Horace, of this sketch; Mrs. 
Alice Workman, of Talkington Township; Mrs. 
Mary Cowan, of Jersey County, III.; Mrs. Emma 
pjverette, also of Jersey County; Truman is de- 
ceased; and Sarah, vvife of Senator Chapman, of 
Jerseyville. 

Horace Landon has the honor of being a native- 
born lUinoisan. His birth occuired on the 16th of 
January, 1842, in Jerse}' County, and upon the 
farm the days of his boyhood and j'outh were 
passed, while in the district schools of the neigh- 
borhood he acquired his education. As his father 
was in limited circumstances during his childhood 
days he was early set to work, and became a prac- 
tical farmer while yet a youth. On reaching his 
majority he rented land of his father, which he 
operated with good success until 18C7, when he 
came to Sangamon Count}'. In 1866 he led to the 
marriage altar Miss Flora, daughter of Ihnah and 
Elmira Converse. Her parents were natives of Ad- 
dison County, Vt., but at an early day made a 
home in Greene County, where the daughter was 
born. Four children grace the union of this worthy 
couple: Filla, their first-born, attended the Wes- 
leyan University of Bloomington, and is now the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



471 



wife of J. R. Pogue, a druggist of Sullivnn, 111.; Eu- 
gene, who is now engaged in teacliing, lias for 
three years attended the Wesleyan University, 
and after a 3"ear's additional study will graduate 
from that institution; Charles, a graduate of the 
Auburn High School is now attending a business 
college in Quiney; Mabel, the ^-oungest of the fam- 
ily, is at home. 

After his marriage, in the spring of 1866, Mr. 
Landon brought his young bride to Sangamon 
County, and purchased one hundred and sixt^' 
acres of his present farm on section 6, Auburn 
Township. The greater part of the land was in its 
primitive condition, but it was soon placed under 
the plow, many improvements were added and only 
a short time had elapsed before he was doing a 
good business in grain and stock raising. His 
landed possessions now aggregate al)out six hun- 
dred acres in Illinois, including three hundred acres 
in Auburn Townshi]), two hundred and forty in 
Talkington Township, anil the balance in Loami 
Township, beside three hundred and twenty .acres 
situated in Sac County, Iowa. Mr. Landon is a 
man of practical and progiessive ideas, as is shown 
by the improvements to be found upon his farm. 
In addition to a commodious and t.asty residence 
there are three large liarns and other buildings, 
together with the latest improved machinery' and 
three windmills. He also shells and grinds the 
corn for his own use, and the farm is conveniently 
divided into forty-a(^re fields, separated by good 
fences. 

Stock-raising is an important branch of the farm 
work, Mr. Landon having been extensively en- 
gaged in that line almost from the first. In 1886 
he began raising Hereford cattle, and now he 
has a herd of seventy head of line bred Herefords 
upon his farm. He is a member of the American 
Hereford Breeders' Association and is the largest 
breeder of that kind of cattle in the southern part 
of the county. He is also raising Percheron horses, 
having thirty liead of fine grade, and owns the 
stallion, Buffon, which was imported by Degan 
Brf s. Mr. Landon may truly be called a self-made 
man and deserves no little credit for the splendid 
success which has attended his efforts. The capital 
which he has acquired he uses for the comfort and 



happiness of his family whom he has provided with 
a beautiful home, situated on a five-acre tract of 
land adjoining the city limits of Auburn. Excel- 
lent educational advantages have also been pro- 
vided his children and they are surrounded with 
all the comforts of life. He has done not a little 
for the advancment of the public interests giving 
his support to all worth}' enterprises, and is now a 
member of the School Board. Socially, he is a 
member of Auburn Lodge, M. W. A., the Aulnirn 
Grange and the (4ood Templars Society. Until 
within late years he supported by his ballot the 
Republican party, but believing the question of the 
manufacture and sale of intoxicants paramount to 
all others he now votes with the Prohibition party. 



'LIOMAS N. PARK. This gentleman is a 
ll[C(^' representative citizen of the county — a man 
who is widely known and highly respected 
and whose life affords an example well worthy 
the emulation of the rising generation. He 
started in life v\^th no capital outside of his physi- 
cal and mental abilities and the good habits which 
he had formed, and is today one of the solid men 
of Loami Township. To such men as he the entire 
community owes a debt of gratitude for the labors 
the}' have performed in promoting the develop- 
ment of the country and for the lives which stand 
out as lights in a dark place. 

In tracing the ancestral history of our subject 
we find that he is a grandson of John Park, who 
was born about 1762 in County Antrim, Ireland. 
That gentleman married Sarah Maben, a lady of 
Irish birih, but who had come to America when 
quite young. Grandfather Park resided in Logan 
County, Ky.. for some years, thence coming to 
this county November 28,1828, and establishing 
his home on Lick Creek. He lived to the vener- 
able age of ninety years, passing away about 1852. 

Among the nine children born to John and Sarah 
Park was a son J.nmes, whose birthplace was South 
Carolina and whose natal day was December 25, 
179'.). He accompanied his parents to Kentucky, 
and thence to this county in 1828. He located on 



472 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Spring Creek, in Curran Township, wliere he 
farmed rented land. He died in 186-t at a goodly 
age, and his wife, who survived him four years, 
was sixty-eight years old when she breathed her 
last. Mr. Park had belonged to the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church for many years and his wife 
to the regular branch. They reared fourteen chil- 
dren, each of whom married and eleven are now 
living. 

One of the members of this large family is the 
subject of this sketch, who was born in tliis county 
February 16, 18iil. His home was in a log cabin 
on the banks of Spring Creek and amid the sur- 
roundings of a partly developed country he grew 
toward manhood. He attended _the subscrip- 
tion school whenever his father washable to pay the 
tuition and in the intervals of study did what he 
could to assist in the work of the home. He re- 
mained under the parent.al roof, assisting more and 
more as his strength increased, until he was_of age, 
when his father gave him a share of 'what he raised 
until he established himself elsewhere. In 1S.")3 he 
began clerking in a store at Loami, but two years 
later turned his attention to farming. He spent a 
year in this county so employed, tlfen in the spring 
of 185G removed to Knoxville, jNIarion County, 
Iowa, where, during the ensuing two years, he led 
the life of a merchant. 

Mr. Park then returned to this county and again 
engaged in farming, the first land which he bought 
being eleven acres on section 8, Loami Township. 
Soon afterward he bought a forty-acre tract and 
has since added from time to time as he was pros- 
pered in his business.' He has sold some of his land 
and has given his son-in-law a farm of one hundred 
and six acres, but still retains four hundred and 
ten acres in his owne state. Mr. Park has always 
dealt in stock, buying calves and selling them when 
they became grown. In 1855 he entered two hun- 
dred and forty acres of land in Union County, 
Iowa, which he has disposed of. His homestead is 
a thoroughly developed piece of property on which 
good buildings have been erected, among them a 
very attractive residence put up in 1889. 

March 17, 1855, Mr. Park was united in mar- 
riage with Mary Fowler,;a native of England, who 
survived until November 20, 1859. She had borne 



two children — James and Alice — botlf.'now de- 
ceased. She was a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Park was again married 
December 26, 1861, his bride on this occasion 
being Sarah E. Hudson, a native of this State, 
whose father, .John Hudson, is numbered among 
the early settlers in this county. This marriage 
resulted in the birth of two children — Mary M. and 
Vena M. The former died .July 18.1867. Mrs. 
Sarah Park entered into rest January 23, 1869, 
strong in tiie faith of the Cumberland Presb3'terian 
Church. A third matrimonial alliance was entered 
into by Mr. Park. October 12. 1871, his^ bride 
being Sarah E. Franklin. This lady was born in 
Christian County, November 4. 1848, and is a 
worthy companion, l)eing intelligent, energetic and 
religious. Two sons have been born of the union 
who bear the names of George AV.'andj Thomas K. 
In his political opinions Mr. Park is a Republi- 
can, steadfast and true. He has. been somewhat 
active in the political arena, but is not a politician 
in the ordinary sense of that word. He w.as Town- 
ship Assessor seven 3'ears, held the office of Justice 
of the Peace seven years'and has_ also. been Super- 
visor. Both he and his wife are Presbyterians and 
he has been a Deacon in the^church for twenty-five 
j'ears. A man of much intelligence, great enter- 
prise and abounding in public spirit, his influence 
is felt by all with whom he comes in contact. 




-^ -^-^ '' — 

OMER D. PARKER, of the firm of H. D. 
Parker & Co., general merchants of Roches- 
ter, was born in Warren, Washington 
County, Vt., May 4, 1853, and is the only 
child of Darius S. and Jane (Stagg) Parker, both 
of whom were also natives of the Green Mountain 
State. When Homer was a babe of two years, they 
emigrated to the West and made a location in 
Sangamon County, Illinois. The father was not 
long permitted to enjoy his new home, for in 1857 
he was called to his final rest. His wife still sur- 
vives him and is residing in Rochester. 

Our subject was but four and one-half j'ears of 
age when his father died, but to his training and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



473 



development his mother gave her earnest care and 
attention. In the public schools of Rochester he 
acquired a good English education which has been 
supplemented by reading, experience and observa- 
tion, till he is now a well-informed man. Never, 
with the exception of five years has he made his 
home elsewhere than in Rochester since coming to 
Illinois. From 1875 until 1880 he resided in Mt. 
Auburn, Christian County, where for four years he 
was engaged in the drug and grocery business. Re- 
turning to this place in September, 1880, he began 
business for himself in the line of general mer- 
chandising, having in the preceding eight months 
purchased the stock of C. Carter &, Co. He admitted 
to partnership J. M. Firey and the connection was 
continued until 1888, since which time the business 
has been carried on under the firm name of II. D. 
Parker & Co. He carries a good stock and does 
an annual business amounting to ui)wards of $30,- 
000. Fair dealing has brought him this liberal 
patronage and he has won the confi<Ience and 
respect of all with whom he has been brougiit in 
contact. 

It was in Mt. Auburn, Christian Count}', that, 
on the 26th of September, 1877, Mr. Parker led to 
the marriage altar Miss Margaret Klizabeth Law- 
rence, who was born September 21, 1853, in 
Catawba, Clark County, Ohio. Unto them have 
been born five children — -Anna.!., Ruth L.; Homer 
IL, who died at the age of eight months; Edith P. 
and Bertha M. This family has many friends in 
in the community and stands high in the social 
world. 

In politics Mr. Parker is a stalwart^Republican 
and h.as held a number of offices of honor and 
trust, the duties of which he has ever discharged 
with promptness and fidelity. While in Mt. Auburn 
he was appointed Postmaster in 1876, and held the 
office until September, 1880. Under Postmaster- 
General James he received the appointment to the 
same position in Rochester, and again under the 
administration of President Harrison he was made 
Postmaster — a fact which shows that the people 
appreciated his former services. He has been Presi- 
dent of the Village Board, is now one of its Trustees, 
has held the office of Collector and in the spring of 
1890 was elected Supervisor of Rochester Town- 



ship. In religious belief both he and. his wife are 
Methodists. Public spirited and progressive, ever 
found in the foremost ranks in support.of worthy 
ent-erprises, he is a valued citizen and a representa- 
tive business man of the community in which he 
makesihis home. 



-l^^> 



UDGE ROBERT L. McGUIRE. This emi- 
nent jurist has been a conspicuous figure in 
the legal circles of Springfield for some 
years past. He is senior member of the 
law firm of McGuire & Salzenstein and has recently 
been api)ointed County Judge to fill a vacancy 
caused by the death of J. H. Matheny. In a city 
which contains many men who are ornaments to 
the legal profession, Mr. McGuire holds a hiirh 
rank among his brethren of the bar and is regarded 
as one of the most erudite and skillful practitioners 
in the city. 

The birth of our subject took place in Missouri, 
September 10, 1832, his parents being Levi and 
Susan (Martinie)jMcGuire. He grev to maturity 
in his native State, receiving his literary educa- 
tion in Missouri University. He adopted the pro- 
fession of teaching as a temporary expedient and 
pursued his avocation in Greenfield and other 
places. He read law with Col. John T. Coffee in 
Greenfield and was admitted to the bar in 1858, 
locating for practice in the city where he had 
studied, as a partner of his former preceptor. In 
1862 he determined to seek a new field of labor 
and chose Springfield, III., as his future home. He 
arrived here November 26 and resumed his former 
occupation —that of a teacher, doing efficient work 
as an educator for five years. 

Mr. Mc(4uire resumed the practice of law Jan- 
uary 1, 1867, as a partner with Judge James H. 
Matheny, the connection continuing until 1872, 
when the partnership was dissolved. Our subject 
afterward practiced alone for five years, but in 
1879 formed a connection with ^the Hon. L. F- 
Hamilton, which continued until 1882. Judo-e 
INIcGuire and Mr. Salzenstein then entered into 
partnership, working in harmony until January 1, 



474 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



1885, when Mr. Salzeiistein was appointed Master 
in Cliancei-y. Tiie place of the retiring member 
of tiie firm was then filled by W. H. Colby and 
this connection was dissolved April 15, 1890. when 
Mr. Colby received the appointment of Master in 
Chancery. Mr. Salzenstein then resnraed his con- 
nection with .Judge McGuire and the firm are zeal- 
ously giving their attention to general practice. 

Jmlge McGuire filled the Mayor's chair during 
one term, having been elected on the Republican 
ticket. He belongs to the various departments of 
Masonry, from the Blue Lodge to the Consistory, 
his membership in the latter being in Chicago. He 
is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benev- 
olent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a mem- 
ber of the Second Presbyterian Church and has an 
irreproachable private character, while his record 
as an ofBcial is without a stain. 

On December 23, 1875, the interesting ceremonj' 
took place which transformed Miss Sadie Leaver- 
ton into Mrs. R. L. McGuire. The bride was a 
daughter of Wilson and Jenette Leaverton, of 
Chatham, this county, is intelligent, cultured and 
refined. Mr. and Mrs. McGuire are the parents of 
one daughter, Nettie. 



^-^^^^^^i^^^^^^T^ 



\I/ rCirS C. FRANCIS is numbered among 
I (?§) the prosperous farmers of Clear Lake Town- 
/IL^^ ship. A comfortable and attractive farm- 
house was built upon his place in 1873, and other 
buildings of a substantial nature are conveniently 
disposed near it. 

The Francis family is of Welsh lineage. The 
grandfather of our subject was Josiah Francis, a 
native of Berkshire County, Mass., anil frequenth- 
entertained Elder John Leeland, who was a famous 
Baptist preacher. Grandfather Francis made his 
home in Pittsfleld, Mass., and was the village car- 
penter. He died about 1854, having lived to the 
venerable age of nearl3' fourscore and ten. The 
next in the direct line of descent was Josiah Francis, 
who was born in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1801, 
and gettled in Palmyra, N. Y., soon after his mar- 



riage in 1826. He was a cabinet-maker and made 
thecliest that contained the Book of Mormon, which 
was given to the world by Joseph Smith. 

Josiah Francis came to this State in the summer 
of 1836, reaching Springfield on the 1st of Jul}'. 
He had traveled via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, 
thence across the lake to Cleveland, and again tak- 
ing passage in a canal boat had crossed the Buckeye 
State to Portsmouth, where he embarkeil on a river 
steamer which conveyed him to St. Louis, Mo. 
Thence on another river boat he continued his 
journey' to Beardstown, this State, completing his 
journey by stage. Simeon Francis and his brothers 
(distant relatives) had preceded him bj' some yeais, 
having founded the Sangamo Journal, now Illinois 
State Journal, in 1831. He went into a shop with 
a brother and worked at his trade until the spring 
of 1852, when he located on German Prairie, where 
he bought a farm. He lived to a ripe old age, 
dying in Jaiuiary 1889. He belonged to the Bap- 
tist Church and was a deacon for many 3-ears. His 
wife, formerly Fidelia Clark, was born in North- 
ampton, JNIass., and belonged to a family noted for 
longevity, her father living to the age of ninety- 
three, her mother to eighty-five; of a family of nine 
children but one died under sixty, and an elder 
iister recently died in her ninety-ninth year. Mrs. 
Francis died in 1875, when seventy-nine years old. 
Her religious belief was that expressed by the Pres- 
byterian creed. 

The family of which our subject makes one con- 
sisted of four children, three of whom are now 
living. He of whom we write was born December 
28, 1828, in Palm3-ra, N. Y., and was the fortunate 
recipient of such educational privileges that he 
became well versed in the common school branches. 
After he became of age he made one of the firm of 
J. Francis cfe Sons, but in 1880 turned his attention 
to farming on his own account and has since been 
pursuing an agricultural career. 

In 1860 Mr. Francis was married to Miss Clarissa 
Pearson, a native of this State, with whom he lived 
happily until 1864, when she was called hence. She 
was a member of tlie Presbyterian Church. The 
union had resulted in the birth of one child, who 
died in infancy. December 23, 1872, Mr. Francis 
was again married, having won for bis companion 






ClA-^i^ 



% 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



4Yf 



Susan Leoniirri, forrnerly Susan Keigwin. This 
lady was born in tlie Prairie State. She and Mr. 
Francis hold membership in the Second Presbyterian 
Church in Springfield. 

Mr. Francis is a believer in and a supporter of 
the principles laid down in the Republican jjlat- 
forni. 



' — • o<.io ' — " 

1 LIHU STOUT. This gentleman occupies 
an excellent station among the farmers of 
Auburn Townsliip, to which he is fairly 
entitled by the success with which he has met in 
the prosecution of his chosen vocation. He has 
always followed farming and at one time owned 
upwards of seven hundred acres of land, a large 
part of which he has disposed of. At present his 
estate consists of one hundred and twenty acres on 
section 24, whereon he has erected a complete line 
of first-class buildings, set out numerous fruit and 
shade trees, and otherwise adapted it for the habita- 
tion of people of intelligence and good taste. 

Philemon Stout, father of our subject, was horn 
in New Jerse}', but in his boyhood became a 
resident of Kentucky. After having grown to 
maturity he married Penelope Anderson, wlio was 
likewise a native of New Jersey and who went to 
Kentucky when but three or four years old. The 
worthy couple were joined in holy wedlock in 
Woodford County and establisiied their iiome in 
Scott County. After several years residence there 
they removed to Fayette County, and tlience, in 
1836, came to the Prairie State. Thej' selected a 
a location in Ball Township, this count}-, whicli is 
now owned and occupied by their son Piiilemon, 
Jr., and here they spent the remnant of their days. 
Their family consists of twelve sons and daughters, 
our subject being the sixth in order of birth. 

The gentleman of whom we write was born in 
Scott County, Ky., January 30, 1816. In 183C lie 
was sent hither by his father to purchase a farm, 
and after making his observations, secured the 
homestead of three hundred and fifty acres to 
which his parents came the following October. Our 
subject continued to live under the parental roof 
until he was married, when he settled in Auburn 



Township, where his marriage had taken place 
August 29, 1839, His] bride was Rebecca Ann 
Patton. a daugliter of the late Col. Patton, who 
was one of tlie very earliest settlers in the town- 
ship. Mrs. Rebecca Stout was born in Kentucky, 
Octobers, 1819, and was quite young when her 
parents came hither. She was well taught in all 
that goes to make a woman useful in home life, 
and developed a Christian character, becoming a 
member of the Baptist Church. She survived until 
October 16, 1854, when she closed her eyes in 
death. She was the mother of three children — 
James M., born June 15, 1840, now a resident of 
Arkansas and a lumber dealer; Philemon, who 
lives in Springfield, 111., was born February 23, 
1843, and is General Agent of the Home Life 
Insurance Company, of New York; William I). 
died in infancy. 

In Tennessee, Maj' 13, 1855, Mr. Stout was 
joined in wedlock to Mrs. Sarah J. Moore, nee 
Williams, widow of Thomas Moore. This lady 
was born in Virginia, was well-bred and a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her 
union with our subject was blest by the birth of 
five children, two of whom are now living. These 
are Elihu T., born October 6, 1857, and now a 
resident of Auburn Township and a druggist by 
occupation; diaries II. was born January 25, 1862, 
and is still with his father, being engaged in farm- 
ing pursuits. The deceased are Andrew J., George 
W., and one who died in infancy. The faithful 
wife and devoted motiier died September 17, 1866. 
The present wife of our subject was born in Vir- 
ginia, September 9, 1822, and bore the maiden 
name of Margaret E. Williams. At the time of 
her marriage to our subject, which was solemnized 
in Auburn Township, June 18, 1867, she was a 
widow, her former husband having been Samuel 
Davis. She is a hospitable, sympathizing woman, 
who understands the art of home-making and is 
an excellent neighbor. 

Mr. Stout lias always acted with the Democratic 
party in political matters. His fellow-citizens have 
made use of his abilities by electing him to offices 
of public responsibility'; he has been Supervisor of 
Auburn Township for two years, was Collector 
one 3ear, and has been Highway Commissioner 



478 



P0RTRAIT AND BTOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 




thirteen years. Since 1843 he has been identified 
with "the Baptist Cliurch and for full}' twenty 
years he has held the office of Deacon. His 
Christian character is undisputed and his example 
is one worthy of emulation by the rising genera- 
tion. Although in his seventy-fifth year, Mr. 
Stout has never been so sick that lie has been 
compelled to spend a single day in bed, and wliile 
not claiming many descendants, is proud of the 
fact that he is a great-grandfather. 

In connection with this sketch a lithographic 
portrait of Mr. Stout is presented to the readers of 
this volume. 

^l^ ENRY FRANKLIN PRIEST, grain buyer 
\] and merchant, is one of the most energetic 
and wide-awake business men of Lpnesville, 
and his name stands high in the financial 
circles of this his native county. He was born in 
Springfield, in May, 1857, and is a son of James Al- 
vin and Mary (Daly) Priest, natives respectively of 
Ohio and Ireland. His father was born May 2, 
1832, and died in Buffalo in 1870. The mother 
was born in 1834, and resides in this village in a 
snug home with our subject. 

The subject of this biographical review received 
a common-school education, which was supple- 
mented by a course in a business college at Spring- 
field. The bright, active youth was early thrown on 
his own resources, and began life as a clerk, which 
employment he followed for different persons until 
1878. In that year he entered the employ of 
Ulrich & Co,, who are among the largest grain 
dealers in the country, and he was given charge of 
their business in Dawson, 111. So aijlvdid he man- 
age their affairs, that he greatly helped them to 
extend their business by opening up new fields for 
grain dealing at Illiopolis and Sidney, and the busi- 
ness inaugurated in those towns has been growing 
ever since. After attending for some time to buy- 
ing grain in the field and thus coming in contact 
witli the farmers, he took charge of the business at 
Lanesville, buying cereals of all kinds, superin- 
tending the elevators, etc. During his long con- 



nection with the firm of Ulrich & Co., he has 
bouglit the enormous aggregate of one and one- 
half million of liushels of grain. His employers 
alwa^'s found him faithful to their interests, zealous 
in promoting them, and never had cause to doubt 
his honor and integrit}', notwithstanding the large 
amount of money that passed through his hands. 

In April, 1889, Mr. Priest entered into business 
in Lanesville under the firm name of H. F. Priest 
& Co., and they are carrying on an extensive trade 
as general grocers and merchants. In this enter- 
prise he has been successful from the verj' first as he 
is so widely and favorably known, and has the full 
confidence of the people who are glad to patronize 
him. He has a neat and well-regulated establish- 
ment, and carries a large and well-selected assort- 
ment of groceries and dry-goods. 

Mr. Priest makes his home with his widowed 
mother, whose stay and comfort he is in her old 
age. He possesses a frank, genial nature, is gen- 
erous and obliging in his relations with others, and 
his reputation is of the highest. He is always in- 
terested in whatever will enhance the prosperity of 
Lanesville, and is a liberal contributor to all schemes • 
devised for that purpose. Politically he is a sound 
Democrat. 




WILLIAM T. TALBOTT. The possessors of 
^11/ this family name have been numbered 
\y'^ among the best and most prominent citi- 
zens of the county during a number of years, and 
have been well known and highly honored. The 
gentleman of whom we write occupies a most at- 
tractive home on section 7, Gardner Township, the 
highl3'-de¥eloped estate consisting of one hundred 
acres. The land is beautified with groves and or- 
chards, and supplied with a complete line of farm 
buildings, together with a good cider mill. Ten 
acres are given up to fruit trees and the remain- 
der of the acreage devoted to genefal farming. The 
land is well-fenced, the buildings are kept in good 
repair and everywhere one sees evidences of good 
judgment, enterprise and progressive ideas. 

Mr. Talbott is of English lineage, being de- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



479 



scended from one of three brothers who came to 
America prior to the 3eyr 1700, making settlements 
in Virginia and Maryland. John Talbott located 
in the latter State, and in Baltimore County ac- 
quired a large estate known as My Lady's Manor. 
His son Edward, who was born April 6, 1764, was 
married in 1793 and died in Kentucky. Among 
the members of the family of this gentleman was a 
son David, who was born in Maryland in 178G and 
was ten years of age when his parents went South. 
He became a farmer in Shelby County, Ky., and 
there reared twelve children. In 18.35;he came to 
this State, bought land of William Davenport in 
Gardner Township and made it his home during 
the remnant of his d.ays. He was Justice of the 
Peace for years. He belonged to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, held the position of Class- 
Leader and during the time of Peter Cartwright 
threw open his house for religious services. 

Following David Talbott in the ancestral line 
was Fletcher, the father of our subject, who was born 
in Shelby County, Ky., in March 1810. He studied 
medicine at Transylvania University in Lexing- 
ton, then practiced in Spencer County for a short 
time. In the fall of 1836 he came to Springfield, 
traveling on horseback, andjopening an office prac- 
ticed here a year. In 1837 he returned toLexing- 
ton, Ky., continued his professional studies and was 
gr.aduated in the spring of 1838. Returning to 
Springfield he resumed his practice there but in the 
fall located in Princeton, Morgan County, which 
was just starting and in which he was the first med- 
ical practitioner. Three years later Dr. Talbott re- 
turned to this county, locating in Curran Town- 
ship on the Jacksonville State road, but three years 
later removed to a point six miles west of Spring- 
field on the Beardstown road. He continued his 
professional labors until 1878 and also superin- 
tended the improvement of land he had purchased. 

At the date last mentioned Dr. Talbott retired, 
bought and improved property on North Fifth 
Street, Springfield, and made his home there until 
called hence May 19, 1890. He had been success- 
ful not only in acquiring an honorable reputation 
as a physician and a citizen, but in accumulating 
property, owning over three hundred acres of land. 
He gave a site for the schoolhouse near his rural 



home and belped to build the structure which 
was named in his honor. He also gave the right of 
way_to the railroad and took an active part in all 
matters which would tend^to l)uild uj) the'country. 
For several years he belonged to the Board of 
County Supervisors and he was active in the work 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,!being Sunday- 
school Superintendent, etc. In politics he was a 
Democrat. 

At the laying of the corner stone of the old Cap- 
itol, Dr. Talbott made the acquaintance of Miss 
Ruth Gatton, whose many fine qualities so won 
upon him that he wooed her for his wife. The 
marriage rites were celebrated at the bride's home 
near Princeton, Morgan County, June 18, 1839. 
Mrs. Talbott was born in Scottville, Allen County, 
Ky.. her father, Thomas Gatton, having been an 
early settler there whither he had removed from 
Maryland. Mr. Gatton followed the business of 
a merchant until 1824, when he located in Morgan 
now Cass County, this State, bought land and com- 
bined farming with mercantile pursuits. The 
mother of our subject attended school in Spring- 
field in 1830-31. She died in that city October 
13, 1886, strong in the faith of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church with which she had been identi- 
fied many years. Dr. Tall)ott and his good wife 
were the parents of seven children, our subject 
being the first-born. The others are David C, a 
practical and extensive farmer living in Woodside, 
this county : James L., a commission merchant who 
died in Chicago; Fletcher H., a farmer near Glen- 
arm, 111.; Mary R., wife of W. I. Evans living in 
Springfield; Edward R., of the Elevator Milling 
Company; and Charles R., with S. E. Prather ife 
Co., the two last named being in Springfield. 

Our subject was born in Princeton, Morgan 
County, July 6, 1841, and accompanying his par- 
ents in their removals, became a resident in Gard- 
ner Township when six years old. The schools 
which he attended were conducted on the subscrip- 
tion plan until he was fifteen ^-ears old, when the 
free school system was instituted. The school- 
house was built of logs and furnished in the primi- 
tive fashion of which we have all heard. He learned 
the details of agricultural life and adopted the vo- 
cation of a farmer, making his home under the par- 



488 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBCM. 



ental roof until he was twenty-two jears old, with 
the exception of llie winter of 1803-04 which he 
sj)ent in KiMitucky. After he l)ecame of age he 
farmed for himself and after his marriage, Novem- 
ber 2, 1864, took a position in the Recorder's office 
in Bloomington under Col. E. R. Roe. In tiie fall 
of 1865 Jlr. Talhott returned to Gardner Town- 
ship and bought an improved farm of one hundred 
and twenty acres, nine miles from Springfield. 
Locating upon it he continued its improvement, 
and superintended the various departments of the 
work carried on, while suffering from dyspepsia 
which for some years incapacitated him for phj'si- 
cal labor. 

Mr. Talbott has an ardent love for books and 
during the years of his enforced idleness as to phy- 
sical labor, he improved his time in reading so 
thoroughly that it is a pleasure to converse with 
iiim, as one can alwa3's learn much from his con- 
versation. He has one of the largest libraries in the 
county outside of the cities and takes great pleas- 
ure in loaning his books to those less fortunate than 
himself. His collection includes the standard 
works of history, science, biography and poetr3', 
and every taste can be supplied therefrom. I\Ir. 
Talbott has also several fine cabinets of curiosities, 
including a collection of fossils, Indian relics, ma- 
rine and mineral specimens. Many of these have 
been obtained during his travels and by the open- 
ing of Indian mounds, and the entire collec- 
tion is made the groundwork for tlie study of 
the various branches which they illustrate. 

Mr. Talbott is a Democrat, believing in the 
principles .advocated by Jackson and Douglas. His 
father was the first Collector of Taxes after the 
organization of the county into townships and 
he himself collected the first taxes thereafter. He 
has also Ijeen Assessor for two years. Ho belongs 
to the Presbyterian Church at Farmingdale, lakes 
part in the Sunday-school work, and manifests a 
deep interest in every worthy enterprise which is 
agitated Viv the peo[)le. Altogether he is following 
in the footsteps of his ancestors and is in nowise de- 
tracting from the lustre of the name. 

The lady who became the wife of our subject in 
1864 was Miss Sarah F. Gardner, who was born in 
St. Louis Count3-, Mo., April 6, 1812. She was 



reared and educated in St. Louis, studying in the 
higher schools and Columbia College and ]Mrs. 
Tevise's at Shelby ville, K}., acquiring a thorough 
education. Her parents, Thomas and Susan (Dun- 
can) Gardner, were natives of Missouri and Ken- 
tucky respectively and resided upon a large farm 
near St. Louis. There her father liied in 1888. 
Her grandfather Gardner was a native of the Blue 
Grass State and a pioneer farmer of St. Louis 
County, Mo., becoming the owner of one thousand 
acres of land near the metropolis. He was killed 
b}' the falling of the wall of a building in the city 
during the '50s. Mrs. Sarah (Gardner) Talbott, 
breathed her last September 27, 1881, leaving seven 
children — Thomas G., John F., Nettie E., Mabel 
C, Charles D.. Leon M. and Lulu F. Thomas and 
and John are engaged in farming and have lionies 
of their own, but the others are still with their 
father. 

In Putnam County, Ind., December 22, 1882, 
Mr. Talbott was married to Miss Melissa Dicks. 
This estimable lad\- was born near Greencastle, 
February 18, 1839, and reared there, having good 
advantages for education and home training. Her 
grandfather, James B. Dicks, was born in Mary- 
land, made an early settlement in Kentucky and 
finally removed to Shell)y Count}', Ind., where he 
continued farming until his demise. Reason Dicks, 
the father of Mrs. Talbott, was born in Mason 
County, Ky., and became a resident in Putnam 
County, Ind., in 1832. His death took i)lace in 
1875. He was an active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He had married Nancy Hulett, 
a native of Mason County, Kj'., whose father, John 
Ilulett, was also born in that -State and was the son 
of a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Dicks breathed 
her last in 1870. She was the mother of nine chil- 
dren. Mrs. Talbott being the fifth. 

The brothers and sisters of the present Mrs. Tal- 
bott are Charles W., a farmer in Putnam Count}-, 
Ind.; William a mechanic in the same count}'; 
Hiram B., who died there: John S., who gave his 
life for his country; Francis M., a miller in Mont- 
gomery County, Ind.; Mathew M., a mechanic in 
Kansas; Bascom, a farmer in Montgomery County, 
Ind.; Stacey R., who died in the Iloosior State. 
.John and Francis enlisted in the same company, the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



483 



former was Mciinded at Uniontown, Ky., nnfl died 
in Evansville, Ind. tliree weeks later. Both had 
been taken prisoners, but Francis made his escape. 
JNIalthcw was also a soldier, Ijelonging to a regi- 
ment of one hundred day men. 



^AMES LESTER. Perhaps no better type 
of tiie best agricultural class can be found 
^^ in this county than the gentleman whose 
(^^// portrait appears on tiie opposite page. He 
is quite an old settler here, having made his en-, 
trance into the county with his brother and mother 
in 1843, and during all the years that have passed 
since that event lias gained the commendation of 
his acquaintances by his uprightness of life, wise 
habits and inlelligence. His home is on section 34, 
Williams Township, and his estate comprises one 
hundred and seventy broad and fertile acres, upon 
which many ini|)rovements have been made, such 
as fit it for the dwelling place of an intelligent and 
refined family. Of his landed possessions one hun- 
dred and sixty acres are pleasantly located on 
section 34, and the remaining ten acres on section 
30, in town 17 north, range 4. 

Tlie paternal grandfather of our subject was 
Levi Lester, a native of New Jersey-, who removed 
to Washington County, Va., about 1780. He lived 
until 1850, reaching the advanced age of ninety 
years. His occupation was that of tilling the soil 
and in the same calling his son William, the father 
of our subject, engaged. The latter was born in 
the Old Dominion and died there in 1833, when 
but forty-six years old. He was on his way to the 
frcmt in the War of 1812 when he learned, of the 
cessation of hostilities, and was sent to his home 
without having taiien any active part in the con- 
flict. His wife, Mary Debusk was, like himself, a 
native of Washington County, Va., but w.as of 
Welsh descent. Her parents were Elijah and 
Elizabeth Debusk, who breathed their last in Vir- 
ginia. Mrs. Mary Lester survived her husband 
several years, d3'ing in 1846, in this county, at the 
age of fifty-four. She belonged to the Baptist 
Ciiurcli, to which the Lesters are attached. 



The gubjoct of this sketch and a sister in Vir- 
ginia are the only survivors in a family of twelve 
children. His natal day was November 5, 1825, 
and his birthplace Washington County, Va. He 
opened his eyes to the light in a log house in the 
valley of the Holston, and attended school in a lf)g 
building, but was not blest with abundant oppor- 
tunities for education. Having been left father- 
less in early boyhood he was obliged to begin the 
labors of life soon after he had entered his teens and 
when but fourteen years old was found operating 
rented land and caring for his mother. Four years 
later they came to this State, he believing that he 
saw an opportunity to better his own condition 
and increase his ability to assist those he loved. 

The country in the midst of which Mr. Lester 
established his home was but sparsely settled and 
its wilds were still overrun by deer and otiier 
animals. We will not enter into the details of his 
experiences, but will only state that he endured the 
hardships to which all pioneer settlers are subject, 
displayed the friendly, generous spirit that charac- 
terized them, and worked with indomitable energy 
in his personal affairs. His early political adher- 
ence was given to the Whig party, his first vote 
being cast for Zachary Taylor. In 1858, after the 
disintegration of the party to which he belonged, 
he joined the Republican ranks, where he is still to 
be found. He enjoyed the personal acquaintance 
of our first martj-red President, '-Honest Old Abe." 
Mr. Lester has held various local offices and in each 
has manifested a zeal for the public welfare and a 
degree of good judgment highly commendable. He 
has been Township Treasurer for the past thirt}' 
years, and the average amount of township money 
handled has been §18,000 per year. His long resi- 
dence here has given him an extended acquaintance, 
and his honestj' is so well known that he has been 
chosen administrator for several estates. 

For more than forty years the joys and sorrows 
of Mr. Lester have been shared by a faithful wife, 
with whom he was united August 29, 1849. She 
bore the maiden name of Sarah Groves and is a na- 
tive of the Kej'Stone Slate. She is one of those 
noble women who endeavor consistently to dis- 
charge every duty, making their house the center 
of the universe, but whose influence extends in an 



484 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ever widening circle from year to year. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Lester belong to the Christian Church, of 
which he has been Elder since 1852, and wear their 
relit^ion as an cvery-day garment. Their family 
consisted of the following children : Henriette, Mar- 
tha, deceased; Barbara A., Andrew J., George W., 
Clara B., Lydia, Lincoln, .James N., Winfield S. and 
Elmer G. 



Eg^^ 



'\|)OHN B. HUNTER. The Barney Hunter 
farm lies a mile north of Buffalo and con- 
sists of more than four hundred and ninety 
^ acres of beautiful land. Its location is 
favorable and its natural advantages for drainage 
are perfect, as the land slopes gradually in each di- 
rection. To the natural beauties of the acreage 
hns been added an almost perfect equipment for 
farm life, making it indeed a model estate whose 
like is seldom seen. A fine house surrounded by 
trees and flowers, with a flourishing orchard to 
the west, and extensive outbuildings thoroughly 
adapted to the uses for which they were intended, 
with the lands carefully kept, make up a scene of 
great attractiveness. From the grounds around the 
dwelling to the remotest corner of the large estate, 
a look of order and cleanliness prevails and build- 
ings and fences are kept in perfect repair. Mr. 
Hunter is regarded as an ideal farmer and it is uni- 
versally acknowledged that he deserves the success 
which has come to him. 

Our subject was born in Bond County, this State, 
in 1825, and is the second child of David and 
Elizabeth Hunter. His father was of Iris!) ex- 
traction and born in North Carolina, whence he 
removed to Tennessee, subsequently coming to this 
State. The son of whom we write was reared on a 
farm, having the meager educational advantages of 
the day in schools held in log houses of primitive 
construction and furnishing. He began his career 
by the purchase of one hundred and twenty acres 
of land, making a payment of a yoke of oxen and 
securing time on the balance. From the first he 
showed the aptitude for his calling that has 
brought him a merited reward by placing him in 



the front rank among his fellow-craftsmen. In 1876 
he disposed of his original estate and purchased 
the land upon which he is now living. He had 
previously bought a fine tract near Lake Fork, 
Logan County, which has been increased until it 
amounts to eleven hundred and fifty acres. 

Mr. Hunter is a breeder of fine cattle, his favor- 
ites being Short-horns. His stock barns and sheds 
are commodious and arranged according to the 
best models, and in the care of stock he has no su- 
perior. His herds have repeatedly taken the first 
premiums in exhibitions where the best in the 
country competed. In addition to his farm in this 
Stale Mr. Hunter has a stock farm in Wyoming, on 
which he keeps a thousand horses and four thou- 
sand cattle. His entire landed estate makes up a 
princely domain. 

In 1844 Mr. Hunter was married to Martha J. 
Young, a native of Bond County, who died in 
1846, leaving one child, L. M. Hunter, now of 
Kans s City. Mr. Hunter subsequently married 
Mary Robinson, who was also removed from him 
by death, she leaving three daughters and two sons. 
The present wife of Mr. Hunter was Mrs. Eliza 
Johnson, nee White. This union has been blest b}' 
the birth of three children — a son, Guy, being the 
only one who now remains at home. Mr. Hunter 
gives his political adherence to the Democratic 
party. He holds membership in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



OHN M. STRIFFLER, a prominent ice 
dealer, with an office at No. 209 South Fifth 
Street and ice houses on Pxl wards Street 
between Ninth and Tenth Streets, is one of 
the oldest dealers in his line in the city of Spring- 
field. He was born at Wurtenjberg, Germany, 
May 22, 1840, and received a good education in the 
excellent schools of his native land. He was am- 
bitious to better his condition and in 1864 after he 
had attained manhood he emigrated to these shores. 
He came to this cilj- and located here permanently. 
He was a baker by trade, having learned and 
worked at that vocation in Vienna some six years, 



PORTRAiT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



485 



thus acquiring a thorough knowledge of liis calling, 
and in 1805 lie opened a bakery here which he 
managed until 1871 when he closed out and gave 
liis attention exclusively to the ice business, which 
he had been carrying on in connection with his 
bakery. For two years he was engaged in running 
a bottling establishment and also a Houring mill 
from 1880 until 1882, and in the winter time he 
handled coal and wood, carrying on these various 
enterprises with good success. 

Mr. Striffler has control of a very largo ice trade, 
and puts up about twenty-five thousand tons of ice 
each winter and is one of the largest dealers in the 
city, running five ice teams constantlj'. He con- 
ducts his business systematically and manages it 
with prudence, wisdom and foresight, so as to make 
it a money producing affair. 

Our subject was married in the month of Octo- 
ber, 1865, to Miss Philipina Bellam, of this city 
and they have eight living children. They have 
built up here a home which for coziness and com- 
fort and as the center of a pleasant hospitality is 
unsurpassed by any in its neighborhood. 

lS^^HOMAS W. S. KIDD. This name will at 
once be recognized as that of a conspicuous 
figure in Springfield, a man who has been 
connected with the administration of justice in 
divers ways, and for a number of years editor and 
[iroprietor of the Monitor. Mr. Kidd was born in 
Newcastle, Del., October 22, 1828, and in the same 
State his parents, John and Ann (Smith) Kidd, 
opened their eyes to the light. The ancestors on 
l-olh sides were Irish, and the two grandfathers of 
our subject crossed the Atlantic on the same ves- 
sel, spending four months on the ocean. Grand- 
father Kidd was a farmer, and Grandfather Smith a 
I'resbyterian minister. 

The mutlier of our subject died when he was three 
years old, quite suddenly, soon after the birth of 
his only brother. His father, partly from a cold 
Contracted from exposure and partly from grief, 
<lied a year later. Our subject was then taken by 
an aunt, Mrs. M. J. McPherson, a most estimable 




woman who did all that she could to fit her nephew 
for honor and usefulness in years to come. After 
living in Newcastle about a year, the family re- 
moved to (^larryviUe, where Mrs. McPherson had 
taken a contract to lioard a large number of hands 
who were employed by the Government in getting 
out stone for the Delaware breakwater, then in pro- 
cess of construction. There Thomas attended 
school six weeks, which comprised the entire time 
spent by him in the schoolroom. 

The family remained in Quarryville four years, 
then returned to Newcastle, and during the ensu- 
ing four years our subject did such work as a boy 
could do in order to help in the support of the fam- 
ily. In 1840 they went to Philadelphia, where 
young Kidd became an errand boy in a merchant 
tailoring establishment, serving about two years. 
T. S. Arthur and other literary celebrities were 
wont to congregate in the establishment, and young 
Kidd, while listening to their conversation, first 
conceived the idea of learning something of books 
and of the world. At the expiration of his service 
as an errand boy, he entered the printing and stereo- 
type foundry of John Fagiu to learn the trade. 

At this time the lad could scarcely read, and 
knew nothing about writing, but by patient efforts 
he soon learned to read well and write a fair hand. 
Ere many months he had become one of the proof- 
readers of the establishment, but he was not pleased 
with the life of a printer. His desire was to learn 
the machinist's trade, and after working in the 
printing office two years, he ran away to Wilmino-- 
ton, Del., where he ajiplieil for a situation in the 
railroad and machine shops. He found that no at- 
tention would be paid to an application unless 
backed by recommendations, so he went on foot to 
Newcastle to ask old friends of his father, who had 
known him when a small boy, to recommend him. 

Armed with his credentials the lad returned to 
Wilmington only to be told that he must wait three 
weeks before an opening could be made. Without 
money and without friends it was necessary that he 
obtain work at once, and he therefore bound 
himself to the firm of IloUingsworlh & Teas, black- 
smiths and machinists. Before his apprenticeship 
was over the firm failed, and he then engaged with 
Elliott il' Huston, loC(jniolive builders, with whom 



486 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



lie remained until 1849. In tiie meantime his 
former emploj'er, Mr. HoUingsworth, had removed 
to Chicago, and the j'oung man was asked to go 
thitlier and lake charge of the iron shops which he 
was about to establish. He accepted the offer, but 
after pursuing the work a short lime, became trav- 
eling agent for an agricultural implement firm. 

In this line of business Mr. Kidd continued, 
meeting with success, until 1857, with the excep- 
lion of a short period in 1853-54, which he spent 
in the East on account of his health. In February, 
1856, he brought his family to .Springfield, and the 
following year served as Bailiff in the I'nited Slates 
Marshal's office. The next jear he was elected 
Coroner and also appointed Deputy Sheriff, and a 
twelvemonth later he served as Sheriff of the Su- 
preme Court of Illinois. In 18G0 he was appointed 
by Judge Treat, Crier of the United States District 
Court, a position which he held until the spring of 
1877. In addition to these offices Mr. Kidd served 
as City Assessor fifteen j'ears, and Collector two 
yeara. While acting as Deputy Sheriff he read law 
and passed a successful examination before Judge 
Walker, receiving a license to practice. He says 
that he never had but two cases, and in the latter 
took offense at the answers of a colored witness 
and struck him, being fined by the Justice of the 
Peace for contempt of court for so doing. 

On the 1st of May, 1873, the first number of 
the Sangamon Monitor appeared. The sheet was 
an eight-column folio, presented a neat appearance 
and was well filled with readable matter. The peo- 
ple to whom the editor was well known, naturally 
looked for something spicy in the newspaper line, 
and were not disappointed. Perhaps no belter idea 
of the paper and of its editor can be given than 
that which the reader will gatlier from the accom- 
panying extracts from the salutatory: "American 
all over in our National pride — Democratic (not in a 
partisan sense), to the marrow, in our sentiments 
and ]ninciples — educated by an honest woman, and 
naturally disposed to lake the Golden Rule as our 
guide, and the side of the under dog in the fight, in 
the relations of life, we will ask an indulgent pub- 
lic to credit us in the outset with a reasonably good 
basis on which Ihey can rest assured that the 
chances for our being right in the main are at least 



good. We naturally detest deceit, whether prac- 
ticed by cliques or individuals, under the cloak of 
religion, politics, law or morals, and we intend to 
wage war against all such with all the energy and 
vim of our nature, regardless of greenbacks or re- 
lations, leaving consequences to take care of them- 
selves." 

The Monitor was started under what might be 
considered unfavorable circumstances. Its editor 
and publisher had but little capital as regards dol- 
lars and cents, but plenty of pluck and persever- 
ance, and triumphing over every obstacle, he has 
made the paper a success in every particular. From 
its initial number it has had a living patronage and 
from its profits a complete newspaper and job office 
has been fitted. The first issue of the daily edition 
was on June 28, 1877, and a characteristic editorial 
appeared. From this also we quote a few lines : 
"We have grown tired of seeing and unfolding our 
bosom and budget to you but once a week. We 
want to talk to you daily and tell you all we know 
of war, of crops, of politics, of religion, of law, and 
what we have heard in our rambles about news and 
matters transpiring during the fast unfolding events 
of twenty-four hour.s. We have grown chafed and 
weary of seeing those whom we hope to stir up to 
a little more evidence of life, have six words to our 
one, when 'talk's cheap' and printers can be had 
for nothing; when paper-makers and type found- 
ries furnish freely and gratis; and when close cor- 
porated monopolistic champions of the freedom of 
the press are gaining such enviable notoriety by 
furnishing news to the people at a penny a line." 
"We propose to take a hand in 'posting the people,' 
not to prejudice them, but letting everybody know 
what everybody else is doing; who don't, won't or 
can't behave themselves according to the old ten, or 
new eleventh commandment. Naughty humanity, 
behave yourself, if you don't desire a blast from 
the Monitor." "Give us your hand, your helping 
hand is the one asked for, and it might be while 
entertaining the Monitor you may be entertaining 
several small angels in disguise, floating around the 
homos and firesides of the boys depending for their 
bread upon the success of this enterprise." 

The above extracts are sufficient to give the 
I reader who is unacquainted with the personality of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



487 



Mr. Kidd, a fair understanding of the brilliancy of 
his mind, the frankness and humor of his speech, 
and the quickness of his perceptions. No man con- 
nected with the press of Springfield excels him in 
these respects, and few are his equals. His blunt- 
ness of speech necessarily causes offense at times, 
as it is one of the peculiarities of man to be averse 
to criticism, but the many good qualities of the 
man offset this in the minds of those who know 
him well. In any case he is one who manifests 
perfect fearlessness in regard to the effect of his 
utterances. 

July 3. 1854, while sojourning In the East. Mr. 
Kidd was united in marri.age with Miss Charlotte, 
daughter of Jesse and Maria .Janne^', who was born 
in Cecil County, Md. Mrs. Kidd is a bright, capa- 
ble woman, who looks well to the ways of her 
houseliold and makes her home cozy and attractive. 
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kidd, 
but two only lived to years of maturity. These 
were Lizzie G. and Presco Wright. The latter, a 
young man of great brilliancy, was engaged in 
newspaper work in Kansas City, Mo., when he was 
suddenly called from time to eternity, cutting short 
what promised to be an exceptionally bright and 
useful career. As an evidence of Mr. Kidd's loss 
in this promising boy, a memorial was published by 
his father, in which is coui|)iled in a book of fifty 
pages, the newspaper accounts of Presco's death 
and burial, and the expressions of sympatliy from 
friends, because of this great sorrow. 



'jlJ_^ON. JAMES M. GRAHAM. One of the 
most reputable law firms in Springfield is 
that of Scholes & Graham, of which our 
®) subject is the junior member. Mr. Graham 
is a gentleman of intelligence and is the recipient 
of an excellent education. He studied his profes- 
sion under a preceptor who instilled into his mind 
a thorough understanding of the principles under- 
lying it. The labor which he iiad performed prior 
to his admission to the bar was of a nature to 



strengthen his mental faculties and he was better 
fitted to take his position in one of the foremost 
r.mks of the profession than are most novices in 
the law. Although he has been in practice but a 
few years and is still quite a young man, he is rap- 
idly coming to liie front. 

Mr. Graham is a native of the Emerald Isle, 
born April 14, 1852, and emigrated to America 
when sixteen years old. The most of his family 
were then living in Illiopolis, this State, and thither 
he bent his footsteps. He had already had excel- 
lent scliooling, to which he added after his arrival 
in America. In 1870 he went to Champaign 
County and a few j'ears later began teaching, con- 
tinuing his work as a pedagogue from 1874 until 
1882. He then returned to the vicinity of his old 
home and had temporary charge of a coal mine at 
Niantic, Macon County. 

In 1884 Mr. Graham was elected to the Thirty- 
fourth General Assembly from the Twent3'-ninth 
District, carrying Macou County. That year was 
the only time when the district, which is composed 
of Macon and Logan Counties, elected two straight 
Democrats to the House of Representatives, and the 
fact is mainly due to the vigorous canvass of Mr. 
Graham. While in the Legislature our subject 
served as a member of the Committees on Educa- 
tion, Judiciarj', Mines and Mining, Geology' and 
Science, and Enrolled and P^ngrossed Bills. 

AVhile teaching. Mr. Graham had read law willi 
William A. Da>-, of Champaign, who was Second 
Auditor of the Treasury during President Cleve- 
land's .administration. In 1885 he passed the 
necessary examinations and was admitted to the 
bar, locating in Springfield near the close of that 
year. He practiced alone until two years since, 
when he became a member of the firm before 
mentioned. Mr. firaham is active in the local 
work of the Democratic party and in 1888 made a 
canvass of a large part of the State for the ticket 
of hi.t choice. He is a ready speaker, apt in illus- 
tration and an able logician, and he is therefore 
well qualified to make political speeches as well as 
to present cases to a judge or jury. 

At the head of the household in the pleasant 
home of Jlr. Graham is an intelligent woman of 
estimable character, whose maiden name was Kate 



488 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Wallace. She was born in Rantoul, Champaign 
County, III., on tlie 20lh of August, 1857, anrl in 
that city became the wife of our subject August 15, 
1876. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Graham con- 
sists of six children, named respectively: Hugh, 
,Iames, Arthur, Charles, Mary and Nellie. Mr. 
Graham belongs to the Modern Woodmen of 
America and the Benevolent and Protective Or- 
der of Elks. He is a member of the Church of 
the Immaculate Conception, (Catholic). 



^^ 



<« felLLIAlNI .T. SCHROYER, Police Magistrate 
\/\J// and Justice of the Peace at Springfield, 
^^ occupies an honorable position among the 
members of the legal profession in this city and 
county, as he has a clear comprehension of the law 
as applicable to cases tried before him, and possesses 
the ready tact, sound common sense and good 
judgment that eminently fit him for the responsible 
position he holds. 

Mr. Schroyer was born in Masontown, Fayette 
County, Pa., January 7, 1836, and is a son of J. J. 
and Mary A. (Sparks) Schro3'er. His father was a 
merchant all his life. He moved from the old 
home in Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1843, and became 
a resident of Harrison. Our subject was partly 
educated in that city, studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in Lawrenceburg, Ind., in 1859, having 
finished his studies in the English branches at Ox- 
ford, Ohio. He read law with Philip .Spooner, 
father of Senator John Spooner, the Senator being 
his next student. Mr. Schrojer practiced law at 
Lawrenceburg, and soon rose to eminence in his 
profession. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
for tiie rlistrict of Dearborn and Ripley Counties. 
After he gave up that office he abandoned the law, 
and engaged in the distiller}' business at Lawrence- 
burg for some time. In 1863 he came to Spring- 
field, ill., and was engaged in teaching very 
successfully until he was elected Justice of the 
Peace. He also held a position in the United 
States Marshal's office and for a time was in the 
ProTost- Marshal's office. 

The Judge was elected to his present position as 



Police M.agistrate on the Democratic ticket in 1880, 
and has his office at No. 124 North Fifth Street. 
So well were his constituents pleased with his course 
in office that they have twice re-elected him to this 
responsible position, whose duties he is filling with 
characteristic fidelity and without regard to party 
or personal considerations. He is a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the 
Knights of the Maccabees of the World, and 
Knights of Honor. 

Judge Schroyer married Miss Sarah P. Roll, of 
Sangamon County, a daughter of the late Pierson 
Roll, their wedding being solemnized September 
23, 1866. Their attractive home is the center of 
a gracious and genial hospitalitj' which they often 
share with their many friends. The Judge is active 
in local politics, is a public-spirited man, a true 
citizen, and is always found ready to aid in for- 
warding all schemes for the advancement of city 
and county. 

«, : ,g^J#iUgc : . 

^ USTUS TOWNSEND, M. D. In a city so 
large as Springfield, where the medical pro- 
fession is represented by so many men of 
theoretical knowledge and practical skill, it 
would be hard indeed to determine who stands in 
the front lank. It will not be disputed, however, 
that Dr. Tovvnsend has a high standing as physician 
and surgeon, not onl}- among the people but among 
his medical brethren. He has been located hero 
since January, 1864, and has become known to a 
wide circle of acquaintances, who invariably look 
upon him with respect for his upright life and 
character as well as for his professional ability. 

Tiie parents of our subject were Joseph and 
Nancy (Tompkins) Townsend, his birthplace Ulster 
County, N. Y., and his natal day July 17, 1828. 
The lad grew to maturity in the Empire State. He 
pursued his higher studies in the Normal School at 
Albany and at an academy in Sullivan County, 
after which he entered a drug store for a year, as a 
preparatory step toward the medical profession. 
He pursued his professional studies under Dr. J. S. 
Freer, of Ulster County and in 1850 took his first 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



489 



course of lectures in New York City. In 1851-52 
he studied in the Berkshire Medical College at 
Pittsfieid, Mass., and after finishing the course 
located for practice in Sullivan County, N. Y. 

After laboring there three years Dr. Townsend 
went to Sioux City, Iowa, remaining until the 
breaking out of the Civil War, when he entered the 
service of the Government. When he first went 
to Sioux City, that now flourishing place contained 
seven log cabins covered with mud. At the begin- 
ning of the Civil War Dr. Townsend became As- 
sistant Surgeon in Dakota, afterward acting in the 
same capacity at Ft. Randall in the Indian Terri- 
tory, whence he came to Springfield in November, 
1863. Since that time he has been carrying ou a 
general practice in this citj-, combining the labors 
of a physician anil surgeon, in both of which 
branches he was well taught and manifests great 
practical ability. 

Dr. Townsend has been physician to St. John's 
Hospital for a decade or more, and has also been 
physician to other institutions, such as the Home 
of the Friendless, etc. He is a member of three 
iliedical societies; that of the State, tlie county, and 
the Tri-Slate. He is a Master Mason and a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church. While a resident of 
Dakota he was appointed b}' Gov. Jayne Territorial 
Auditor and afterward elected to the same office. 

In his professional anxieties and rejoicings, as in 
all else in which he is interested. Dr. Townsend 
has the sympathy of nn estimable woman, who be- 
came his wife M.ay 5, 1869. She is a native of 
this county, bore the maiden name of Clara S. 
Stafford, and was formerly the wife of John H. 
Brown. She is well educated, an efficient house- 
keeper, and an earnest Christian, belonging to the 
Presbyterian Cliurch. 



-^-*-]^ ^ 



E^ DGAR S. SCOTT. This rising j'oung citi- 
zen of Springfield is ably filling the position 
of Teller of the Illinois National Bank, in 
which capacity- he has served for two years past. 
He has risen from the position of messenger boy 
in a banking institution, by reason of his faithful 



discharge of the duties which devolved upon him. 
his trustworthiness when given responsibilities, and 
the quickness of perception which ensured his rapid 
understanding of the various matters connected 
with the banking business. 

Mr. Scott comes of a good family, his parents 
being the Rev. Abel H. and Jane (Conner) Scott, 
whose present home is Girard, Kan. The Rev. Mr. 
Scott was born in Kentucky and in that State re- 
ceived his literary education. He came to Illinois 
when a young man and here read for the ministry, 
becoming one of llie pioneers of the Baptist faith 
in Central Illinois. For several years he was located 
at Petersburg, Jacksonville and Mason City, respect- 
ively. In 1877 be removed to Kansas and took up 
his residence in the town which is still his home. 
His wife \Tas living in Boardstown, this State, at 
the time of their marriage, having come hither 
with her parents from her birthplace. Cape May, 
N. J. The family of this estimable couple consists 
of six children: William W.. Mary K., Samuel P., 
Edgar S., Louise and Charles J. The older daughter 
is now the wife of J. O. Humpiirey, of Springfield. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Jackson- 
ville, this State, April 24, 1866. He studied in the 
common schools of Auburn, then entered the High 
School in Garnet, Kan., from which he was gradu- 
ated at the early age of fourteen years. He secured 
a position as clerk in a general store in the Garden 
State, resigning it two years later to come to Spring- 
field. Here he found employment in the grocery 
store of Col. Wickersham, but two years later en- 
tered the F'irst National Bank as a messenger. He 
was promoted to the Corresponding Clerk's desk 
and resigned his position there in January, 1889, to 
accept that of Teller in the Illinois National Bank. 
Within six j'ears he has risen to his present posi- 
tion of responsibility, and although but twenty-four 
years old he is already connected with some im- 
portant corporations and classed among the most 
prominent young business men in the city. 

Mr. Scott is Treasurer of the Division News 
Publishing Company and interested in the German- 
American Savings &: Loan Association. He is 
identified with several of the social and benevolent 
orders, namely : The Elks, Knights of Pythias and 
Odd Fellows, and is tjuartermaster for the State 



490 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



for the Sons of Veterans. He is a member of the 
Republican Club of the city. ]\Ir. Scott belongs 
to the Baptist Church, is Secretary of the Sunday- 
school of the Central Church, and brings as much 
energy to bear upon his CInistian life and work as 
upon the business of this world. He is a popular 
member of society, being genial, courteous and 
well-informed, and makes friends among the old 
as well as tlie young. 




ENRY T. FULLENWIDER. This gentle- 
man is numbered among the younger farm- 
ers of Mechanicsburg Townsliip, and is 
following in his father's footsteps as a suc- 
cessful tiller of the soil. He carries on his work 
according to the most approved modern methods, 
and is found ready to take advantage of every 
means which will add to the value of the crops and 
stock that he raises. He occupies the old Fullen- 
wider home, and wasljorn in this township, March 
1, 184G. There he was reared and tauglit the lu-in- 
ciples which should govern every life, together with 
the useful w.ays that redound to his credit as a 
farmer and a man. 

Our subject is one of eleven children born to 
.Jacob N. and Agnes (Bullard) Fullenwidei'. The 
history of the father is an interesting one, he hav- 
ing been one of the most influential men ever known 
in this count}'. He vvas born in Kentucky and 
came here in the fall of 1834 with his widowed 
mother, liis father having died in .luly preceding. 
lie was then but twenty years old, but he had 
already evinced those sterling traits of character 
that made him a man of mark in later years. Upon 
attaining his majority he began life for himself as 
a farmer, soon undertaking the improvement of 
stock. He was one of the pioneers in fine ,stock 
breeding and greatly in advance of the times in iiis 
method of farming. His progressive ideas bore 
their legitimate fruit, in the amassing of a splendid 
estate of more than thirteen hundred acres. 

Jacob Fullenwider was the first member of his 
community to build a commodious brick house upon 
his farm. His was the ideal country home — a taste 



ful dwelling surrounded by fine trees, and filled 
with books, pictures, and everything that betokened 
the cultured life of a Christian gentleman. With 
his business thrift Mr. Fullenwider did not neglect 
other matters of paramount importance. For fifty 
years he was a member of tlie Methodist P^iiscopal 
Church and his influence on the community is last- 
ing. He will long be held in grateful remembrance 
by those wlio profited by his precept and example. 
The death of this noble man took place January 
22,1887. 

The son of whom we write, has inherited his fa- 
ther's position as an active member of society and 
is following the exanijilc set before him in living an 
upright and useful life. For twelve \'ears he lias 
been a member of the School Board and his con- 
tinuance in office affords evidence of the opinion 
held of his ability and good judgment by those 
about him. He has brought his intelligence to bear 
upon Governmental questions and is thoroughlj' 
convinced that Re|)ublican principles are just and 
true. He is, therefore, a stanch member of the, Re- 
publican party, never fulling to deposit his vote. 
He is a member of tlie JMethodist Episcopal Church. 

The wife of our subject bore the maiden name of 
Sarah C. Lindsly. She is an intelligent, refined 
woman, who finds her greatest joy in the pleasures 
of domestic life, but possesses social qualities and 
has a wide circle of friends. The home is bright- 
ened by the presence of four children — Arthur, 
Agnes, Tliomas Irving and Wilford T. 

ylLLIAM MARTIN BEAL resides on sec- 
tion 9, Island Grove Township, where he 
W^ has a choice little farm that is substantially 
improved and well cultivated. He is a native of 
Illinois and was born July 17, 1859, near Alexan- 
dria in Morgan County. His parents, William and 
Christina Beal, are both natives of Germany and 
are residents of Morgan County. The}' came to 
this country in 1835 and were among the early set- 
tlers of the county where they now make their 
home. 

Since coming to this county our subject has ac- 



V 















P .1 







(y^ ^:^^^^«^^^^^^7^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



493 



quired a neat little farm of forty-nine acres, which 
he is constantl}' improving. He began life b^- 
worliing by the month for wages, and was tluis en- 
gaged some years. He wisely saved his earnings 
anil finally became more independent by engaging 
i"i farming for iiimself on rented land in this town- 
ship. He kept constantly emploj'ed in cultivating 
his land and met with sucli good success that he 
was finally enabled to buy his present farm, wiiich 
is located atiout two miles east of Berlin, on which 
he has quite a fine orchard, and is also engaged in 
raising grain, luigs, etc. He is hard working and 
ambitious and bids fair to become a large land- 
owner and one of the wealthy men of the place. 

Our subject's home is a neat and attractive 
little house, and is presided over by his good and 
capable wife to whom lie was married in New Ber- 
lin Township, February 21, 1878. Mrs. Btal was 
formerly Nannie Prehn and is the daughter of Fred 
and Mary Prehn, who were born in Germany. 
They liave one cliild a little girl Pliebe C. Both 
she and her husband are members of the Liitlier.Tii 
Church and are consistent Christians as is shovvn in 
their everyday life. They are greatly esteemed 
by all around them and are considered to be two 
of the most desirable members of the community 
where they have made tlieir home. 



-^-^^ « 



JIILKIMON STOUT. Many of our readers 
will recognize this name as that of a promi- 
j^ nent and popular resident of Ball Township. 
The Stout family is well known in the 
county and is looked upon as one of the most re- 
spected, honorable and useful in this section. 
The origin of the family in America is quite ro- 
mantic. Sometime during the seventeenth century 
a young couple just married in Holland embarked 
on a vessel bound for the New World. The voj'age 
was prosperous until thej* were nearing the port of 
New Amsterdam, noiv New York, when the vessel 
was wrecked off the coast of New Jersey and nearly' 
all on board drowned. 

The j'oung Hollanders escaped with a small 
number of others and succeeded in reaching the 



shore where they were attacked by Indians and the 
entire party tomahawked and left for dead. The 
young wife survived, although scalped and other- 
wise mangled, having her bowels cut out and these 
she had to carry in her apron. She had suflScient 
strength to crawl from tlie scene of slaughter and 
secrete herself in a hollow concealed by underbrush. 
She Lay there a day or two, during which time her 
mental and bodily sufferings may be imagined but 
cannot be described. She finallj' made up iier 
mind that she would die of hunger and thirst if 
she remained quiet, while if she attempted to seek 
sustenance she would .again be exposed to death at 
the hands of the savages. Reasoning that the lat- 
ter would be preferable to starvation she sum- 
moned lier remaining strength, and dragged herself 
out to an open space where she would be seen by 
the Indians whom she thought were near, as a deer 
had just passed with an arrow sticking in its bod}'. 
Three Indians appeared on the trail and seeing her 
two of them rushed forward with uplifted toma- 
hawks, but the third, a chief, restrained them. He 
took her to New Amsterdam where he received a 
ransom for her, and she was thus placed in the 
hands of friends who gave her proper surgical 
treatment and nursing. The name of her husband 
is not known, but her name was Van Princess, and 
her Christian name, Penelope, has stood in tradi- 
tion and literature for more than twent3--five cen- 
turies for the highest ideal of a true and lo3'al wife. 
Our modern Penelope had no doubts as to the 
death of her husband, for she h.ad been an eye-wit- 
ness to the catastrophe. After her recovery she 
became acquainted with and married an English- 
man, Richard Stout by name. They went to New 
Jersey where they made a home and reared a 
family of twelve sons. Penelope Stout lived to be 
one hundred and eleven 3'ears old and at the time 
of her death her posterity numbered four hundred 
and seven. 

One of the sons, Jonathan Stout, and his family 
were the founders of the Hoiiewell settlement in 
Hunterdon County,^ N. J., where the Hopewell 
Baptist Church was afterward organized with fif- 
teen members, nine^being Stouts._ The society was 
founded at the house of a Stout and for thirty 
years the meetings were held chiefly at the houses 



494 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of the Stouts, after which they erected their first 
house of worship. .Touathan Stout lived until iiia 
descendants were multiplied to one iiundred and 
seventeen. 

Richard and Penelope Stout's youngest son was 
David, from whom our SLibject is directly de- 
scended. The line is traced through Benjamin, 
Jedediah and Philemon, Sr. The last named was 
born in New Jersey, May 15, 1785, and in child- 
hood went with his parents to Fayette County, Ky. 
He was married in Woodford County, February 8, 
1810, to Penelope Anderson, a native of Mercer 
County, N. J. Soon after their marriage this 
couple settled in Scott County, but in 1820 re- 
turned to Fayette County. In 183(5 they came 
with their seven children to this county and located 
in Ball Township. They made their journey in the 
primitive fashion, with a team and wagon, and 
crossed the Ohio River at Louisville, Ky., and the 
Wabash at Vincennes. 

The father of our subject bought three hundred 
and fifty acres of land where the son of whom we 
write now lives. Tiiere he occupied a log house 
and devoted himself to agricultural employment 
until his death, January 31, 1846. His good wife 
' lived until November 23, 1860, and was an inmate 
of the home of our subject when called hence. 
They were the parents of thirteen children, seven 
of whom grew to maturity. Of these Jackson died 
in Ball Township in 1839; Elihu is farming in Au- 
burn Township; Charlotte A., is the wife of S. L. 
Ridgeway and lives in Marysville, Mo. ; Mary, 
formerly the wife of Dickson Hall, died in Taylor- 
ville in 1890; Eliza P. is the widow of William 
Forbes of Woodside Township; Martha A. married 
R. G. Simpson and lives in Ball Township; our 
subject is the fourth among this number. 

Piiilenion Stout, Jr., was born near Georgetown, 
Scott County, Ky., April 19, 1822. He lived in 
Fayette County until he was nearly fifteen years 
old when he accompanied his parents to this State. 
He was rather a weakly child, but he attended the 
district schools whenever it was possible to do so, 
while living in Kentucky. In this State he had but 
four weeks' schooling. He helped his father to 
improve the raw land, doing the breaking and culti- 
vating with oxen and a plow with wooden mold- 



board and iron share. The greatest drawback to 
the comfort of the family was ague and other 
sickness. They hauled graiu and drove cattle to 
St. Louis, Mo., which was the nearest important 
market. 

After the death of his father our subject still 
remained on the homestead, contributing to the 
support of the family and finally buying the farm. 
Success crowned his efforts in raising grain and 
dealing in stock, and starting with three hundred 
and lifty acres on section 10, Ball Township, he be- 
came the owner of over two thousand acres in 
Woodside and Pawnee Townships, for which he 
paid as high as $57 per acre. His present prosper- 
ity he attributes to the blessings of Providence. In 
1884 he deeded two-thirds of his property to his 
children and now has seven hundred and seventy 
acres in his possession. 'All the land is tillable and 
well improved, there being five tenant iiouses upon 
it. It consists of four hundred and eighty acres on 
section 15, two hundred and fifty acres on section 
10, and forty acres on section 16. Mr. Stout car- 
ries on the home farm of two hundred and fifty 
acres, feeding cattle and raising deversifled crops. 
In 1854 he put up a fine residence and other build- 
ings have been erected as need required, while 
thrifty orchards and well-kept groves add to the 
beauty and value of the farm. The home estate is 
nine miles from .Springfield and is well supplied 
with living springs and water from Sugar Creek. 

In Ball Township in 1848 the marriage rites 
were celebrated between our subject and Melissa 
Shoup. That lady was born in Piqua, Ohio, to 
Jacob and Sarah (Downing) Shoup, the former a 
native of Pennsylvania. In 1832 Mr. and Jlrs. 
Shoup came to this State, where the husband 
farmed until his death. That event took place in 
1848 and his wife passed away two years later. 
They were the parents of sixteen children. Mrs. 
Melissa Stout shared her husband's fortunes until 
1855 when she breathed her last. Of the four 
children whom she bore, the first-born, Samuel J., 
is tiie only survivor. Sarah P. and George W. 
died in early childhood and John F. when ten 
years old. 

Samuel J. Stout was born August 22, 1849, re- 
ceived his early education in the common schools 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



495 



of the township and then spent a j'ear and a lialf at 
Lincoln Univeisitj. He now owns sixteen hun- 
dred acres of hind in this countj', tlaee hunthed 
and ninet3--thrce acres being in Woodside and the 
rest in Ball Township. He has valuable improve- 
ments on his land and is the largest stock-dealer 
and breeder in the township. He raises Polled- 
Angns cattle and is the keeper of the animals be- 
longing to the Percheron Horse Company, of which 
he is a member. He belongs to the Agricultural 
Society of Sangamon County and is a Director and 
Stockholder of the Farmers' Bank in Springfield. 
He has been Township Supervisor two terms. In 
politics he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, holding membership in the Blue 
Lodge at Chatham, the Chapter at Auburn and the 
Commandery at Springfield. He is one of the 
most popular men of the county, as well he may 
be, being fnll of energy, intelligence and social 
spirit. He was married July 29, 1670, to Emma 
Brassfield, a native of Menard County, who died 
December 20, 1875. In 1881 Mr. Stout married 
Emma Davidson, who was born in Pawnee Town- 
ship, this county, March 25, 1858. Her father, 
Samuel Davidson, is a prominent farmer. This 
union has been blest by the birth of three children — 
Nellie Van Princess, Samuel Philemon and Emma 
Melissa. 

The subject of our sketch contracted a second 
marriage near Athens, Menard County, in 1856. 
His bride was Miss Louisa P. Brassfield, who was 
born in Madison County, Ky. Her father, James 
E. Brassfield, was an early settler in Menard 
County, and he and his wife spent their last years 
in the home of our subject. To Mr. Stout and his 
present wife three children have been born. The 
eldest, James, is bookkeeper and stockholder in the 
Farmers' Bank at Springfield; the j'oungest, Me- 
lissa M., is the wife of William T. Lewis, teller in 
the same bank; Joab P., the second child was born 
April 3, 1860, and is successfully eng.aged in 
farming in Ball Township, owning and operating 
four hundred acres of well-improved land. He was 
married in Coles County, September 15, 1886, to 
Ida F. Sawin, a daughter of Elder John G. and 
Louisa (Jones) Sawin. Her parents were born in 
Indiana and Coles County, respectively, and her 



father combines the occupations of a' farmer,3"a 
merchant and a minister in the Baptist Church. 
Mrs. Ida Stout was graduated from Lee's Academy 
in Coles County, 111.; she is the mother of two 
children — John Philemon and Fr.ank S. 

The subject of this sketch has been School Direc- 
tor and Trustee for years, has served in the 
capacity of Highway Commissioner several terms 
and as Township Supervisor for six years. He was 
formerly Justice of the Peace but resigned the office. 
He belongs to the Democratic party and is a strong 
advocate of temperance. His religious belief is 
expressed by the creed of the Baptist Church In 
which he has been a Deacon for years. He gave 
the site for the house of worship and contributed 
to the building fund. He is a man of liberal nature 
and his abundant means provide him with oppor- 
tunities for .assisting in all worthy enterprises. He 
is good-natured, hospitable, proves a jolly com- 
panion and one whose fund of information is found 
to be extensive. 

In connection;with this biographical review the 
reader will be pleased to notice a lithographic por- 
trait of Mr. Stout. 




RANCIS E. PAYNE is one of the leading 
^ gunsmiths and hardware merchants of 
Springfield, carrying the largest stock of 
any firm of hardware dealers in the city, and he is 
one of the substantial and well-known business men 
of this place. He was born in Utica, N. Y., June 9, 
1829. His parents were William M. and Rebecca 
(Dickens) Payne, also natives of the Empire State. 
His father was a painter by occupation. 

Francis E. Payne was reared in the city of Utica, 
N. Y., and early learned the trade of a gunsmith. 
At the age of eighteen he entered the employ of a 
gunsmith in Utica and continued with him until 
July, 1854. He then determined to try life further 
westward, and made his way to Cincinnati. Ohio, 
where he remained nearly four years. His next 
move was to Springfield and he arrived in this 
city in the month of April, 1858, and has ever since 
made his home here. He immediately started in 



496 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



business as a gunsmilh. and to this lie lias added 
Llie hardware business and conducts one of the 
largest and most flourishing trades in the cit3'. He 
has become one of the monej-ed men of Springfield, 
a position to which he has attained by dint of per- 
severance and earnest effort, continued through 
3'ears of active business life. He began life a poor 
boy and is a noble example of our self-made men. 
Honorable in all things, he has the respect of all. 
Religiously he is one of the truest members of the 
Episcopal Church. Politically his predilections 
are for the Democratic party but he makes it a 
point to vote for the best man. 

To the good wife who has been of such material 
assistance to him in making life successful, our 
subject was married in the month of May, 1855. 
Mrs. Payne was formerly' Marietta Waldron, and is 
a native of Metamora, Woodford County. Tlie 
Waldrons, who were originally Vermonters, came to 
Illinois from Utica, N. Y., and were among the pio- 
neers of Woodford County. Mr. and Mrs. Payne 
have three children living: E. W. and W. M., both 
in business with their father; and a daughter, Min- 
nie Ada, who is at home with her parents. One of 
the sons E. W. is not only associated with his 
father but is Teller in the Ridgely National Bank 
and Secretary of the Electric Motor Railroad. 

\l^ ON. WILLIAM E. .SHUTT, now a member 
^^ of the State Senate from the Thirty-first 
Senatorial District, known as the Capital 
District, was born in Waterford, Loudoun 
County, Ya., May 5, 1842. His parents were na- 
tives of that State. His mother's maiden name was 
Leslie. His father for many years was engaged in 
the mercantile business in the State of Virginia 
and came Illinois in 1842, when our subject was an 
infant six months old. His mother died in 1865, 
and his father in 1866 in this city. 

Onr subject was educated in the common schools 
of Springfield, and read law with Judge James H. 
Matheny. He was admitted to the bar in 1863, and 
the following year was elected City Attorney', and 
from that time to the present at short intervals he 




has served in positions of public trust. In 1868 
he was elected to the Mayoralty of said citj', and 
in 1874 was first elected to the State Senate; he 
was re-elected in 1878 and in 1886. He has thus 
served three full terms, during each of which he has 
been a member of the Judiciary and Appropriation 
Committees as well as other less important commit- 
tees, and has for the last three sessions of the Sen- 
ate been President of the Democratic caucus of that 
body. 

In the practice of his profession Mr. Sliutt was 
alone until 1869, when he formed a partnership 
with the Hon. James C. Robinson and the Hon. 
Anthony L. Knapp, and remained with them as a 
partner until they died, when he went in partner- 
ship with the Hon. John M. Palmer, and has been 
with him since up to the present time, the firm now 
being Palmer & Shutt. He was married to Miss 
Ella V. Collins, daughter of Johii Collins, January 
13, 1866, in the city of New Orleans, La. Mr. 
Shutt is now and has always been identified with 
the Democratic party. He stands high among the 
members of the legal fralernit3', and his record as 
a public servant commands the respect of every- 
body. 

S^^- " 

M. BELL, M.D., is a leading physician of 
Rochester and one of its enterprising and 
progressive business men. His entire life 
has been passed in this county and with its 
interests and enterprises he has been closely iden- 
tified. He was born on a farm in Rochester Town- 
ship August 6, 1856, and is a son of James H. and 
Milla (Dodson) Bell. His mother died in 1870, 
but his father is still living and follows farming in 
Christian County. 

The Doctor spent his boyhood and j'outh in the 
usual manner of farmer lads, attending the district 
schools and aiding in the cultivation of his father's 
land. His primary education was supplemented 
by a course in the iipringlield schools, where he 
pursued bis studies two 3'ears. Having then made 
choice of the medical profession as a life-work he 
entered the medical department of the State Uni- 
versity at Ann Arbor, Mich., from which he was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



49r 



graduated in the class of '79, whereupon he returned 
to this county. He embarked in practice in Berry, 
Cooper Township, and thence removed to Blaolv- 
burn. Christian County, but after about four 
months he returned to Berry. Some three years he 
engaged in farming, and in the summer of 1884 he 
took up his residence in the village of Rochester, 
where he has since followed his chosen profession. 
He keeps abreast of all the discoveries in medi- 
cal science, and owing to his skill and ability he 
has won an excellent patronage. Other interests 
have also engrossed his attention and made him a 
well-to-do man. He is proprietor of the Rochester 
Tile Works situated just south of the village and 
owns about seven hundred acres of land, the 
greater part of which lies within the boundaries of 
Sangamon Couijty. 

A marriage ceremony performed at the I'esidence 
of Robert North near Berry on the 29th of April, 
1880, united tlie destinies of Dr. Bell and Miss 
Laura F. North, who was born in Cooper Town- 
sliip. This wortiiy and estimable couple are held 
in high esteem, and are active and faithful members 
of tlie Christian Churcli. laboring earnestly in the 
Master's vineyard. Socially tlie Doctor is a mem- 
ber of Rochester Lodge, No. 635, A. F. & A. M.; 
Springfield Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; and Elwood 
Commandery, No. 6, K. T. He also holds member- 
ship in the local lodge of Modern Woodmen. He 
has taken quite an active part in political affairs, 
is a stanch Democrat and has been twice elected 
Supervisor of Rocliester Township, proving an 
able and efficient officer. He is well and widely 
known throughout the community, stands higli in 
the social world and ranks among the foremost in 
the medical fraternity of the county. 



,^^ AMU EL D. SCHOLES. As is the case in 
*^^ all cities it may be said of the lawyers of 
Springfield that their name is legion. It is 
nevcrtlieless true that, while it may be 
difficult to point out the one who stands in the front 
rank in all respects it is yet easy to determine who 
are prominent in legal circles. Among this com- 



paratively limited number is tlie gentleman above 
named, who has been in [iractice in this city nearly 
a quarter of a century and who has therefore be- 
come well known. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Peoria 
County, III., February 5, 1840. His father, Rich- 
ard Scholes, came from his native town of Accring- 
ton, in the county of Lancaster, England, to this 
county in 1823, and for several years thereafter 
followed the business of a calico print designer in 
the East, where he was married to Gemina Dal- 
rymi:>le, a native of Ireland. In 1837 the father 
came with his family to Illinois and located in Peo- 
ria County, where he continued to reside until his 
death. For many jears he was extensively en- 
gaged in the mercantile business in Chillicothe, and 
there our subject grew to maturity. 

The young man, after completing his education 
at Antioch College, in Yellow Springs, Ohio, stud- 
ied law with Johnson it; Hopkins, of Peoria. Before 
completing his course of study he enlisted as a sol- 
dier and served first in Company F, One Hundred 
and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and afterward 
on the reorganization of the Fourteenth Illinois 
Infantry he again enlisted and was commissioned 
First Lieutenant of Compan}' C. At the close of 
the war, in September, ]8().5, he was honorably dis- 
charged at Springfield. Resuming his course of 
legal studies he was admitted to the bar in Janu- 
ar}', 1866, and immediately opened his office liero. 

Mr. Scholes was for several years associated with 
the Hon. S. M. Culloni and Tliomas C. Mather, and 
for the past few years with the Hon. James M. 
Graham, all prominent in their profession. He was 
Master in Chancery under Judge Zane, occupying 
that position for four successive terms. He gives 
his attention to general practice. 

Mr. Scholes is now building a fine residence on 
South Fourth Street, opposite the Gubernatorial 
mansion. Its doors will soon be thrown open to 
the best society in Springfield, wherein Mr. and 
Mrs. Scholes both count man3' friends. The lady 
who presides witli grace and dignity in the home 
became the wife of our subject July 19, 1869, prior 
to which time she was known as Miss Margaret 
Stoekdale. The congenial union has been blessed 
to them by the birth of four children — James B., 



498 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Alice, Samuel and Jessie. Mr, Sclioles is a member 
of the Grand Array of the Republic. He has 
always taken an active interest in the growth and 
improvement of the city, and was one of the 
incorporators of the Springfield Electric Light and 
Power Comp.Tny, of which he is now the Vice- 
President. 







eilOMAS E. SEXTON is not only prosper- 
ously engaged in the livery business, hav- 
'^^f ing a weil-equippc'i] livery and feed stable 
on Seventh Street, Springfield, but he is a prominent 
fanner and stock-breeder. He is a native of New 
Jersey and was born near Bordentown August 12, 
1835. His father, Peter Sexton lived and died in 
New Jersey. He married in early manhood Miss 
Elizabeth Mount, a native of the same State. Mr. 
Sexton was a farmer by occupation but retired 
from active business when his son, of whom we 
write was a lad of fifteen years, and moving to 
Iiordentown he spent there the remainder of his 
days. He was a thoroughly good man and was a 
member of the Baptist Church. In his political 
views he was a decided Whig. 

Thomas Sexton of this biographical review, early 
ilisitlayed an ambition to make his own way in the 
world and at the age of eighteen in the year 1853, 
he came to this State and located near Fidelity in 
Jersey County with his brother. Before he mar- 
ried he bought partly-improved land and in 1859 
bought the land he now owns which was then only 
a little improved, and he made his home in South 
Fork Township, a part of his farm lying in this 
county. He immediately entered upon its further 
iinproTcment, built a house and began to place the 
land under tillage. He was much in need of the 
active co-operation of a good wife tii assist him in 
building up a comfortable pleasant home, and he 
returned to Bordentown, N. J., and was there mar- 
ried to Miss Musadora English. He then went 
into the photograph business and was thus engaged 
for some yeais in Bordentown, and subsequently 
at Wilmington, Del., where he remained until the 
close of the war. After that, he came back to Illi- 



nois to make his home here permanently, and for 
two or three years lived on his farm. We next 
hear of him in the butcher business at Taylorville, 
Christian County. He resumed farming later, and 
for four years was actively engaged in agriculture. 
Two years ago, he came here and conducted the 
grocery business for a while. He has carried on the 
livery business for about three months and has here 
a good stable, well stocked and supplied with neat 
and comfortable vehicles of all kinds. 

Mr. Sexton is still interested in agriculture and 
has one of the finest farms in Pawnee Township and 
another in South Fork Township, Christian County, 
comprising in all three hundred and twenty acres, 
which he keeps in stock, mainly raising horses. He 
is much interested in that branch of stock breeding, 
and has some fine specimens of horse-flesh of his 
own raising. 

To our subject ar.d his first wife were born four 
children two of whom are still living; EfBe W. and 
Musadora B. The maiden name of the present 
wife of Mr. Sexton was Julia Ann Morrison and 
she is a native of Keene, N. H. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Sexton are valued members of the Baptist 
Church and their many fine personal qualities have 
gained them a warm place in the hearts of all with 
whom they associate. Mr. Sexton gives his entire 
attention to his business and does not mingle in 
politics other than to vote with the Republican 
party. 



^^1= 



(« I^ILLIAM B. WORKMAN. A stroll through 
\ r\ // the streets of Loami will give the passing 
\vW traveler ideas regarding the business en- 
terprise of the dwellers therein, and the demand 
u|)on its commercial establishments by the commu- 
nity, such as will afford him abundant food for 
thought. The number of thriving business houses 
will seem to some visitors out of proportion to the 
size of the town, but when we consider that this 
county is the home of an army of agriculturists 
whose needs are legion, we will be in no wise aston- 
ished at the business life of the towns which are 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



499 



dotted about its territory. William Woi-kman hhs 
beeu for some time engajj;ed in the sale of general 
roercliandise in Loanii, and is doing a large busi- 
ness. 

William Workman, tiic fatlier of our subject, 
was born in Maryland in 1799. He came to this 
county in 1836, from Kentucky, traveling with a 
two-wheeled cart drawn by a yoke of oxen. He 
was accompanied by his wife, who was born in Ten- 
nessee in 1801, and bore the maiden name of Sarah 
Bilyen. The party was further increased by the 
presence of five cliildren, who at that time com- 
prised the family of Mr. and Mrs. Workman. The 
number of their sons and daughters was subse- 
quently increased to eleven, our subject being the 
eighth on the family roll. This county was the 
liome of tiie parents of our subject during the re- 
mainder of their lives. Here the father died in 
1876, and the mother, November 13, 1888. 

Like many of tiie early pioneers, Mr. Workman 
had to contend with poverty, but his energy and 
perseverance enabled him to overcome obstacles, 
and lay the foundation of an ample fortune, which 
was literally hewed out by hard work, economy, 
and industry. Before his death he had accumu- 
lated a fine property, consisting of five hundred 
and twenty acres of fertile land whereon he had 
made all the imi)rovements that are included in a 
comfortable home. He was a member of the Dunk- 
ard Church, a consistent Christian, honest and earn- 
est. As long as her life was spared, his good wife 
aided in upbuilding his fortunes, and advancing the 
true welfare of their children. 

Coming of such stock it is not to be wondered 
at that our subject has developed sterling traits of 
character, and pursued with zeal the business to 
which he has turned his attention. He was born 
on August 14, 1837, on a farm one and a half miles 
south of Loami, and obtained his education in the 
common schools. He describes the temple of learn- 
ing which he attended in boyhood, as a log struc- 
ture cemented together by mud, through the cracks 
of which the snow would penetrate, and which 
proved but a scanty protection against the driving 
storms. A huge fire|)lace was used for heating pur- 
poses, and evenjwith the roaring logs which were 
being consumed therein, it was found difficult to 



keep warm when the wintry winds blew around the 
building. 

At the early age of twenty years, Mr. Workman 
gained a companion, being married on the 22d of 
May, 1857, to Lydia Bilyen. The bride was born 
in Tennessee, May 5, 1844. She has been a faith- 
ful and efficient helpmate and a devoted mother. 
Three of ten children born to Mr. and ^Nlrs. Work- 
man, are now living. These are William F., Gallic 
and Millie. Our subject is a member in good 
standing of the Christian Church. 

t^ f^^'AV 



DWARD F. CONNOR. This young man 
is displaying marked skill and enterprise in 
the management of his father's old home- 
stead in Illiopolis Township. He has a large and 
valuable farm under his charge and is ably keep- 
ing it up to the same high standard that it had 
reached in his father's hands. Our subject is a 
native-liorn citizen of this county, his birth taking 
place in the home where he now lives in the month 
of February, 1864. He is the son of Edward and 
Bridget (Davis) Connor, natives of Ireland, who 
came to America fort}' years ago. 

The father of our subject after arriving in this 
country first found work in New York City. From 
there he went to Pittsburg, Pa., and for a time was 
engaged in the iron mines in that vicinity. He 
came to Sangamon County while it was still in the 
hands of the pioneers and bought a land warrant 
for eighty acres of land in Illiopolis Township, for 
which he paid about §1 an acre. It was in a wild 
condition and he actively entered upon the task of 
improving it, and not only did he develop it into a 
highl}' cultivated condition, but by skillful manage- 
ment be increased his estate until it now comprises 
a large body of land of some seven hundred acres. 
finely situated, finely tilled and rich in produce. 

Mr. Connor after thus greatly aiding in the up- 
building of this part of the county and the extension 
of its agriculture, retired from the cares and labors 
that beset his early life to enjoy the handsome income 
that is the fruit of his sagacity, foresight and judi- 
cious management of his affairs. He took up his 



see 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



abode in Niantic, Macon Count}-, where in the 
companionsliip of his aged wife he is living in ease 
an(l comfort. Of the seven children lioinlothem 
only our subject is living. A daughter, Elizabeth 
Mar}-, died October 10, 1890. She w.as the vvife 
of John Nelson, of Springfield, son of ex-Treasurer 
Nelson. One child was born of this union, John, 
who is four years old. 

The subject of this sketch was bred to a farmer's 
life and in the common schools obtained the pre- 
liminaries of his education. lie subsequently took 
a course at the Springfield Business College, where 
he received special instruction in business matters. 
He was thus well qualified to enter upon his career 
as a [iractical farmer, and on the retirement of his 
father from active business he entered upon the 
management of the home farm. He is conducting 
it with the same energy, industry and skill that 
characterize,! his father in his labors and is already 
regarded as a successful farmer. 

Mr. Connor was happily married May 29, 1890, 
to Miss Kate Stapleton, a native of Logan County. 
They have the old home surrounded by all that 
makes life desirable, and the kindly welcome of its 
hostess to its hospitalities an<l the genial courtesy 
of the host, make it an attractive resort to their 
numerous friends. Mr. Connor is highly esteemed 
as a generous, honest and upright citizen. As their 
families before them, our subject and his wife are 
ardent Catholics and straight Democrats. 



j^S^ i . >_' 



^^5^E0RGE L. HARNSBERGER who resides 
I'll ^— , on section 27, Cartwright Township, has 
^>^fj) represented that township on the Board of 
County Supervisors for ten years. He was born on 
the old homestead farm Julj' 13, 1850, and is a son 
of Henry M. Ilarnsberger, a native of Clark 
County, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Jacob 
Harnsberger, was born in Rockingham County, Va., 
and was descended from one of the early and illus- 
trious American families of German origin founded 
in this country during Colonial days. Henry M. 
Harnsberger emigrated from his native county, to 
Illinois when a lad of ten j'ears. The family set- 



tled in what is now Cartwright Township in 1833, 
and after he had attained to man's estate, he wedded 
Miss Melinda A. Harrison, daughter of Reuben and 
Barljara A. Harrison. Through six generations 
our subject traces his ancestry- to the founder of 
the Harrison family in America — a gentleman of 
English birth who settled in the Colony of Vir- 
ginia in the da^'s of its early histor}'. Before the Rev- 
olutionary War his descendants bad become ver}' 
numerous and the family was largely represented 
in the struggle for independence. Benjamin H. a 
brother of the great-grandfather of our subject, was 
a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and 
the members of the family were Benjamin, Will- 
iam Henry, George, Reuben and James Harrison. 
President William II. Harrison and our present 
executive, Hon. Benjamin Harrison, are members 
of this family. 

Henry M. Harnsberger and his wifeare still resi- 
dents of this count}', the husband being now sixty- 
eight years of age and his wife seventy years. 
Four children have been born unto them: John 
J. H., the eldest who resides in Missouri, is engaged 
in stock-raising, making a specialty of merino 
sheep and fine hogs. He married Miss Catherine 
Campbell and unto them have been born three chil- 
dren — Carrie M., Katie I. and Leonard J. S. ; 
ii manda C, the next younger is the wife of Julius 
Handback, a wholesale merchant of St. Paul, Minn.; 
Mary Anna Virginia is the wife of L. H. Washburn 
who is engaged in farming near Springfield, and 
unto thera has been born one child, Anna II. 

The early life of our subject passed uneventfully. 
After attending the common schools, at the age of 
eighteen he entered Jacksonville College and com- 
pleted his literary education by a scientific course 
of study in Lincoln. At the age of twenty-three, in 
1874, he entered the law department of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan and while a student in that 
institution was so fortunate as to attract the favor- 
able notice of Judge C'ooley whom he assisted in 
compiling several law books, including the cele- 
brated Cooley's Constitutional Limitations. Mr. 
Harnsberger now devotes the greater part of his 
time and attention to stock dealing and is widely 
known in that line of business, wliich be began 
when a mere boy upon his father's farm. More or 




I < 'K 



Man^ M^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



503 



less since that time he has engaged in shipping cat- 
tle and it is now his principal pursuit. Being a 
thorough judge of cattle, he displays considerable 
wisdom in his purchases and is able to sell at an ad- 
vantage. Me is not onl3' successful but by fair and 
honest dealing has won the confidence and good- 
will of all with whom he has come in contact and 
made himself popular in his business and social 
relations. 

In the present year, 1890, Mr. Ilarnsberger was 
united in marriage with Miss Addie Ilougliton of 
Petersburg, Menard County. Their iiome is the 
aliode of hospitality and in the social world they 
are held in high reganl. Mr. Harnsberger belongs 
to the Farmers Mutual Benefit Association of Rich- 
land and in political sentiment is a supporter of the 
Demofratiu party. As before stated, be has been a 
member of tiie County Board of Supervisors for 
ten years, representing Carlwriglit Township, aad 
is now Cliairman of the Board. His long-contin- 
ued service in that office plainly indicates his effi- 
ciency and the prompt and able manner in which 
he discharges the duties devolving upon him. 



■^^^^ ANIEL DIEHL is a veteran of the late 
war and well known as the old village 
^^!^' blacksmith at Salisbury, from which busi- 
ness he has retired. Mr. Dichl is now 
devoting himself to the cultivation of his farm. He 
owns forty and four-tenths acres of land on section 
33, Salisbury Township, has a half interest in thirty- 
nine acres of land and four lots on section 29, and 
owns besides three and one-half acres of land and 
twenty lots in the village. 

Henry C. Diehl, the father of our subject, was 
born in Pennsylvania in the month of February, 
1809. His father, Adulpli Dielil, was a native of 
Pliiladelphia, I'a.. while his grandfather, Nicholas 
Dielil, was a native of Germany. He came to 
America in Colonial times and settled in Philadel- 
pliia. A baker by Irade, he afterward opened the 
first baker)' that was ever operated at Reading, Pa., 
where the last years of his life were spent. He was 
a soldier in the Revolution. The "randfather of 



our subject was an hotel keeper and was the propri- 
etor of the Black Horse tavern near Philadelphia. 
He subsequently removed to Oley Valley in the 
same countj', where he farmed till his death at the 
age of fifty-five years. 

The father of our subject spent the first eight 
years of his life in Philadelphia and then lived on 
his father's farm till he grew to manhood. He 
became a farmer in Berks County. April 1, 1845, 
he left Pennsylvania for Ohio at the time of the 
Pittsburg fire and stoi)ped a while at Johnstown 
on the way. He finally arrived in Pickaway 
County with fifty cents in his pocket. He had a 
hard time finding employment, but subsequently 
engaged in farming till April, 1851, when he came 
to Illinois, arriving in this .State April 18, and, 
locating in Cartwright Township was engaged in 
agriculture there. In 1858 he bought a farm of 
forty acres and later bought eighty-nine acres of 
land on the Sangamon River in JNIenard County, 
where he resided till 1864. He then sold his prop- 
erty in that countj' and bought tA'enty acres of 
land in Gardner Township, which he cultivated till 
he retired from active work in 1883. He now 
resides with a daughter, Mrs. Hornbuckle, near 
Petersburg. He was in former times a Whig, but 
joined the Republican party on its formation and 
was a loyal Lincoln man. In Ohio he was connected 
with the United Brethren Church. Since coming 
to this State he has been a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. 

The mother of our subject was in her maiden 
days Hannah Lease, and was born in Berks County, 
Pa. Her father, John Lease, was also a native of 
the Keystone State, while his father was a German 
by birth, and a Revolutionary soldier. The grand- 
father of our subject was a day laborer and it was 
his rule to begin work early and to keep steadily 
at it as long as he could see, or till three stars were 
visible in the sky. He rounded out a useful life at 
the age of eighty-four years. The mother of our 
subject departed this life in the month of Decem- 
ber, 1883. at the age of seventy-eight years, she 
having been born in 1805. She and her husband 
were the parents of seven children, namely: John, 
a resident of Reading, Pa.; Catherine, Mrs. Berger, 
of Cowley County, Kan.; Daniel; Harrison, who 



504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOCJRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



died May 5, 1854; Charles, an hotel keeper in Louis- 
burg, Kan.: Cinly. a mechanic of Springfield; Mary, 
Mrs. Hornbuckle, of Menard County. The family 
was well represented in llie late war. John served 
nine months in a Pennsylv.ania regiment; Charles 
enlisted in 1862 in the One Hundred and Sixth Ill- 
inois Infantry and served till the close of the war ; 
Cinly enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Illinois Infan- 
try in August, 1861, afterwards veteranized and 
served until the war closed. 

Our subject was born within six miles of Read- 
ing, Berks County, Pa., October 5, 1834. He lived 
there till he was ten years old and gleaned his early 
education in the common schools. He accompanied 
his father by boat and rail to Pickaway County, 
crossing the mountains on a railroad. He worked 
on a farm there and attended school in a pioneer 
log schoolhouse. In 1851 he accompanied his par- 
ents to this place coming by boat to Beardstown. 
They traveled on the steamer "Chief Justice Mar- 
shall" from Portsmouth and then from the falls by 
the "Monongahela" to St. Louis, where they em- 
barked on the '-Avalanche" for Beardstown, and 
from there by wagon to near Pleasant Plains. 
After his arrival here he worked on a farm and 
one winter attended school. He had begun to 
work as a farm hand when he was nine years old, in 
Pennsylvania, receiving his board as a compensa- 
tion. He was thus employed in Cartwright Town- 
ship till March 3, 1854. He was then apprenticed 
to a blacksmith in Springfield, and after June of 
that year was in Pleasant Plains till 1856, wiien 
lie went to Tallula and worked there four months. 
In 1858 he went to Springfield to join the Bissell 
Guards to go on the expedition to Utah, but was 
loo late. In 1859 he went to Menard County and 
farmed for two years and then resumed his trade 
at Pleasant Plains. 

In October, 1861, our subject enlisted in the 
First Battalion Yates Sharpshooters, afterwards 
Company C, Sixty-fourth Illinois Regiment. 
He was mustered into the service at Camp Butler 
as Corporal and proceeded with his company to 
(^uincy, and thence to New Madrid where he took 
part in a battle and next engaged In the battle at 
Island No. 10. Afterward his company and an- 
other one brought three thousand prisoners to 



Camp Butler. Our subject's regiment was then 
sent to Pittsburg and afterward took part in the 
siege of Corinth and had a number of small skir- 
mishes with the enem}'. He was at luka with Rose- 
crans and fought under that General in the battle 
of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862. His regiment 
remained there in camp till 1863, doing guard duty 
and protected Sherman's rear from the rebels at 
Pulaski, Tenn. 

In January, 1864, Mr. Diehl veteranized after a 
furlough of thirty days and his regiment was re- 
organized at Ottawa; his company having been 
reduced to sixteen men, it being then recruited to 
seventy-three men. He and his comrades were 
dispatched to Decatur, Ala., to join Sherman and 
they did some gallant fighting at the battles of 
Resaca, Ringgold, Dallas, Buzzard's Roost, Peach 
Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. In 
September, 1863, Mr. Diehl was detached as regi- 
mental blacksmith and served in that capacity till 
after the foil of Atlanta, and was then transferred 
to the supply train of the first division of the 
Seventeenth Army Corps and accompanied Sher- 
man on his famous march to the sea. He was 
transferred to the first brigade of the first division 
of the Seventeenth Army Cor|)s under Blair and 
accompanied it to Beaufort. He took part at the 
first fight at Orangeburg and for four da3S and 
four nights was in water three or four feet deep. 
He fought at Goldsboro, and after the surrender of 
Lee and Johnston went to Washington and took 
part in the Grand Review. He was mustered out 
at Louisville July 11, 1865, and was discharged in 
Chicago. 

After his return from the South our subject 
worked at his trade in Pleasant Plains until the fall 
of 1866. In September of that year he entered 
the I'nitcd States mail service, as his c3-es obliged 
him to abandon his calling, and conveyed the mail 
from Virginia to Springfield three times a week for 
a year. In 1867 he went to Vermont, Fulton 
County, and engaged in buying and shipping apples 
to New Orleans. He was unfortunate in that 
enterprise and after losing all that he had invested, 
went to Topeka, Mason County, 111., and worked as 
a blacksmith there. September 11, 1868, he went 
to Cross Plains and, putting up a blacksmith shop, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



605 



carried on his calling tliere till March 15, 1874. 
On that (late he came to Salisbury Township, and 
liii3'ing forty acres of land engaged in farming 
here till November 15, 1884, when he removed to 
the village of Salisbury. He bought the smithy 
of J. K. McJMurph^' and was engaged in black- 
smithing there till Jul}-, 1889. In that month he 
rented his shop to his son-in-law, Fred Cutler, and 
has since lived retired from his trade, though he 
superintends the cultivation of his farm. He has a 
pleasant residence in town and is in comfortable 
circumstances. He has borne au honored part in 
public life and is at present serving as Constable. 
In April 1880, he was elected as Commissioner of 
Highways, for three years was Clerk of the Board 
of Commissioners and has been a member of the 
|)etit juries. He is independent in politics and 
religion. Socially, he is a member of the Grand 
Army Post at Springfield and of the Farmers' 
Mutual Benefit Association in this village. 

Mr. Diehl was married in Springfield June 22, 
1869, to Miss Eliza J. Stone, a native of Gardner 
Township and a daughter of Berry Stone, of Ken- 
lucky. Of this marriage five children have been 
born, as follows: Oraette, who married F. Cutler, 
t)f Salisbury and has one child, Robert; John H. ; 
Allie D.; Kate L. ; Viola M., the latter four of vvhom 
are at home with their parents. Mrs. Diehl is a 
most estimable woman and a valued member of the 
Christian Church of Salisbury. In connection with 
this biographical review the reader will notice a 
lithogra[)hic portrait of IMr. Diehl on another 
page. 

\Y| F. SMITH, of the firm of Smith & Hart, 
general merchants at Auburn, is not only 
the leading business man of tliis place but 
i^^/J is one of the most prominent stockmen and 
horse-breeders in this part of the county'. He is a 
."on of Tueodore Smith, who was born in Luxem- 
burg, Germany, and was reared on a farm in the 
l.md of his nativity. According to the laws of 
(iermanj' he was obliged to serve a certain length 
of time in the German Army and he was a soldier 
for some years, lie married, and afterward en- 



gaged in farming, owning a good farm at Alt- 
wies, whore he carried on general farming and 
stock-raising. In 1885 death closed his honorable 
career at the venerable age of eighty-four years. 
He was a stanch member of the Catholic Church. 
The maiden name of his wife was Anna Miller, and 
she was born in Germany in 1800. She is still lir- 
ing in her old home where so many years of her 
life have been passed, and has now attained the ven- 
erable age of ninetj' years. Five children were 
born of her marriage: Eva, Mrs. Kuhn, who resides 
in Germany; John N., a farmer in Bergen, Ger- 
many; Elizabeth, Mrs. Hemmer, of Germany; 
Jacob, who lives in Lanesville, Iowa, and John F. 

The subject of this biographical review was born 
April 28, 1841, in Luxemburg, Germany, and 
there passed his early years on his father's farm. 
He received excellent school advantages and at the 
age of fourteen left the Fatherland and came to this 
country with friends. The^' sailed from Havre in 
the good ship ''Keystone" in the spring of 1856 
and after a voyage of twenty-eight days landed in 
New York. Our subject made his way from that 
city to Chicago where he remained one year and 
worked at various employments. He then visited 
Missouri and Wisconsin and in 1858 came to 
Springfield. Here he engaged at farming for a while 
but he soon entered the mercantile world as a clerk, 
in which capacity he acted two years. He was 
very ambitious to extend his education and in 
1860 he attended the Harmon School in Ball 
Township, and when not in school worked on a 
farm. In 1864 he entered the Rutledge & David- 
son Commercial College, from which he was grad- 
uated after pursuing a fine course of study that 
amply fitted him for business. After leaving col- 
lege he became a book-keeper in the bank at Car- 
bondale, under J. D. Freeman, which position ho 
occupied two years and a half. 

In 1868 our subject entered upon an independ- 
ent business career, as he then started a general 
merchandise store in Pawnee. He was successfully 
engaged there until 1876, when he disposed of his 
store and stock and in May, 1876, crossed the water 
to pay a visit to his old home. He sailed in the 
steamer "Wieland." from New York to Cherbourg, 
France and thence made his way to the scenes of 



506 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his youth. He spent the summer there very pleas- 
antly .among his old friends .and in the f.all returned 
to S.angamon County, crossing the Atlantic on the 
steamer "Swuiva" to New York. After he came 
back here Mr. .Smith bought a farm of two hundred 
acres one mile from Pawnee, and the ensuing three 
years was busily eng-aged in its cultivation. He was 
also activel}' engaged in the general merchandising 
business, as in the fall of that year (1876), he 
opened a store in Auburn. He rented his farm 
and located in town, and devoted himself very 
assiduously to building up a good business. He 
carries by far the largest assortment of goods of 
any merchant in Auburn and since he started has 
bad to enlarge his stock. He was at first in part- 
nership with Mr. Able, then with Mr. Hamlin and 
now with Mr. Hart, under the firm name of Smith 
& Hart. 

In 1889 Mr. Smith sold his original farm and 
bought his present homestead of one hundred and 
twenty-four acres adjoining the cit^' of Auburn. It 
is one of the best appointed and best kept places in 
the vicinity and is supplied with valuable improve- 
ments, including a commodious and well-fitted res- 
idence. The farm is admirabl3' adapted to 
stock-raising purposes and since 1888 our subject 
has paid great attention to breeding horses. He has 
here the nucleus of what bids fair to be one of 
the finest studs in thecounly. In 1888 he imported 
the following horses : Malabar, a black Percheron, 
four years old, weight 1,750; Polka, a silver-gr.ay 
Percheron mare, four years old, weight 1,800; 
Coquette, a dapple-gray Percheron mare, one of the 
finest ever brought to this country, weight 1,925; 
Selina, an iron-gr.ay that weighs 1,600; Sidonia, a 
dark gray ; and Bartolo, an iron-gray, four years 
old, weight 1,950 and was imported by Ellwood. 
All of these horses are of the finest Percheron 
stock. 

Mr. Smith and Miss Mary E. .Jarrard were united 
in marriage in 1870. Mrs. Smith is a native of 
Indiana and a daughter of Joshua M. Jarrard. 
Her father was a native of New Jerse}' and an early 
settler of Indiana. He came from the latter State 
to Sangamon County in 1855, and has since been 
actively engaged in f.arming. He is now with our 
subject. Mrs. Smith's mother was Pollixinia 



(Kindred) Jarrard and was a native of Kentucky. 
She is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have 
four children: Pearl, who is a student of the 
Bloomington \Vesle3ran University, a member of the 
cl.ass of '93; Lelia, Fi'ankie, and Theo, who are at 
home. 

Mr. Smith is a man of brain and action, whose 
enterprise is potent in extending the mercantile 
and the stock-raising interests not only of Auburn 
but of the county. He possesses decision of char- 
acter and ten.acity of purpose, and has other valua- 
ble traits that have made him successful in business 
and render him a v.aluable civic official. He is 
connected with the Masonic fraternity of Auburn 
and with the Royal Arch Masons, also with the 
Knights Templars, of Springfield, and is a member 
of Elmwood Commandcry No. 6. In politics he is 
a Republican. His wife belongs to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and is generous in the support of 
its every good work. 

^_^ OWARD M. MOORE is successfully pur- 
^^ suing agriculture on his father's old home- 
stead on section 32, in Auburn Township, 
where he has lived since his boyhood. He 
is a son of John C. Moore, a former well-known 
resident of this township. The father of our sub- 
ject was a native of New Jersey and was there 
married to Catherine Compton, who was also born 
in that State. They came to Jersey County, 111., 
in 185G, and in 1857 settled in Sangamon County. 
Mr. Moore purchased land on section 32, Auburn 
Township, and in the years of bus}' toil that fol- 
lowed he develojjed it into a good farm. He ac- 
quired a competency and in the spring of 1887 
gave up agricultural pursuits and retired with his 
wife to Virden, 111., where they are living in a 
l)leasant home surrounded with the comforts which 
are the fruits of their early labors. They have but 
one child, a son, who is the subject of this sketch. 
Howard Moore was born in New Jersey Novem- 
ber 23, 1848. He was only eight years of age 
when he accompanied his parents to this State 
and since 1857 has been a resident of this county. 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



507 



He grew up within its limits, receiving a good 
education in its jiublic schools and when he ar- 
rived at years of discretion and it came time for 
him to select a calling in life he chose that of a 
farmer as he was already familiar with its work and 
enjoyed it. Since his father retired to Virden our 
sul)ject has rented the old homestead which com- 
prises one hundred and twenty .acres of fine farm- 
ing land that is in good order both as regards its 
cultivation and improvement, and Mr. Moore is 
managing it to the best advantage and with fine 
results. 

Mr. Moore has been exceedingly blessed in his 
domestic relations, as he has in his wife, to whom 
he was wedded August 19, 1874, a helpmate and a 
companion who is devoted to his interests and to 
the care of her household. Mrs. Moore was form- 
erly Mary Miller, and is a daughter of the late John 
and Margaret (Bryant) Miller, natives respectively 
of Pennsylvania and Tennessee. They came to 
Sangamon County in 1.S54, and cast their lots with 
the pioneers of Auburn Township, wliere the father 
died in August, 1885. Mrs. Moore is the third in 
a family of nine children and was born in Morgan 
County, December 31, 1850. She is a sincere 
Christian and a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. Her marriage with our subject has 
been productive to them of two children, Herbert 
C. and Leslie L. R. Mr. Moore is a gentleman of 
fine character, whose life is guided by Christian 
principles, and he is a faithful member of the Bap- 
tist Church. Politically he is a strong advocate of 
the Republican party. 



AMUEL A. BULLARD, of Springfield, is 
one of llie leading architects of this State, 
and besides doing an extensive business 
here is associated with his brother, George 
who is now in Tacoma, Wash., where he has 
charge of their office and manages their affairs in 
that part of the country under the firm name of 
Bullard & Bullard. Our subject is a native of this 
county and was born March 25, 1853, to Wesley 
and Sarah (Foster) Bullard, natives respectively of 




W 



Kentucky and Indiana. The Bullards went origi- 
nally from Virginia to Kentucky, and the father of 
our subject was born in Shelbyville, that State. 
The family was of French origin as the name indi- 
cates, and had lived in Virginia for several gener- 
ations. Wesley Bullard came to Illinois in 1835, 
and located in the eastern part of the county, of 
which he thus became an early pioneer. He entered 
land from the Government, and still has his old 
patent with Andrew Jackson's signature attached. 
The mother of our subject, although a native of 
Illinois, was of Kentucky parentage. She died in 
18G1. Iler marriage had been blessed with eight 
children. Mr. Bullard married a second time, 
taking as his wife Mrs. Holtzman, whose maiden 
name was Kidd, and who was a native of Ohio. 
She bore him two children. 

Samuel A. Bullard, of whom these lines arc 
written, was the fifth child in order of birth. Seven 
of the family are living and are settled in various 
parts of the country from Washington to Arkansas 
and Dakota. Mr. Bullard passed his boyhood days 
in this county on his father's farm and in the public 
sciiools laid the foundation for a liberal education. 
He became a student at the University of Illinois at 
Champaign, where he pursued a thorough course 
of study and was graduated in the class of 1878 
with high honors in architecture, taking the degree 
of Bachelor of Science. The next year after leav- 
ing college he located as an architect at Spring- 
field and has ever since resided in tiiis city. This 
municipality is adorned witli many fine specimens 
of his skill, as he designed the Young Men's 
Christian Association building, Second Methodist 
Episcopal Church, Christ Church, and many of 
the handsome residences in the city which compare 
favorabl}' in architecture with the fine residences 
and buildings of other large cities and exhibit 
his taste in architecture and skill in combination. 
From early boyhood he displayed a natural talent 
for this art and when quite young drew and worked 
with tools with much skill and precision. 

Besides carrying on his business here our subject 
is a partner with his brother, as before mentioned, 
and they do a large business, not only in Washing- 
ton, but design public buildings and private resi- 
dences for all parts of the country. Mr. Bullard 



508 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



is a progressive and cnligiitened citizen, and is 
greatly interested in every movement that will in 
any way benefit the city or county. He is promi- 
nent in educational matters and in 1888 wns 
elected Trustee of the Illinois University. He is a 
member of the Modern Woodmen of America and 
religiously- is connected with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. Politically he is a Republican. 

To the lady who presides over his charming 
home and assists him in extending its hospitalities 
to their numerous friends our subject was married 
April 19, 1882. Mrs. BuUard was formerly Elsie 
ElUiott, and was a daughter of John B. Elliott, of 
Tonica, La Salle Count}', her native place. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ballard's pleasant household circle is com- 
pleted by their four children — Nellie, Edwin 
Elliott, Clark Wesley and Elsie. 




IMON M. ROGERS is the present Clerk 
of Sangamon County. He was formerly 
closely connected with the educational in- 
terests of this part of the State, but for 
the past few years he has been an important figure 
in public life, holding responsible positions both 
under the federal and the local Government. He 
was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Count}-, Ohio, 
August 20, 1850, and is a son of Uriah and Hettie 
(Myers) Rogers. The father brought his family 
to Sangamon County in the fall of 1854 and lo- 
cated near Mechanicsburg, where he still lives. He 
is a farmer by occupation and has aided in the up- 
building of the locality where he settled. Of the 
ten children born to him and his wife nine are liv- 
ing, the eldest daughter dying in infancy. All are 
residents of this county and all are actively engaged 
in agricultural pursuits except our subject and 
another son, L. P., who is a physician at Buffalo. 

The early years of the life of our subject were 
passed on a farm, he remaining an inmate of the 
parental home until he was twenty-one years old. 
He was a boy of bright mind and was a quick 
scholar, and at the early age of fourteen years was 
fitted for teaching school. He engaged in that 
profession in adjoining districts in this county, and 



during the last five years that he taught wps Prin- 
cipal of the Mechanicsburg schools, which pro- 
gressed rapidly under his abler management. 

In 1884 Mr. Rogers entered the revenue service 
as Deputy Collector for the Eighth District. A 
year and a half later he gave up that position to 
accept the office of Chief Clerk to the County 
Treasurer. He acted in that capacity two and 
one-half years, and in April, 1889, was elected 
County Clerk of Sangamon County. He is prompt 
in the discharge of his duties, and the aSairs of his 
oOice are always carried on in a systematic and 
orderly fashion, and not only his constituents but 
members of the opposing party are very well satis- 
fied with his course in this responsible office. So- 
cially, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of 
America, Knights of Pythias and the F. M. C. 
Politically he is a Democrat of the truest type. He 
is a man of marked intelligence, is i)leasing and 
obliging in his intercourse with others, and has 
many personal attiibutes that have attracted to him 
warm friends. 

Mr. Rogers resides at No. 1202 South Fourth 
Street, SpringfieM, where coziness and comfort are 
combined with genuine hospitality. The pleasant 
home circle of our subject and his wife, formerly 
Miss .Jennie A. Gore, of Mechanicsburg, is com- 
pleted by their two children, Byron D. and Erma G. 



*-^=<fc^-i — •; 



J..^^ 



\1 V 



^^^ N. LITTLE & SONS are carrying on an 

^^^ extensive livery business in SpringfieM, 

|1|/\h) said business having been established here 

many years ago by Samuel N. Little, who 

was formerly a well known citizen of this city and 

one of the pioneers of the county. 

The Littles came from Ileming County, Ky., to 
St. Clair County in this State in 1819. The same 
year Samuel, in company with four others, came 
to Sangamon County and raised a crop on the rich 
virgin soil. In the fall Samuel returned for his 
family, brought them here and located in what is 
now known as the Leland farm. He had only a 
"squatter's" right at first, but he entered the land as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



509 



soon as it came into market. He improved il into 
a fine farm and rounded out here a life full of years. 
Nine children were born to him and his worthy 
wife, all now dece.ased. 

Samuel N. was born in Fleming County, Ky., in 
the month of February, 1811, and was but a small 
child when his parents brought him to Illinois. 
He was the last survivor of the family, dying J\ine 
19, 1885. He was reared in this county amid its 
pioneer scenes and lived to witness its wonderful 
development and the great change wrought by the 
hand of man within his remembrance. From 1852 
till the time of his death he was engaged in the 
livery business which he carried on very prolitablv. 
He owned the o\d homestead that his father had 
improved from the wilderness till he disposed of 
it in 1881. 

Mr. Little was married in early manhood to 
p;iiza M. Morgan, January 29, 1843, being the date 
of their wedding. Mrs. Little's parents were Daniel 
and Mary S. (Woods) Morgan, who were also na- 
tives of Fleming County, Ky. Three of the six 
children born to our subject are now living: Ger- 
shom J. ; Sandford H., who is in the livery business, 
and is unmarried; and Harriet C, wife of J. W. 
Crampton, proprietor of the Leland stable at Spring- 
field. There is also an adopted daughter, Fannie Y., 
now the wife of B. H. Smith, of this city. The 
deceased children are William IL, who was born 
March 16, 1845, and was killed in a railroad col- 
lision at Lamont on the Chicago & Alton Rail Road 
August 16, 1873, while on his return from Chicago, 
where he had been to purchase goods ; Mary E., who 
died in childhood; Minerva C. who died in infancy. 

Gershom J. Little received the advantages 
of a very fine education in his 3'outh. He 
turned his attention to the study of medicine and 
was graduated from Rush Medical College at Chi- 
cago. He pursued his j^rofession for a while at 
Edinburg till circumstances over which he had no 
control compelled him to abandon practice and 
necessitated his being at home, so that he entered 
the livery' business in which his father was engaged 
and has carried it on ever since. As before re- 
marked this is a long established business and is 
well conducted. The firm name still continues 
Little & Sous. Mr. Little has a fine well equipped 



stable and has the patronage of the best people] in 
the city. 

Mr. Little has been twice married. He first 
entered the matrimonial state with Nellie Crafton, 
January 2, 1867. Their wedded life was of brief 
duration as scarce a year had passed before the 
young wife died, her death occurring January 14, 
1868. He was a second time married October 27, 
1875, Miss Margaret Conner becoming his wife. 
Tliey have had two children, one of whom died in 
infancy and the other, Georgia F., is a chibl of 
seven years. 

The Littles have been stanch supporters of the 
loyal Republican [)arty since its formation and Ger- 
shom still gives it his heartfelt allegiance, and is one 
of our most patriotic and law abiding citizens. His 
maternal grandfather, Daniel Morgan, was a loyal 
Republican. He fought under Gen. Jackson in the 
War of 1812, and subsequently was under (5en. 
Harrison. His last vote was cast in his eighty- 
second year and was in favor of Abraham Lincoln, 
of whom he was a great friend. He was so anxious 
to cast his ballot for that illustrious man that though 
old and feeble he was taken on a feather bed in a 
spring wagon with an umbrella held over him to 
the polls where for the last time he exercised his 
privileges as a free-born citizen. He died at tlie 
home of the Littles, September 6, 1866 and was a 
firm patriot to the last. Mrs. Morgan lived to the 
venerable age of ninety 3'ears and seven montl s, 
retaining all her faculties to the last and finally her 
long life was brought to a close January 20, 1878 



4-+i'^^='iH^ 



ts^^'RANK D. BUERKETT,ihe owner of three 

PM hundred and forty acres of land situated on 
sections 5, 6 and 7, Gardner Township, and 
thirty-one acres in Salisbury Township, has met 
with excellent success in his farming operations. 
He has made his home in the county only since 
1871, but he is now owner of one of its best farms 
and by his fair dealing and upright life has made 
many friends. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., 
February 18, 1852, and is the fifth in order of birth 
iuafamilj'of seven children. His father, Louis 



510 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Buerkett, was born in Germanj, thirty miles below 
Straussburg anrl was a railroad employe in that 
country. In 1847 hecrosscl tiie Atlantic to Amer- 
ica and two years later, having provided a home, 
sent for his family to join hira. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Mary Agatha (Goodman), was 
born in Germany, and died in 18-54 only five years 
after coming to this country. Mr. Bnerkett was 
employed for a time in a glass factory of Pittsburg 
and then engaged in tlie dairy business. In 1853, 
he removed to Randolph County, 111., wiiere he 
purchased forty acres of limber land, and, clearing 
it of the brush and trees, developed a farm which 
he operated until 1877, when he sold out. His 
next place of residence was in Perry County, 111., 
where he purchased an eighty-acre farm operating 
that land until 1884, when he came to Sangamon 
County to make his home with our subject. He is 
now seventy years of age. Seven children were 
born unto Mr. and Mrs. Buerkett: Mrs. Angelina 
Folk who died in Perry County ; Mrs. Mary Shir- 
ley of Pinckneyville; Mrs. Caroline Hushmann of 
Monroe County, 111.; Louis, a mechanic employed 
on the railroad; F. D. of this sketch; John of 
Pinckneyville, 111.; and Joseph, deceased. 

In the State of his nativity, Frank Buerkett w.ts 
reared to manhood. He was made to walk three 
miles to school and as his services vvere needed on 
the farm his education was necessarily limited. 
When a mere lad he began driving oxen and at an 
early age he had mastered all the details of farm 
life. A favorite amusement of his youthful days 
was hunting and he became quite an expert with 
the rifle. At a shooting matcli he once brought 
down seven turkeys out of eight, which won him 
the admiration of his comrades and probably ex- 
cited some envious feelings. Like a dutiful son, 
he assisted his father until he had attained his 
majority when he started out in life for himself. He 
came to this county in 1870, but after a short stay 
returned home, where he remained until the autumn 
of 1871 when we again find him in Sangamon 
County, working as a farm hand in Gardner Town- 
ship. 

On the 18th of December of the same year, Mr. 
Buerkett was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca 
Benzenhofer, a native of Wheeling, W. Va., who 



when a child of ten summers came with her par- 
ents to this count}'. Her father, Joiin George Ben- 
zenhofer, was born in Stuttgart, German}', and on 
emigrating to this country located in Wheeling, AV. 
Va., where he worked out by the year, receiving 
the munificent sum of $75 as a compensation for 
his services. On iiis removal to Illinois in 1857 he 
purchased eighty acres of land in Gardner Town- 
ship, this county and embarked in farming. So 
successful was he in his agricultural pursuits that 
he was enabled to add to his landed possessions 
until he was owner of seven hundred acres. His 
death occurred in 1886. The mother was born in 
Germany and is now deceased. Her maiden name 
was Ropt. Mrs. Bucrkett's father and mother were 
the parents of seven children as follows: Christena 
deceased, born in Germany; Fredrica, George, 
Christopher, Rebecca, Henry and Mary Magdaline; 
all are deceased except George, Fredrica and Mrs. 
Buerkett. Tlie grandparents moved to Asia in 1847. 

Mr. and Mrs. Buerkett began their domestic life 
upon one hundred and forty acres of her fatlier's 
land, which he operated for about ten j'cars. The 
only rental which he paid was the taxes and this 
enabled him to gain a good start in life. In 1884, 
he purchased his present farm of one hundred and 
thirty acres and his wife has in her own name two 
hundred and ten acres of land. The entire amo\mt 
is under fence, the rich soil has been well cultivated 
and many improvements have been added, greatly 
enhancing the value of the farm. His principal 
products are wheat and corn and he devotes con- 
siderable attention to the raising of hogs and cattle, 
shipping usually about two carloads of cattle and 
one of hogs. He also h.as fourteen draft horses 
upon his farm. A fine bearing orchard is one 
of its many improvements and a good barn and 
substantial brick dwelling stand as monuments to 
his enterprise. 

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Buerkett ten chil- 
dren have been born as follows: Frank II., born 
December 8, 1873; John L., January 23, 1875 ; Cas- 
per W., October 5, 1877; Charles Edward, Septem- 
ber 5, 1878; Mary, December 2, 1880; Rebecca F., 
September 2, 1882; Dora, Marck 17, 1884; Rosanna 
E., November 25, 1885; Noah F., December 11, 
1887, and Anthony M., October 11, 1889. The 









6<r 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



513 



famil3' circle j'et remains unbroken and the cliildrcn 
are all under the parental roof. As they have 
attained a suflicient age they have been provided 
with such educational advantages as fit them for 
tlie practical duties of life and tiie younger cliildren 
will receive similar opportunities. Mr. BuerUett is 
a member of the C'atiiolio Churcii of Springfield, 
and his wife liolds membership in the Lutheran 
Church. He has served as School Director of his 
district and for tliree years was Commissioner of 
Highways. Socially-, he is a member of the Farm- 
ers' Mutual Benefit Association of Salisbury and in 
political sentiment is a stanch adherent of Demo- 
cratic princii)les. 



-■gTfaL- 




1/_, ON. CHARLES KERR. M. D. It is a 

pleasure to present to the pultlic tlirough 
the medium of the Ai.bu.m a brief review of 
\K^) the life of Dr. Kerr and his portrait, wliicli 
perpetuates for coming generations the features of 
an lionored and influential citizen of Springfield. 
He belongs to that class of vride-awake, energetic 
men who achieve success for themselves and add to 
the reputation of the city in which they reside. As 
a ])hysician and surgeon he is well known, h.aving 
devoted more than thirty j-ears to the practice of 
his chosen profession in Sangamon County'. As a 
legislator he labored faithfully in the interests of 
the people vyliom he represented, and as one who 
offered his life for the preservation of the Union, 
he is an ardent patriot, as he was a brave soldier. 

The Doctor was born in Ireland, of Scotch par- 
entage, May 17, 1837, and when still a child, ac- 
companied his parents to the United States, they 
settling in Morgan Count}', this State, about nine 
miles east of Jacksonville. The father, John Kerr, 
was a farmer by occupation and was an industrious, 
haul working man, who made warm friends wher- 
ever he went. Our subject received an ordinary 
common-school education and while yet quite young 
commenced to read medicine, and in the meantime 
engaged in teaching school. He attended Rush 
Medical College, Chicago, from which he was 



graduated in 1865, at a time when the nation was 
plunged in the midst of an unhappy war. 

Prior to graduating Dr. Kerr was First Assistant 
Surgeon of the Fifty-ninth Regiment, and after 
leaving college he joined that regiment, serving 
faithfully until December, I8G5, when he was mus- 
tered out of service. While at the front he was 
conspicuous for braver}' and never at any time 
tried to shirk the duties which beset the pathway 
of every true soldier. When peace was restored 
the Doctor was honorably discharged and returning 
to the pursuits of civic life, entered ujjon the prac- 
tice of his profession in Pawnee, Sangamon County, 
where he remained until 1884, gaining a large and 
lucrative practice and a reputation as a reliable 
and well-informed physician. In fact, he became 
so popular among the citizens that he was selected 
as the one most fitted to represent the people in the 
Legislature, and was the Representative of the Cap- 
ital District to the Thirty-fourth General Assembly. 
He aided in making the memorable fight for Gen. 
John A. Logan, which lasted four months, from 
January 19 until May 19, and was also a member 
of seveial important committees. 

After the adjournment of the Legislature Dr. 
Kerr commenced the practice of medicine in Spring- 
field, in June. 1885, and here he has since remained 
a popular citizen, and a trusted physician. He 
owns one of the finest farms in the neigliljorhood 
of Springfield, and formerly devoted much atten- 
tion to the raising of blooded cattle and horses, 
but at present the demands of his profession arc 
such as to exclude other business. As a member 
of the Republican party he has always worked 
faithfull}' in behalf of his political convictions and 
has always taken great interest in party principles.- 

In 1888 he was a candidate for Congress, repre- 
senting the Republican party, and succeeded in 
cutting down the majority of the Hon. William 
Springer to about two thousand votes. Springer's 
majority in the district being from four thousand 
to five thousand. Sociall}' he is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, Knights of Maccabees, Modern 
Woodmen of America, and Grand Army of the 
Republic. 

Dr. Kerr has been three times married. He was 
united in marriage with Miss Eliza Sanders, of 



514 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



PawneeTownship, this county, in 1860, and of their 
union two children, Edward E. and Annie, were 
born.^The latter is deceased; Edward is a physi- 
cian at Chattanooga, Tenn. He s;raduated from 
the Chicago Medical College in 1887 and after one 
year in Mercy Hospital as Interne, went to Euiope 
and took lectures at Trinity College, and a clin- 
ical course at the Rotunda Lying-in-Hospital, 
Dublin, Ireland, being thoroughly prepared to fol- 
low his profession with credit to himself and to 
the honored name he bears. The second marriage 
of the Doctor occurred in 1866 the lady of his 
choice being Miss Sarah McMurry and three chil- 
dren were horn to them, namely: Charles, Mabel 
and Maude. Charles is a pharmacist, while Maliel 
and Maude are still at home. The present wife of 
the Doctor, who is a most estimable lady, was 
known in maidenhood as Mary Troxell, and was 
first married to a Mr. North. She is held in high 
regard by a large circle of acquaintances and is a 
fitting companion for her talented husband. 



<* IVILLIAM STITT, a practical and progress- 
\r\j// '^® farmer of Cartwright Township, re- 
^^ siding on section 29, is a native of Ohio. 
He was born near Lebanon, in Warren County, 
August li!, 1820, and is a son of Isaac and Eliza- 
beth (Phillips) Stitt. His father was born in New 
York of Scotch-Irish parents, and his mother's 
family was of German origin. Her father served 
in the Revolutionary War, and she was a native of 
the Empire State. Isaac Stitt was a sub-eoutractor 
on tlie Miami Canal and died while engaged in 
that work, which prevented him from carrying out 
his plan of locating in Indiana, whither he had ex- 
pected to remove the next year. By some trickery 
the sub-conlractors on the canal were defrauded of 
their earnings and this left the mother in very lim- 
ited circumstances with nine children depending 
upon her for support. She was a noble woman and 
faithfull}' performed the duties thus devolving upon 
her. By her untiring industry and vigilance she 
suceeeded in keeping her family together and sup- 
plying their wants until they were able to care for 



themselves. She died at the advanced age of ninety 
years, nine months and ten days, loved and 
respected by all who knew her. The children of 
her family are Isaac, Mary, Annie, Amj% George, 
Hannah, David, William and Elizabeth. 

William Stitt, whose name heads this notice, was 
but four years of age when bis father died and he 
can remember seeing him only a few times, the last 
time when he was in the cofHn ready to be taken to 
his last resting place. The advantages of his youth 
wore necessarily limited. He attended the subscrip- 
tion schools of Ohio for about three months in the 
year and tlie remainder of the time aided in the 
farm work. Possessing considerable mechanical 
genius he picked up the trade of carpentering 
which he followed for a lime in his native State. 
At the age of eighteen years he left the parental 
roof and bidding good-by to his mother started West 
to seek his fortune upon the broad prairies. On 
the 4th of April, 1838, he landed at Richland 
Creek and the rock upon which he first sat himself 
down to rest after reaching this |)lace has been 
transferred to his own door-yard. He had made his 
way by steamer to Beardstown, but walked across 
the country to Sangamon County, which was des- 
tined to be closely connected with history in after 
life. Great was tiie difference in the scene which 
now spread out before him and that of his Ohio 
home. The unbroken prairies were covered with 
grass as high as a man's head and waving to and 
fro in the wind had the appearance of a billowy sea. 
The fires which often broke out on them formed 
grand illuminations, but accompanying these were 
the thought of the loss of property and often life 
occasioned thereby. Mr. Stitt secured work as a 
farm hand and labored in that capacity for a year 
and a half, but was then taken with chills and 
returned to Ohio, arriving on Christmas eve of 
1839. 

In Sangamon County Mr. Stitt was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Hardin, daughter of Asa and Eliz- 
abeth (Taylor) Hardin, who were natives of Vir- 
ginia and Kentucky respectively. They came to 
Illinois in 1835. Their family numbered thirteen 
children, the tenth in order of birth being Mrs. Stitt, 
who was born in Kentucky and came to Illinois in 
her girlhood. Their union has been blessed with five 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



515 



children: Helen A., the eldest, is at home: William 
W., who resides on a farm in Cartwright Township, 
married Miss Julia Hurt, by whom he has five chil- 
dren — Edna, Edith B., William B., Marion and Ella; 
Laura A., the next younger, is the wife of John G. 
Purvines, a farmer of Cartwright Township, hy 
whom she h.as three children — Buff, Lloyd and 
Mark; Edward died in childhood, and Edith B. is 
at home. 

Mr. Stitt operates two hundred and eighty- eight 
acres of land and also owns fourteen acres of tim- 
ber land, his farms lying in Cartwright and 
Island Grove Townships. In addition to general 
farming he pays considerable attention to the rais- 
ing of stock, breeding Jersey cattle and Poland- 
China hogs of high grades. His business interests 
are extensive and he has met with success in his 
undertakings, yet he has found time for other inter- 
ests. For thirty years he has been connected with 
the Christian Church and assisted in the erection of 
the houses of worship in Berlin and Ple.asant Plains. 
He has served as Trustee, was Elder fifteen years 
and on resigning that office was elected Deacon. 
In political sentiment for many years he was a Dem- 
ocrat, but now votes for the principle and the man 
rather than the part}'. He is a strong advocate of 
Prohibition, is in sympathy with the labor move- 
ment and is a member of the Farmers Alliance. 
Charitable, benevolent and sympathetic by nature 
he is ever ready to extend a helping hand to the 
poor and needy and by an upright and consistent 
Christian life has won the love and confidence of 
the community. 

11^ ON. DEWITT WICKLIFFE SMITH, Pres- 
) ident of the Illinois National Bank, in 
Springfield, is one of the most prominent 
0] financiers in the city. He has been so in- 
strumental in securing the present laws for the jiro- 
tection of the live-stock interests of the United 
States that he is deserving of the especial gratitude 
of all who are in any way, either as dealers or con- 
sumers, interested in cattle. This is not the only 
way in which he has advanced the interests of his 



fellow-men. but in this his name has been more 
prominently lirought before the people than in any 
oiher connection. 

Mr. Smith is still a comparatively young man, 
having been born December 13, 1844, in what is 
now Cartwright Township, this county. His par- 
ents, Joseph and Sally (Taylor) Smith, came to 
this county in 1835. The former was born in Lou- 
doun County, Va., and when a child accompanied 
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Temple Smith, to Ken- 
tucky. When he had grown to maturity he engaged 
in mercantile pursuits in Frankfort, but made his 
home on a farm a short distance from the city. 
After his removal hither he carried on business in 
Springfield and operated a farm on Richland Creek. 
A few years prior to his death he abandoned his 
mercantile occupation and remained on his farm 
until called hence. He served in various local 
offices and was elected a member of the Legisla- 
ture from the Capital District. 

The mother of our subject was born in Kentucky 
and is still living. Her father, John Taylor, was 
a noted Baptist minister of Kentucky in the early 
days, and was an author of considerable repute. 
He established ten churches, of which he subse- 
quently wrote a history, the work becoming quite 
noted among the accounts of church extension. 
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith reared four children, 
all of whom are now living in this county. Our 
subject is the youngest member of the family cii-- 
cle, the others being John Taylor, Joseph Sidney 
and Mrs. Eliza J. Brown. The good mother attends 
the Christian Church, which her deceased compan- 
ion also supported during his life. 

Our subject received a thorough education, hav- 
ing been schooled in Springfield, Chicago and St. 
Louis. At the early age of twenty years he mar- 
ried and for a time after that happj- event made his 
home at Bates Station, which is on his farm and is 
now his residence. He gave his entire attention to 
farming and cattle-raising, and developed his land 
from a common farm to a place which is conceded 
to be the finest in the county. The property is 
kno.Tn as Boskj-mead, contains eight hundred acres 
and is devoted to the cultivation of grain and the 
raising of blooded stock, including horses, cattle 
sheep and swine. Mr. Smith has been interested in 



516 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



cattle ranges in Montana and Dakota, and is now 
the individual owner of property in those States. 

As a personal enterprise the chief attention of 
Mr. .Smith was given to farming and stock-raising 
until 1886, when he became a stockholder in the 
Illinois National Bank and elected President of the 
institution. He has since held that office, display- 
ing a degree of financial ability that redounds to the 
interest of the institution. Mr. Smith is also inter- 
ested in various corporations as well as in city real 
estate, and is a Director of the Bank at Williams- 
ville. He takes an active part in municipal affairs 
and in those'of the county, having been Chairman 
of the County Board of Supervisors and Chairman 
of the Central Committee. Every movement which 
is projected for the improvement or upbuilding of 
this section of the Prairie State finds an ardent sup- 
porter in him, and his sympathy reaches out to 
other parts of the Union in all public work with 
which he is connected. 

Mr. Smith has taken an active part in the polit- 
ical arena, having served in the Legislature two 
terms, and while a member of the Assembly was 
on the Committee on Appropriations and oth- 
ers. For four years he was President of the Na- 
tional Cattle Growers' Association of the United 
States, which society embraced delegates from 
every State and Territory, and all associations con- 
nected with the National Herd books. The object 
of the association was the general protection of live- 
stock interests in the United States. 

Gen. N. M. Curtis, of New York; United States 
Senator, J. M. Carey, of Montana; Hon. J. B. 
Grinnell, of Iowa; and Mr. Smith, drafted and 
secured the passage through Congress of the first 
bill for the protection of domestic cattle from con- 
tagious diseases. Our subject spent five winters in 
Washington, D. C, perfecting the law and working 
to secure its passage. The laws now in force in all 
the Western States have been modeled after the 
Illinois law, which Mr. Smith drafted and secured 
the passage of in 1881. The statutes have been of 
great benefitto cattle-men and calculated to protect 
consumers as well. 

The estimable and cultured woman who presides 
over the beautiful home of our subject with dignity 
and grace was known in her maidenhood as Miss 



Emma Delia McConnell. She became the wife of 
onr subject September 1, 1864, and their fireside 
has been gladdened by the birth of four children : 
Sidne3', Eliza A., Temple and Augusta. Sidney is 
now on a ranch in the West. Mrs. Smith is a 
daughter of Andrew B. McConnell, who was Chair- 
man of the County Board of Supervisors for many 
years and was President of the State Board of Ag- 
riculture during a long period. Mr. Smith is one of 
the Commissioners of the World's Fair, and was at 
one time a member of the State Live-Stock Commit- 
tee, and in 1886 resigned to take his present position 
as President of the Illinois National Bank, which 
position he still holds to the satisfaction of all con- 
cerned. 



-i- 



-^^ 



-h 



lip^T? RANK REISCH is one of the [)rominent 
I— j^ brewers of this part of Illinois, and is 
/l^ recognized as one of the leading citizens of 

Springfield, where he was born. On the morning 
, of August 18, 1875, Franzales Reisch fell from the 
third stor3^ of his brewery and died within a couple 
of hours. The funeral that was held in his honor 
was a large one, and the |)rocession that followed 
his mortal remains to the grave contained one hun- 
dred and ninety-seven vehicles in which were some 
of tlie foremost people of the city, who gave every 
token of res|iect by which the death of an eminent 
citizen is lamented. Mr. Reisch had lived in Illi- 
nois forty-three 3'ears, coming here in pioneer 
times. He was born in Baden on the Rhine, at 
Nicderhausen, January 19, 1809. He learned the 
trade of a cooper in his youth, and in 1832 in the 
opening years of a stalwart manhood he emigrated 
to America and for a time lived in Kentucky. 
From there he went to Indiana and next to BeardS' 
town, 111. 

After working at his trade in the latter town for 
about four years Mr. Reisch recrossed the ocean to 
reclaim his bride, Susan Maurer, to whom he had 
been betrothed before he left the Fatherland. He 
returned to this country with his newly vvedded 
wife and again took up his residence in Beardstown 
where he had a shop of his own. In 1839 he 
bought a farm in this count}' and managed both 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



817 



farm and shop. He subsequently engaged in busi- 
ness as a merchant in Springfield. In 1851 lie 
established a brewery in tbis city on a small scale, 
and abandoned it in 1854 to engage in making 
brick. He recovered his brewery in 1858 and 
associated with himself C A. Helmie, a very supe- 
rior business man. In 1862 he bought the plant 
entire, and in 18G3 admitted his son Frank into 
partnership. In 1868 they built the mammoth 
structure in which the son is now carrying on the 
business. 

From the time that he entered into partnership 
with his father the business had suffered no check, 
and under our subject's excellent management is 
steatlily increasing and is one of the leading indus- 
tries of the city. The brewery is finel}' fitted up 
with all the best machinery for carrying on the 
manufacture of beer and has every convenience. 
The beer manufactured is of a superior quality, 
being made by the best processes and has a wide 
sale. The cap.acity of the brewery is one hundred 
barrels a d.ay, and it gives employment to fifty-five 
men and to eight teams. 

Mr. Reisch is a thorough-going business man, 
who takes a keen interest in everything calculated 
to promote the growth and development of Spring- 
field. He is a strong man iu financial circles, is a 
Director in the Illinois National Bank and a stock- 
holder in the street railway system. 



] OSEPH O. JOY. Sangamon County as well 
as other parts of this countr}- is greatly in- 
debted for its growth and progress in the 
last quarter of a century to the citizen-sol- 
diers of the late war, who bravely fought in the 
ranks to preserve the Union, and since those crying 
limes have done as noble work in pushing forward 
the various interests of this great Republic. Our 
subject is a fine representative of these men, and is 
one of the most progressive and successful farmers 
and stock-growers of Loami Township. 

Mr. Joy was born August 2, 1843, in Cabell 
County, in what is now West Virginia. His father, 
William Joy, was born in 1817, amid the grand 



scenery at Harper's Ferrj', Va. lie located in Ca- 
bell County before his marriage, and in the spring 
of 1857 he came hither, and settled among the pio- 
neers of Loami Township. He bought a farm three- 
fourths of a mile northwest of Loami, and after that 
purchased another on section 16, where the remain- 
ing years of his life were passed, and death closed 
his liusy career, Marcli 17, 1873. lie was greatly 
esteemed for his many good qualities of head and 
heart, and had as few enemies and as many friends 
during his life as any man in the township. The 
mother of our subject w.as Minerva Knight, and she 
was born in North Carolina. She is still living at 
a venerable age, and of her ten children, five are liv- 
ing. She is a sincere Christian, and has long been 
a devoted member of the Methodist Church. She 
sent five sons to Southern battlefields to defend 
the stars and stripes. Buena A'ista Joy enlisted 
as a member of the Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, 
was captured by the enemy, and sacrificed his life 
for his country-, dying from starvation in Ander- 
sonville prison July 5, 1864; John W. Joy also 
gave up his life for his countr}'. He was a mem- 
ber of the Seventy-third Illinois, and was mortally 
wounded at the battle of Ferrysville, October 8, 
1862, and died Deccml)er 26, of the same year; 
J.nmes M. suffered much for the Union cause. He was 
a member of the Sevent3'-third Illinois Infantry,was 
captured at Chiekamauga, September 20, 1863, and 
was a prisoner until the close of the war, having an 
experience of life in five different rebel prisons. 
William E. did brave service on the bittlefield. He 
was likewise a member of the gallant Seventy-thiid 
Illinois Regiment. He was wounded at Perrys- 
ville, October 8, 1862, and was afterward dis- 
charged on account of disability. 

We will now resume the account of the life of our 
subject, Ills early educational advantages were 
not of the best, but he man.aged to obtain some 
hook learning in the subscription schools of pioneer 
times. He remained at home until the war broke 
out and was ver}' serviceable to his father in the 
labor of carrying on the farm. lie was a mere 
youth when the war broke out, but as soon as pos- 
sible he offered his services to his country, and 
when only nineteen years old enlisted, August 6, 
1862, in the Seventy-third Illinois Regiment, of 



518 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



which some of his brothers were members. The 
young soldier passed tlirough many trying scenes, 
and fouglit in some of the most liutly contested 
battles of the war. He was at Perrysville, at Stone 
River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, and in 
the last named battle was shot through the left hip. 
He was sent to the general hospital at Chattanooga, 
where he remained until December 24. On that 
date he was forwarded to Nasliville, where he lay 
suffering from his wound until February 6, 1864, 
when ho returned home on a furlough of twentj' 
days. At the expiration of that time he returned 
to the hospital and rejoined his regiment March 6, 
in East Tennessee. 

Mr. Joy took i)art in the Atlanta campaign. He 
did good service at Rocky Face Ridge, and at 
Dalton and Resaca; bravely faced the enemy on 
the battlefield at Adairsvill(% and again at Dallas, 
New Hope Church, Pine and Lost Mountains, and 
last but not least, engaged in the terrible assault at 
Kencsaw Mountain. He was in the midst of the 
light at Peach Tree Creek, and at Jonesboro, and 
sulisequently returned with his regiment to Atlanta. 
From there lie and iiis comrades were sent to Chat- 
tanooga, and thence to Pulaski, where they camped 
for a time. The next battle in which the gallant 
men of the Seventy-third participated, was at Frank- 
lin, and then came the fierce contest with the rebels 
at Nashville. Our subject's course on the battle- 
field was alike honorable to himself and reflected 
credit on the soldiery of this State. His military 
life was brought to a close June 12, 18G5, when he 
was mustered out of the service. 

Not long after his return from the South, our 
gallant hero was dul^' rewarded for all that he had 
done and suffered in defense of the old flag, by the 
hand and heart of Miss Sar.ah J. Baker, to whom 
lie was united in marriage November 2, ISCo. Mrs. 
Joy is a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Baker, 
natives of A'irginia, who were among the first settlers 
in tills county. Her father died in 1852, and her 
mother in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Joy have had five 
children — Charles W., William A., John W. (de- 
ceased), Mary A., and Irene (deceased). 

Mr. Joy has b}- his energetic and persistent labors 
placed himself among the most substantial and well- 
to-do fanners of the township. He has a choice 



farm of three hundred and fourteen acres whose 
broad fields are under admirable tillage, and its 
well-ordered and neatly appointed farm buildings 
make it one of the most attractive places in this 
local! tj'. He and his family have a home that is 
replete with comfort in a fine residence that is taste- 
fully furnished throughout. Mr. Joy is one of the 
leading horse-breeders in this part of the county, 
and has some very fine road horses, and disposed 
of one recently for $600. 

Mr. Jo}- is essentially a self-made man, having 
started in life with but limited means, and achiev- 
ing success by his ambitious and persistent efforts 
to overcome every obstacle that lay in his pathway. 
Possessing many fine traits of character, and alwaj's 
genial and obliging in his intercourse with others, 
he is held in high estimation throughout the com- 
munity. He has served his township as Assessor 
twice. He is sound in his political views and gives 
the Republican party his hearty support. He has 
been a delegate to several conventions, but other- 
wise has taken no very active part in the politics 
of the county. His life as a soldier is commemo- 
rated by his membership in the Grand Army of the 
Republic. He is identified with the Modern Wood- 
men of America, and is connected with the Farm- 
ers' Mutual Benefit Association. Both he and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Church, and are 
earnestly desirous to do all in their power to ele- 
vate the social, moral and religious status of the 
community. 



as 



-gi^i" 



■S^, R. RICHARD EDWARDS, C.E., B.S., A.M., 
LL.D., late Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion for the State of Illinois. That the child 
is father of the man is not only true of his disposi- 
tion and mental traits, but also of his habits. It 
was, therefore, a wise measure on tlie part of our 
forefathers to take the steps that led to the estab- 
lishment of our public school system, and of each 
succeeding generation to add to the efflcienc}' of 
the great institution by placing at its head men of 
mental culture, moral worth, and those who have 
a broad outlook over the field. The great common- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



519 



wealth of Illinois is fortunate in liaving been able 
to secure for her Superintendent of Instruction a 
learned, upright, diligent gentleman, courageous 
and self-respecting and having a high standard of 
the intellectual and moral worth of the scliools. 

Dr. Edwards was born in Cardigansliire, "Wales, 
December 23, 1822, his parents being Richard and 
Ann (Jones) Edwards. The lad had received his 
primary education when his parents emigrated to 
America, locating in Portage County, Ohio. The 
father was a brick and stonemason, but purchased 
a farm, upon which he made his home, and whereon 
the son spent his }'ounger days. The education of 
young Edwards was continued and he developed 
his bodily powers by helping to clear the farm as 
soon as he was large enough. He was graduated 
from the State Normal School at Bridgewater, 
Mass., and later from the Polj'technic Institute at 
Troy, N. Y., receiving the degrees of Bachelor of 
Science and Civil Engineer from the latter institu- 
tion. Prior to going East to pursue his studies, 
Mr. Edwards had learned the carpenter's trade and 
worked at the bench seven 3'ears, thereby obtain- 
ing tlie means to prosecute his education. 

After leaving the Polj'technic School Mr. Ed- 
wards found employment as a civil engineer in the 
Boston Water Works. He next became an assist- 
ant teacher in the Normal School, from which he 
had l)een graduated, spending five years in effleient 
work there. For a short time he was ))rincipal of 
the Boys' High School at Salem, Mass., resigning 
the position by reason of being appointed State 
Agent of the Board of Education of tiie State. 
During the years from 1854 to 1857 inclusive, 
Mr. Edwards was the first Principal of the State Nor- 
mal Sciiool, in Salem, and was tiien called to St. 
Louis, Mo., to establish the Normal School of that 
city. He remained in charge there until 1861, 
wlien he was appointed Principal of tlie High 
School in tlie same city. In March, 18G2, he was 
invited to take the Presidencj' of the State Normal 
University, at Normal, III., and accepting, stood 
at the head of that institution until January, 1876. 
During those j'ears the school increased in num- 
l)ers from two hundred and eightj' to seven hun- 
dred and seventy-seven, which was the enrollment 
on the catalogue when President Edwards left. 



During the next nine years Dr. Edwards was 
Pastor of the First Congregational Church, in 
Princeton, this State, and during that time he was 
noted for his scholarly discourses, his earnest efforts 
to impress upon his hearers the needs of the soul, 
and his interest in all good works. The ministe- 
rial labors of Dr. Edwards were brought to a close 
by his becoming Financial Agent of the Knox 
College at Galesburg, a cap.acity in which he acted 
some eighteen months. In January, 1887, he 
assumed the duties of his present office, to which 
he had been elected in November preceding. He 
was re-nominated June 24, 1890, in the State House 
by acclamation. Dr. Edwards was given his degree 
of Master of Arts by Harvard University in 1865, 
on account of his rare fitness for educational work 
and the great good which he was accomplishinor 
in fitting others for the work of instruction, and 
that of Doctor of Laws by Shurtleff College. 

The educational work of Dr. Edwards was begun 
in 1842 and the first certificate which he received 
was signed by Luther Day, afterward Chief Justice 
of the State of Ohio. This document is still in the 
Doctor's possession and is highly prized by him, 
both as a memento of his early pedagogical labors 
and because of its having inscribed upon it the 
autograph of a famous man. Few men are privi- 
leged to look back over so many 3'ears of earnest 
and well-directed effort in an elevated field as Dr. 
Edwards, and fevv are regarded with so genuine 
admiration and so deep respect as he. As State 
.Superintendent, he has labored earnestl}- to carry 
out the plans which have been proven wise, and 
to introduce improved methods of instruction 
wherever the efficiency of the schools could be thus 
advanced. All teachers who love their work and 
are anxious to excel therein find in him a firm 
friend and wise counselor, while to the pupils he 
; acts the part of a father ratlier than a ruler, being 
; in sympathy with the aspirations and desires of all 
! students and anxious to increase their opportunities. 
July 3, 1849, Mr. Edwards was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Betsey J. Samson, a native of Pem- 
broke, Mass. This lady was graduated from the 
Bridgewater Normal School and was a teacher of 
good repute before she united her fortunes with 
those of our subject. Her culture of mind, inter- 



626 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



est in educational affairs, and womanly sympathy 
in the pursuits of her linsband, have made their 
home a. place in whieli Dr. Edwards could find rest 
and enjoyment and additional inspiration in the 
work in whicli he is engaged. Mr. and Mrs. 
Edwards have nine children, of whom we note the 
following: Annie E. is the wife of N. C. Dough- 
erty, Superintendent of Schools in Peoria; Richard 
A. is Cashier of the First Nation.'il Bank in Peru, 
Ind.; Ellen S. is still an inmate of the parental 
home; Mary C. is the wife of Dr. D. C. Tyler, of 
Clifton, Kan.; Rf.v. Nicholas T. is pastor of the 
First Congregational Church in Kewanee, this 
Slate; George H. is manager of Mills Jewelry 
Company in Kansas City, Mo.; AValter A. is prin- 
cipal of the High School in Decatur, this Slate; 
Owen M. is a clerk in a himber yard in Kansas 
City, Mo. ; and Florence M. is still with her parents. 




• ILLIAM H. COLBY. Among all the men 
who have practiced law in Springfield, and 
won an honorable name in the ranks of the 
profession, none is better tieserving of representa- 
tion in a volume of this nature than William H. 
Colby, now ^Laster in Chancer}-. lie has risen to 
prominence by dint of his own efforts, backed by 
the indomitable will and powers of mind which 
came to him as a heritage from honorable ances- 
tors. His youth was spent in a manner which to 
one weak of will would have prevented any amount 
of mental culture, but which to him, as to other 
men of note in our State, seemed but to add keen- 
ness to his wits and force to his determination. 

Our subject was born in Orange Count}', N. Y., 
September 14, 1849, and was an infant but six 
months old when the family removed to Cook 
County, 111. There the father, James Colby, was 
engaged as a railroad contractor until about 1858, 
when he laid down the cares of life and joined the 
"sheeteil nations of the dead." In 1863 the mother, 
Anna (Abbott) Colby, entered interest. In March 
of that year the son of whom we write came to 
Springfield with a single suit of clothes, and twent}'- 



five cents in money which he paid for a night's 
lodging, retiring supperless. The next day he 
sought employment and found it with George 
Bergen, a farmer east of Springfield, in whose em- 
ploy he remained for ten years. He worked b}' the 
month, receiving 16 during the first eight months, 
but his wages finally increasing to $25. 

During that period Mr. Colby did what he could 
to advance his education, and having determined to 
become versed in the law, he borrowed legal works 
from the Hon. Charles A. Kejes, reading them 
evenings and rainy days, and keeping them hidden 
in a wheat bin. Before he went into an office regu- 
larly he had gained a very good understanding of 
the common law as given in the v.ritiugs of lUack- 
stone and others. Mr. Colby devoted one year to 
study in the college of which Dr. John G. Scott, 
the father-in-law of President Harrison, was Presi- 
dent. After completing his literary education, he 
read law in the office of Patton & Lanphier, of 
Springfield, continuing his studies with them until 
he was admitted to the bar in January, 1878. 

Mr. Colby at once located for practice, and has 
steadily worked his way onward and upward, taking 
a place among the prominent and risit)g attor- 
neys of the city. He has devoted himself assidu- 
ously to the practice of his profession, and has 
never given up the habit of careful and earnest 
study. In 1882 he was elected City Attorney, and 
at the expiration of his term of office was in part- 
nership with William F. Herndon for a year. He 
subsequently formed a connection with Kobert L. 
McGuire, which continued until his appointment as 
Master in Chancery in 1881). 

In Rochester Township, October 4, 1875, Mr. 
Colby was united in marriage with Miss Henrietta 
Cantrill. This lady is a daughter of Joel Cantrill, 
one of the earl}' settlers of the county, who came 
hither from Kentucky, and died many years ago. 
It would naturally be supposed that Mr. Colby 
would be attracted only to a lady of intelligence 
and graces cf character, and such was the case. His 
wife has made his home an attractive and happy 
one, and the children who have been born to them 
owe much to her counsel and care. The family 
circle includes Charles P., Honoretta B., George B., 
Mabel and Catherine L. 





oTTyrJj^^^' 




PORTRAIT AND BtOGRAPHtCAL ALBUM. 



523 



Mr. Colbj' lias taken an active part in local poli- 
tics as a worker in the ranks of the Democratic 
party, and his powers of mind and worth of char- 
acter give his words and actions decided weight. 
He has been a member of the Masonic order for 
man}' years. In religion he is a Presbyterian, en- 
rolled amonsf tiie members of the First Church. 



,s-J#>U^e^_ 



-*^ IS 



,ATRICK H. DONNELLY. One of the 
most important industries of this great State 
is the development of the beds of mineral 
/ \ tiiat underlie her fertile soil and especially 
that of the coal veins wherein imprisoned warnitli 
waits to be set free to bless us with its heat and 
power. Tills industry furnishes employment to a 
vast army of hardy men, whose interests have be- 
come an important factor in the world's progress 
to civilization and who are being recognized as 
more than the mere moving machines former ages 
made them, and as entitled to all the advantages 
and consideration their humanity demands. It is 
therefore with pleasure that we present the por- 
trait of Patrick H. Donnell}- on the opposite page 
and herewith record the main incidents in the 
career of one who is well-known as an important 
member of the great industrial army and who 
has done much to advance the welfare of his fel- 
low-craftsmen. 

The parents of our subject were IMichael and 
Bridget (Mellet) Donnelly, both of whom were 
born in Ireland but came to America iu early child- 
hood. Tlie father was engaged in the mines of the 
anthracite regions of the Keystone State, having 
track laying and timber work to do. He was killed 
by an accident on the cable-car while ascending the 
slope April 9, 1865, living but two or three hours 
after the sad catastrophe occurred. To bim and 
his good wife four children had been born: one 
died in infancj'; Julia, wife of Charles McCollough, 
a plumber and gas fitter in Philadelphia; Mary, 
wife of John Keegan who has been in the service 
of the Adams f^xpress Company for years; and he 
of whom we write. Several members of the Don- 
nelly family came to this country. John, a brother 



of Michael was killed at Gettysburg on the second 
day of the fight; Thomas, another brother, now 
lives in Mahanoy City, Pa., retired from active 
life. 

Patrick Donnelly was born in St. Clair, Schuyl- 
kill County, Pa., January 29, 1857, and passed his 
early daj^s in work about the mines, beginning be- 
fore he was nine years old as a breaker boy or slate 
picker, where coal is graded. At the age of thir- 
teen he began to turn a fan in the mines, throwing 
pure air into the chambers and driving back the 
gas which accumulates in those underground re- 
cesses. Still later he took part in tae varied duties 
of coupling cars and assisting the team drivers, 
then drove mules on the tram-cars and finally be- 
came a full-fledged miner. 

In 1879 Mr. Donnelly' came to Springfield and 
here spent his lirst summer as a harvest hand, raw 
but apt to learn, strong and ready. The ensuing 
fall and winter he labored at his former occupation 
as a miner and continued this emploi'ment during 
the cold weather thereafter until called to represent 
his fellow-craftsmen as an olliclal. The second and 
third summers he did whatever his hands could 
find to do, provided only, it was honest labor, and 
by that time becoming known as an industrious 
and faithful employe was at no great loss for occu- 
pation. 

In 1884 Jlr. Donnelly was elected District Pres- 
ident of llie organization of his craft for Central 
Illinois Miners. In May following the delegates 
from the various mines in the tlistrict selected him 
to represent I hem as delegate at large in the Illi- 
nois Miners State Convention which assembled in 
the State House June 3-5 of that year. The dele- 
gates from his district presented his name to the 
convention for the State Secretaryship and he was 
elected by a majority of one over James C. Hee- 
nan who had served in that capacity for a few years. 
At the annual conventions of 1886-87-88 he was 
re-elected by acclamation, with his salaiy increased 
for efficiency in office. 

A still higher honor was offered to Mr. Donnelly^ 
that of the National Secretaryship, which was ten- 
dered him at the National Convention held at 
Columbus, Ohio, in December, 1888, but this he 
declined. At the State Convention of the Illinois 



524 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Miners Association lie'.d in Januaiv, 1 889, in Bloom- 
ington, his fellovr-craftsmen urged him to accept 
tliu State Fresidenc3' but he wouhl not accede to 
llieir wislies in this respect. During the months of 
Marcli, April and May, 188i),at the urgent request 
of tlie National President, the Hon. John McBride, 
Mr. Donnelly made an organizing tour throughout 
Ohio and Pennsylvania, visiting the anthracite re- 
gions where his boyhood was passed. July 1, of 
that year, he accei)ted a position as chief clerk of 
the Documentar3- Department from Secretary of 
State L N. Pearson, whose candidacy had been 
earnestly supported by him. This position he still 
holds, faithfully discharging its duties and aiming 
to secure perfect work in his department. 

Our subject was the nominee on the Republican 
ticl<et for the position of State Senator for the Thir- 
ty-iiintli District (Sangamon County). This (1890) 
will be long remembered as the "political cyclone" 
year and although badly defeated in the district 
wliich has been for years overwhelmingly Demo- 
cratic, Mr. Donnelly prosecuted a campaign that 
was creditable to him. He took advanced grounds 
upon tlie school question and in favor of compul- 
sory education. He refrained _ from the ordinary 
political abuse b3' candidates of |)arties and pre- 
sented for the first time iu the history of the county 
the issues iu a conservative way from a labor stand- 
point, working" for purer politics and better gov- 
crnmcTit. The results of his labors iu tiiat campaign 
will bear fruit in other times for other men and the 
people will be benelited thereby. He filled the 
position of Deputy Assessor in Springfield for two 
terms, in the spiingsof 1882 and liS8.5, leaving a 
creditable record of official service after him. For 
several years he has been known as a writer for 
different industrial journals, and articles from his 
pen have been widely quoteil iu i)Ooks relatino; to 
the labor problem. 

Tlie lady in whose sympathy and intelligence Mr. 
Donnelly finds rest and insi)iration when burdened 
by his onei'ous duties, became his wife in Spring- 
field, October 12, 1881, prior to whicli time she 
was known as Miss Ellen Moore. They have three 
sons, named Michael Emmett, Alexander Martin 
and John, and an adopted daughter — Alice Tracy. 
The group brighten the home as only active and 



busy children can and are responding to the ear 
they receive by rapidly developing minds and 
manners. 

Mr. Donnelly is a member of several social orders 
and is quite popular as he possesses the ready wit 
of the race from which he sprang and is sufficiently 
fond of society to be companionable. He belongs 
to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ameri- 
can Federation of Labor and the Total Abstinence 
Society of the Immaculate Conception. From the 
Federation he received by vote of the I>xecutive 
Council an eight-hour gold badge for services 
rendered in the eight-hour movement. His relig- 
ious membership is in the Catholic Church. It will 
be seen by these brief paragraphs that Mr. Don- 
nelly has been useful in his day and generation, and 
as he is still a young man he bids fair to enjoy 
many vears of even more extended usefulness and 



honor. 



-S'S*' ^'!^-^^**^^'^?i*f-'<=i*^ 



DWARD DAY, the subject of this sketch, 
is living on a fine farm of two hundreii and 
^ seventy-seven acres on sections 26 and 27, 
Gardner Township, and was born on his father's farm 
in this neighborhood April 2, 1863. He is de- 
scended from one of the early New England fami- 
lies. His grandfather, Robert D.ay, was born in 
Sheffield, Mass., and engaged as a traveling sales- 
man for a well-known clock company, his route 
being between Massachusetts and Louisiana. He 
married Clarissa Dash in Louisiana and settled iu 
that State. After his death his widow removed 
with her family to Springfield, HI. The father of 
our subject, William Da}', was then a lad of four- 
teen years. He was born iu Franklin Parish, 
La., and in the days of his early manhood worked 
as a farm hand. During the war he bought horses 
for the Government and in 1864 he ilrove across 
the ])lains to California, where among the moun- 
tains he engaged in trading. (Juite an adventure 
befell him on the way and almost mir.aculously he 
escaped with his life. The Indians attacked the 
party and seven balls were buried in his flesh. His 
horse was also wounded in the leg and came limp- 
ing into cami). The men of the party carried Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



525 



Day to shelter but his woumls vrere of such a seri- 
ous nature that it seemed impossible that he could 
recover. In fact, he was once given up for dead, 
but reviving, he at length came slowly back to 
health. He spent spven years on the Pacific Slope 
and then returned to his home in Springfield, where 
he engaged in teaming. Later he followed farming 
in Springfield Township, and in 1877 removed to 
Macon, where he resumed that occupation. 

William Day was united in marriage with Eliza- 
beth Gregory who was born in Gardner Township. 
The Gregory family is of English extraction. Her 
father, George Gregory, was born in Ripley, 
Derbyshire, England, January 7, 1808, and his fa- 
ther, Benjamin, spent his entire life in that coun- 
try. By occupation, George Gregory was an 
engineer. In March, 1832, emigrating to America, 
he located in PhiLadelphia, Pa., and ran the first 
train between that city and Lancaster. Fourteen 
months later he returned to England but found 
that in the meantime his family had come to Amer- 
ica and he then again crossed the Atlantic to Phil- 
adelphia. He aided in the unloading from English 
vessels, of the first five locomotives brought to 
America. Previous to this time the passenger trains 
were drawn by mules. The knowledge of engineer- 
ing acquired in his native land proved of much 
value to him on the introduction of railroading into 
tliis country. He worked three years at that vo- 
cation and then started for the West in 1836, travel- 
ing by boat and stage to Springfield, 111., where he 
purcliased a shop and embarked in the blacksmith 
tr.ide, which he followed for four years. Selling 
(lut, he was then employed as engineer ou what is 
now the Toledo & Wabash Railroad for three years, 
with T. M. Everett as fireman. He ran the first 
locomotive between Jacksonville and Springfield, 
which entered the Capital City on the 15th of 
Kcl)ruary,1842. 

Mr. Gregory was married in England, June 6, 
1830, to Miss Sarah Knowles, who was born in 
Breckenficld. September 15, 1810, and was a daugh- 
ter of John Knowles, an P>nglish farmer who died in 
his native land. Accompanied b}' a brother and 
two sisters, in June, 1833, Mrs. Gregory boarded tlie 
sailing vessel, "Susquehanna," bound for the New 
Woild, whither she was going to join her husband. 



She reached Philadelphia after seven weeks and 
continued her travels to Illinois. In 1842, Mr. 
Gregory purchased the farm on which our subject 
now resides, then an unimproved tract of three 
hundred acres. After the family was comfortably 
settled in a log cabin he began the development of 
his land and in connection with its cultivation en- 
gaged quite extensively in shipping cattle. In 1871, 
he returned to England and visited the scenes of 
his childhood and the friends of his boyhood days. 
His death occurred on September 17, 1888. He 
was a Democrat in politics and died in the faith of 
the Methodist Church. So successful was he in his 
business career that he became one of the largest 
landowners of the county, owning at one time 
about three thousand acres. He left to his widow, 
who still survives him, two hundred and seventy- 
seven acres in Sangamon County, and seven hun- 
dred and ten acres of excellent farming land in 
Macon County were deeded to his children. He 
was a warm personal friend of President Lincoln 
whom he visited in Washington during the time 
Mr. Lincoln was Chief Executive of the Nation. 
In the Gregory family were thirteen children, 
eight of whom grew to mature years, namely: 
Elizabeth, mother of our subject; Mrs. Eliza Brad- 
ley who died in Macon County, in 1884; Samuel 
who was killed in Macon County by being thrown 
violently against a stump by a runaway horse; 
Jacob, a farmer of Macon County; Emma, wife of 
George IMatthews of CollinsviUe, III.; Mary, wife 
of B. F. Wallace of Taj-lorville; George who is 
living in Gardner Township, and Isaac, a farmer of 
Macon Count}'. 

Mrs. Day, mother of our subject, was reared in 
this county and educated by a governess. Her 
death occurred in Macon County, March 4, 1882. 
She was the mother of seven children: Edward, 
whose name heads this sketch; Orland S. who is 
living with our subject; Susan who makes her home 
witli her grandmother; Robert at home; George 
who is living with an aunt in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; and 
Arthur M. and B. Frank, dece.ased. 

The first fourteen years of his life Edward Day 
spent in his native county and began his school 
life in the district schools of the neighborhood. 
His education was completed in Macon Countj-, 



526 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



find he remained under the parental roof until nine- 
teen years of age, when, on the 4th of September, 
1882, he returned to Gardner Township to make 
his home with liis grandfather Gregorj', for whom 
he worlved for two years. He then rented a portion 
of tiic farm until tlie death of Mr. Gregorj'. He 
is now engaged in .agricultural pursuits in connec- 
tion with Ids Uncle George, they operating one 
hundred and lift}' acres of land on section 26, 
Gardner Township. Stock-raising is an important 
branch of their business and they keep on band ex- 
cellent grades of all kinds of farm animals. Their 
annual shipments include from one hundred and 
fifty to two hundred liead of hogs, and from forty 
to sixty liead of cattle. They also own some forty- 
three head of horses, including a Clyde, Lord Cecil 
Jr., which is now five years old and weighs sixteen 
hundred jjounds. Our suliject owns forty acres of 
good fanning land in Macon County, 111. Mr. Day 
is an enterprising and progressive farmer who is 
making a success of his business by close applica- 
tion, industry, thrift and the exercise of correct 
business principles. Socially, he is a meml)er of 
the Jlodern Woodmen of America and of Hope 
Lodge, Xci. 3055, F. M. B. A.; in political senti- 
ment he is a sup[)orter of Democratic principles. 



"*^ 



<| MLLIAM JAYNE, M. D. But few names 
\/\l// ^''^ more widely-known and honored 
VW tlironghout the State than tliat of Dr. 
Jayne who is eminent alike as a physician of high 
repute and as a statesman of marked ability. A na- 
tive of Springfield, he has done as much as any one 
man to advance the interests of his early home and 
of the dwelling place of his declining years, and his 
hand has given an impetus to many important 
movements that have greatly aided in the rise and 
growth of the city. 

Our subject comes of an honorable ancestry. 
William Jay no, who was born at Bristol, England, 
January 25, 1618, died IMarch 24, 1714, and was 
Iniried at Setauket, L. I., was a progenitor of the 
Jayne family in the United States. He served in the 
army of Oliver Cromwell and after the restoration 



of Charles II. came to America. His son William, 
the second in line of descent was born March 23, 
1684. He was the father of Isaac Jayne, who 
was the third in line of descent and was born 
November 22, 1715. His son Jothan was of the 
fourth generation and was born March 4, 1758. He 
had a son named Gershan, who was born October 
15, 1791. and was the father of our subject. He was 
married at Springfield to Sybil Slater, the issue of 
of which marriage surviving to adult age were four 
children — lulia Maria, who married ex-Senator 
Lyman Trumbull; Capt. Henry Jiiyne who served 
five years in the Union Army; Mar^' Ellen, who 
died unmarried, and William Jayne of whom we 
write. 

William Jayne the subject of this biography, is of 
the sixth generation from the famous ancestor 
whose name he bears, and he was born at Spring- 
field October 8, 1826. He was reared amid pio- 
neer scenes and was prepared for college under the 
instruction of the Rev. Francis .Springer, in his 
native city. He entered Illinois College in 184.3 
and was graduated in 1847 with the degree of 
Bachelor of Arts. Afterward his Alma Mater con- 
ferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts in 
just recognition of the position he had attained 
in the medical world and in public life. Our sub- 
ject was one of the founders of the famous Phi Al- 
pha Society and was her first President. 

Having studied in the medical department of the 
Missouri State University for some time, Dr. Jayne 
received his diploma and has since, except when en- 
gaged in official duties, been a practitioner in 
Springfield and he has risen to a position of emi- 
nence among his medical brethren. In October, 
1850, he married Julia Witherbee of Jacksonville. 
He has surviving by that marriage two children- 
William S. Jayne. who married Margaret, daughter 
of ex-Gov. John M. Palmer; and Lizzirf who mar- 
ried C. F. Kuechler. 

As the leader of the Republican party Dr. Jaj-ne 
has long been prominent in .State politics, and has 
filled with honor many important civic positions. 
In 1860 he was elected State Senator from the dis- 
trict composed of .Sangamon and Morgan Counties. 
A year later by appointment of President Lincoln 
he became Governor of Dakota and at one time was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



527 



a delegate to Congress from that territory. In 
1869 President Grant appointed bim Pension 
Agent for Illinois, and he discharged the duties of 
that responsible office so as to win the favor of the 
old soldiers and to the satisfaction of the Govern- 
ment. He was one of the Commissioners appointed 
by Gov. Oglesby to complete the new State Cap- 
itol and he was active in helping prosecute tiie 
work. He is eminent in financial affairs in con- 
nection with the First National Bank at Springfield, 
of which he has been a Director for fifteen years, 
and for nine j'ears one of the Vice Presidents of that 
institution. 

It is, however, in his capacity of Mayor of Spring- 
field and in what he accomplished in behalf of the 
city that Dr. Jayne will long be remembered. Four 
times he was elected by his fellow-citizens to be the 
head of the municipal government, acting in that 
capacity in 1859, 1876, 1877 and in 1882. He 
brought all the force of his intellect, his superior 
executive ability and his sterling common sense tu 
bear upon his work and gave the city a good gov- 
ernment while using his wide influence to advance 
all enterprises calculated to promote its well-being 
and material prosperity. The Doctor has also done 
much for the cause of education .as a member of 
the School Board which office he held for some 
years. 

^ OOP - 



AVID M. HURT is honored by the citizens 
of Illiopolis as one of the successful farmers 
of the township, for his record as a volunteer 
in the late war, and for his standing as a man and 
a citizen. He was born December 12, 1832, within 
the present limits of Menard Count}-, which was 
then included in Sangamon County. His parents, 
.lames K. and ^lelinda (Preston) Hurt, were na- 
tives of Adair County, Ky. They left that State 
in the early '20s and settled in Illinois near the 
present site of Springfield. They subsequently re- 
moved to the homestead where their son David 
was born. His father was an active pioneer farmer, 
and was doing good work in helping to develop 
the country when his career was suddenly brought 
to a close by his death of cholera in 1862. He was 



born in 1805, and therefore was scarcely past 
the meridian of life when be closed his eyes to the 
scenes of earth. He and his good wife were the 
parents of eleven children, of whom seven are now 
living, all in Illinois except a sister, jiow Mrs. W. T. 
Holland, who resides in Kansas. 

Mr. Hurt received a limited education in the (Kay 
schools of the d.a}' and began life as a cooper. He 
afterward abandoned that tr.ade for farming, in 
which he w.as engaged near his old home. In 1867 
he bought eighty acres of his present farm, which 
was then a tract of wild prairie. He immediately 
began to improve it and now has a comfortable set 
of buildings on it, good orchards and the land 
under admirable tillage. By wise economy and 
hard labor he gathered together monej' enough to 
add another eighty acres to his original purch.ise, 
and now has a quarter-section of beautiful and 
fertile land. He devotes himself to general farm- 
ing and has his place well stocked and from his 
fields he reaps rich harvests. 

It has been the good fortune of our subject to 
receive the encouragement and cheerful help of 
one of the best of wives, to whom he was united in 
marriage in 1867. Mrs. Hurt was in her girlhood 
Susan Tice, a native of Illinois. Her parents were 
natives of Virginia and were married there. All of 
their eleven children were born in that State except 
two who were born in Illinois. They came to this 
State in an early day. Mr. Hurt and his wife 
have had three children: Edwin Morris, a line 
young man who resides at home with his par- 
ents; Luella, who died in August. 18SG; and JNIin- 
nie, who lives at home with her parents. The 
whole famil}' are prominent members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, with which our subject 
has been connected for thirty-three years. The 
chddren have been reareil under the wholes(nne 
influences of a pleasant home life. The decease<l 
daughter. Luella, was a Christian and died in the 
expressed hope of immortality beyond the grave. 
In this brief review in the life of our subject we 
must not omit the record of his life as a soldier. 
He enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry, 
under Col. R. B. Latham, and went into active ser- 
vice in Tennessee. He took part in the bush fighting. 



528 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and was subseqwently sent with his comrades to 
Jackson, Tenn., from there to Bolivar and thence 
to Memphis. After engaging witli the rebels in 
the siiirmish at Kane's Bluff our subject took part 
in the siege of Yicksbnrg. While in the line of 
active duty he was exposed to the terrific fire of 
the enemy, and once in an advance movcnnent was 
overcome by the heat and lay insensible by a log 
until found by comrades. Despite that fearful 
experience he refused to he placed on the hospital 
list and bravely stayed with his command until 
granted a tiiirty-days furlough. 

Mr. Hurt rejoined tiie regiment at Little Rock 
and went on an expedition up the Red River. He 
took part in many bloody battles, and was engaged 
in dangerous border warfare until the close of tiie 
war. His regiment was sent on an expedition to 
Arkansas and was finally discharged in .July, 1865, 
our subject iiaving won a good reputation as a 
patriotic and efficient soldier. In commemoration 
of ills connection with the war lie is a member of 
the Grand Army of the Republic and has been 
Commander one term of Morgan Post, No. 208. 
He is an active member of the Farmers Mutual 
Benefit Association, and it is a matter of common 
report that his word is as good as his bond, and his 
standing is among the best men in the comuuinity. 



C,\ HARLES RAUCH, an intelligent citizen and 
one of tiie leading business men of the 
'J county, is proprietor of the sorghum and saw 
mills on Sugar Creek, engages in stock-raising and 
ovvns and operates two hundred and fifty-seven 
acres of land on sections 28 and 33, Auburn Town- 
ship. If we were to sum up his life in one word 
that word would be success, for in his every under- 
taking he has prospered and through his own efforts 
he has arisen from a humble position to one of 
wealth and affluence. 

The Ranch family is of German origin. The 
grandfather of our subject, Andrew Ranch, was a 
German farmer who spent his entire life in bis 
native land. His father, Jacob Ranch, was born 



near Stuttgardt, Wurtemburg, in 1796, and in his 
youth became an expert stonemason. He was 
desirous of coming to America on nearing the years 
of maturity, and had not the means required for the 
journe}', but an uncle proposed to pay his passage 
and tills method being agreed upon he started for 
the New World. His aunt objected to her hus- 
band performing that favor and Jacob, possessing 
an independent spirit, resolved that he would have 
nothing to do with them but pay his own way. 
After eleven weeks he landed at Philadelphia, where 
he was sold to pay his passage, amounting to -$60. 
He was bound out for three years to a shipbuilder 
and faithfully worked for him until within a few 
months before the expiration of that period. The 
employes were then to be sent to another place but 
Jacob and a friend of his concluded that they had 
worked long enough to pay their passage many 
times over, and ran away. Mr. Ranch made inqui- 
ries for a German settlement and was directed to 
Muhleuburgh County, Ky., where he began work- 
ing at his trade. He was a practical stonemason 
and carpenter and could fashion anything from 
wood, so that his services were constantly in de- 
mand. He also built a sawmill on Green River 
and operated it until coming to Illinois. He was 
married in Kentucky to Paulina Pole^", a native of 
Muhlenburgli County, and a daughter of Charles 
Poley who was born in France. The early history 
of her family is given in the sketch of Mrs. Thomas 
Parks. 

In 1829, in company with his brotiier-in law, 
Joseph Poley, Rlr. Ranch brought his family to 
Illinois by team. He located in Auburn Township, 
Sangamon County, entering land on section 24, 
and developed a farm which heo[)erated until 1831, 
when he traded it to Benjamin Kessler for a por- 
tion of the farm upon which our subject now 
resides. He immediately began the improvement 
of the land and in the course of time broad and 
well-cultivated fields yielded him bounteous har- 
vests. He built a sawmill on Sugar Creek which 
he operated during the remainder of his life. As 
his financial resources increased he made judicious 
investments from time to time and became owner 
of seven hundred and twenty acres of land in 
Auburn Township and one thousand acres in an 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



529 



adjoining county. He possessed mucb mechanical 
genius, was a fine workman and prior to tlie day of 
lanterns made one of those articles of wood and 
glass to use in his sawmill. It is a remarkable piece 
of mechanism and our subject, who now has i)o?- 
session of it, intends placing it in the historical 
rooms of the Capitol in Springfield. Mr. Rauch was 
industrious, economical, honest and upright In all 
his dealings. He died very suddenly of lung fever 
in 1843 and the community shared with the family 
their great loss. In religious faith he was a Uni- 
versalist and in iiolitics a Democrat. 

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Ranch cared 
for her children until they were able to ]5rovide for 
tliemselves when she went to make her home with 
our subject. She was a Dunkard in religious belief 
and her death occurred in 1880, at the age of 
seventy-six j'ears. In their family were nine chil- 
dren. Andrew, the eldest, who was born in Muh- 
lenburgh Count}-, Ky., August 14, 1825, followed 
farming for a time, later engaged in general mer- 
chandising in Virden about four years, and is now 
a resident farmer of Auburn Township. He mar- 
ried Miss Margaret K. Cassity, a native of Lexing- 
ton, Ky., and they have six children, — Frank A:, 
Clara E., Emma A., Elmer C, Andrew Lee and 
Edward. The father served as Justice of the Peace 
for twenty-four years and helil various township 
offices. He is now President of the Farmers' 
Mutual Benefit Association and belongs to the 
Masonic fraternity ; Charles, of this sketch, is the 
next younger. Elizabeth died at the age of tliree 
years. Sivilla, wife of H. Orr, died in Auburn 
Township and .Tames, a farmer, died in California; 
Jacob is pro[)rietor of the Enterprise Flour Mills 
of Dallas. Tex.; Doc. Franklin died at the age of 
eleven years; Rebecca, wife of J. H. McGlothlin, 
died PY'bruary 7, 1890; Barbara, wife of Mathew 
Patton, resides in Auburn. 

We novv take up the i)ersonal history of our sub- 
ject, who was born in Muhlenburgh County, K\'., 
December 28, 1827. and when a babe of two yeais 
was brought to this county by his parents. Wild 
and unbroken were the prairies at that time and in 
the midst of pioneer scenes he was reared to man- 
hood. Wild game of all kinds was plentiful, deer 
were frequently seen and wolves often made the 



night hideous with their howling. His education was 
acquired in the subscrii)tion school, the building 
being a log structure with slab seats and a raud- 
and-stick chimney. He was early put to work upon 
the farm and from boyhood has engaged more or 
less in stock-raising. 

Mr. Rauch remained at home until thirty-two 
years of age, when on the loth of December, 1859, 
in Auburn Township, he wedded Miss Mary M. 
Brooks, a native of Delaware, and a daughter of 
William C. Brooks, who came with his family to 
this county in 185G. Mrs. Ranch was liborally 
educated in the Female Academy of Baltimore, 
and for some time engaged in teaching. She 
possesses intellectual ability of a high order, is a 
lady of culture and refinement and presides with 
grace over her pleasant and hospitable home. Six 
children have been born unto them, — Louisa, wife 
of J. B. Andrews of Auburn Township; Jennie, 
who graduated in book-keeping from the Sjjring- 
field College, was employed as teacher in that city 
for two years and is now attending college in Nor- 
mal, 111.; James, who pursued a business course in 
Springfield, is engaged in fruit culture in Enter- 
prise, Ore. ; John B., who also attended the liusi- 
ness College of Springfield, is engaged in the dairy 
business in Montana; Grace and Marshall are at 
home. 

Mr. Rauch used every opportunity whereby he 
might add to his capital and gain for himself a 
home. Previous to his marriage he engaged in 
teaching penmanslii|). He is still a fine artist in 
that line. He came into possession of the old home- 
stead of two hundred acres in 1859, and in the same 
j'ear in addition to the care of the farm took U|).>n 
himself another duty. — the care of a wife. His 
mother also remained with him, surrounded by lov- 
ing attention, uutil her death. The farm now com- 
prises two hundred and fifty-seven acres of well 
improved land upon which is a large two-story 
residence, and two barns the dimensions of which 
are 56x78 feet and 3()x84 feet. In addition to the 
raising of grain he eng.aged quite extensively in 
stock-raising and for over twenty years shipped 
from two to three car-loads of cattle each year. In 
1870 he built the sawmill which he yet owns, and 
in 1875 erected a mill and fitted it with machinery 



530 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



for shelling corn, but after five years befitted it up 
as a sorghum mill, .it a cost of 13.000. It is oper- 
ated b\- steam and has a capacity of eight barrels 
per day. He has manufactured as high as seven- 
teen thousand gallons per year, which he shii)ped 
by carloads to foreign markets. On embarking in 
this branch of business he abandoned that of stock- 
raising to a considerable extent, but still keeps 
upon his farm excellent grades of Poland-China 
hogs, good cattle, Shropshire sheep and English Shire 
horses. His business interests have been extensive 
and have prospered beyond his expectations, yet 
he has found time to devote to public duties. For 
years be served as School Director, was Assessor 
for one year and for three terms was Commissioner 
of Highw.ays. He is a member of the Masonic 
order of Virden and Secretarj- of West Grove 
Lodge, No. 3935, F. M. B. A. of Auburn Town- 
ship, of which his brother Andrew is President. In 
politics he is a Democrat. 

"^OSIAH PILLOW KENT. Among the many 
fine farms for which Wheatflcld Tovvnsiiip 
is noted is that of our subject, a view of 
which is shown on another page of this vol- 
ume and which has improvements of a high order. 
It is cultivated after the most approved modern 
methods, sc> as to bring in rich returns to its owner, 
who carries on general farming, and deals quite 
extensively in stock, having his farm well supplied 
with standard cattle. 

Mr. Kent is a native of this county, the city of 
Springfield being the place of his birth, and M.ay 1, 
1847, the date thereof. His parents, Jesse II. and 
Lydia A. (Walker) Kent, were among the early 
s<'ttlers of that city. His father was born in Ross 
County, Ohio, and his mother in Loudoun Count}', 
\». Mr. Kent was a prominent citizen of the 
county and was quite active in securing the capitol 
site in Springfield. Perrin Kent, one of his rela- 
tives, was an early Government Surveyor of this 
section and his work forms the basis of the i)resent 
divisions in McLean County. The father died in 
Springfield in 1886, at a venerable age, he being 



then seventy-seven years old. His wife died many 
years ago. They were the parents of five children, 
of whom two are living — Mrs. George W. Constant, 
of Illiopolis, and our subject. 

lie of whom we write passed his earlj' life in 
Springfield, and was educated in its schools. He 
was of an active, roving disposition, and when still 
quite young went to railroading on the Union 
Pacific. He finally made his way to San Francisco 
and there embarking on a ship, sailed down the 
western coast of the United States and Mexico, 
thence around the coast of South America, crossed 
the Pacific Ocean to the Chinese coast and from 
there returned to America. During this long voy- 
age he stopped at various places, and was at length 
chosen ship's writer on the "Pensaeola," a United 
.States man-of-war. The exacting duties of that 
position he filled with great efficiency. 

After Mr. Kent came back to this country he 
returned to the employ of the Union Pacific Rail 
Road Company for a short time and then joined 
Custer's command on an expedition as a scout. He 
had many exciting adventures with the Indians and 
at one time an arrow from the bow of a savage cut 
his mustache and took part of his teeth out. Again 
a bullet penetrated his leg below the knee, and he 
had other narrow escapes. After the close of his 
soldier life he mined successfully in Arizona and 
Mexico, but finally returned to Springfield and in 
1885 purchased the valuable farm on which he now 
resides. It contains two hundred and fifty-two 
acres of soil of exceptional richness and fertility, 
and the buildings upon it are of a neat and sub- 
stantial order. Mr. Kent raises fine crops and also 
good stock, paying much attention to that bmnch 
of agriculture. 

Mr. Kent has been twice married. He h.ad one 
son by his first marriage who is now living in Texas. 
The maiden name of the present wife of our sub- 
ject was Victoria A. Murrell. She is a native of 
Kentucky and the daughter of a Baptist minister. 
Her wedfled life with our subject has been glad- 
dened by the birth of three children — Lena, Hallie 
and James. Mr. Kent is a man of wide experience, 
has a thorough knowledge of his calling and occu- 
pies a high place among his fellow agriculturists in 
this community. He possesses a keen, intelligent 




RESIDENCE OF J. P. KENT,5EC. 9. WHEATFIELD TR SANGAMON CO. I LL. 




MAPLEGROVE FRUIT FARM, RES. OF WILLIAM 5. DYFR , SEC. 34. GARDNER TR SANGAMON CO.ILL. 



■ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



533 



mind, nnd as lie kept liis e3-es open durinn; his many 
travels, lie is possessed of a large fund of informa- 
tion and talks interestingl3' about what he has seen, 
when he is questioned about his journeys and ex- 
|)erience as a sailor and a soldier. Ho is a strong 
Republican in politics and is considered one of our 
best citizens. 



'^^^- 



-*T^ 



ul MLLIAM S. DYER. Maple Grove Fruit 
\/\l/l Farra, located six miles west of Springfield, 
V^v^ represented by a view elsewhere in this 
volume, is a well known source of fruit supplies 
for the city market. It is a beautiful place, where 
the n.atural loveliness of the spot has been enhanced 
by the tasteful arrangement of buildings, shrubs 
and trees, and the manner in which all are cared 
for. It consists of forty acres on section 34, and 
fifty-three and a quarter acres on section 35, Gard- 
ner Township, having a commodious residence and 
all other necessary buildings. One feature of the 
estate which may prove valuable to humanity in 
the future, is a medicinal well whose waters are to 
be analyzed by expert chemists, as it is thought 
they possess health-giving qualities that should be 
known to the world. 

Mr. Dyer is descended in the paternal line from 
John Dyer, a native of Germany, who after emi- 
gration made his home in Phil.adelphia. 1 he grand- 
father of our subject was Benjamin Dyer, whose 
wife, Maria Aikens, was the daughter of an Irish- 
man who became a large landowner in Ohio. The 
mother of Mrs. Benjamin Dyer was Margaret Rod- 
man, who was descended from Dr. John Rodman, 
a native of the Isle of Barbadoes, who settled in 
Newport, R. I., in 1682. lie afterward removed 
to Burlington, N. J., where he served as a King's 
Counselor in the Slate Assembly for eighteen years. 
The grandfather of this Dr. John Rodman was 
born in Ireland, imprisoned three months for con- 
tempt of court and then banished because he would 
not purge himself of the said contempt. He died 
on the Isle of Barbadoes, as did the members of 
the succeeding generation. 

Grandfather Dyer was killed in the War of 1812. 



His son Thomas, the father of our subject, was thus 
left an orphan when small. With his mother, he 
left the place of his nativity, Bucks County, Pa., 
for Muskingum County, Ohio, where he grew to 
manhood. He leai-ned the trade of a carpenter 
and became a master mechanic, noted for his fine 
workmanship. He made his home in Zanesville, 
contracting in Columbus and other cities until 1853, 
when he came to McLean County, 111. He engaged 
in farming ne.ir Bloomington and in 1868 removed 
to this county where he eventually died. He also 
understood the tnade of a cooper and carried on 
that business somewhat, both in Ohio and Illinois. 
He was a Class Leader in the IMethodist Episcopal 
Church. 

The suliject of this sketch was born in Muskin- 
gum County, Ohio, June 2. 1837, and inheriting a 
taste for handicraft, was early taught the use of 
tools, and became sufflciently skillful with them to 
make a barrel before he was nine years of age and 
perform other work not usual in such early life. In 
the summer of 1853, his father having located on 
a farm, it was left to our suliject to improve and 
carry on the same to a large extent, as the older 
Mr. Dyer continued to work at bis tr.ade. The lad 
broke the virgin soil and looked after affairs in 
general, later running three breaking teams of four 
yoke each for two or three seasons. He then drifted 
into the carpentering business, but about the time 
of the war went to Lji Salle Count3^ where he en- 
gaged in cliop[)ing cordwood and hen-ing railroad 
ties. He won the reputation of the best hewer 
and became so skillful that he made fift^- cents an 
hour. 

Mr. Dyer came to this county in 1871, put up a 
shop and carried on wagon-making and black- 
smithing one winter. He then began contracting 
and building, in which he was occupied until after 
his marriage earl}' in 1873. He then located on 
forty acres of his present estate, where he has con- 
tinued to reside, improving the place and making 
it more and more beautiful from year to year. 
Having decided to undertake fruit-raising, he 
thoroughly prepared thirteen acres of land for that 
purpose by grubbing out every stump, breaking the 
sod, thoroughly reducing the soil and planting the 
trees. In addition to orchard fruits, Mr. Dyer 



534 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



raises small fiiiits and has a fine collection of slirnb- 
bei-y. both useful and ornamental. He is the largest 
fruit-grower in the township, or indeed in the vicin- 
ity, and hasbeen very successful in this line of 
work. Having added to the extent of tlie estate, 
he devotes a portion of his land to the raising of 
crops and full-blooded Poland-China hogs. 

The wife of Mr. Uyer bore the maiden name of 
Edith B. Baldwin and became Mrs. Dyer February 
1-3, 1873. She was born in Gardner Township, 
February 26, 1837, her parents being Johnson and 
Elizabeth (Kendell) Baldwin, both natives of Ken- 
tucky, and descended from old Virginia families. 
Mr. Bal()win was born in Scott County, Ky., March 
25, 1797, and married there October 17, 1824. He 
came to this county, bringing bis stock in trade, he 
being a blacksmith, and bought land in Garilncr 
Township, where he lived two years. He afterward 
ciianged his location, becoming the possessor of 
three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land. 
He also carried on a shop on the farm, first occu- 
pying log buildings, but during his last years resid- 
ing in a fine brick house. He was an excellent 
man, of the Baptist faith and earnest in living ac- 
cording to his profession. The mother of Mrs. 
Dyer breathed her last in 1848. Her fatiier, Will- 
iam Kendell, was a well-known surveyor and also 
carried on a farm in this State. 

Mrs. Dyer is one of twelve children born to her 
parents, her surviving brothers and sisters being 
Mrs. Alissa Elliott, whose home is in Springfield; 
William, who lives in Kansas; Mrs. Harriet Smith, 
living in Gardner Township, this county; Mrs. 
Nanc3' Mull, now of Arlington, Kan.; Mrs. Emily 
Polling, living in Hancock County, tins State; Mrs. 
Susan Gilbert, whose home is in Reno County, Kan. 

Mr. Dyer belongs to the Illinois State Horticul- 
tural Association and the American Horticultural 
Association. In this section of country he is con- 
sidered an authority on matters connected with 
fruit-growing, as well he may be, his theories being 
proven on his own land. He is a very prominent 
member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Associa- 
tion, now filling the chair of President in Hope 
Lodge, No. 3055, and being a Representative to 
the County Assembly. In politics he is an Inde- 
pendent Republican. His religious belief is ex- 



pressed in the creed of the I'nion Baptist Church 
and he belongs to the organization of tliat body at 
Spring Creek. He has been a Trustee in the 
church. In addition to Maple Grove Fruit Farm, 
Mr. Dyer has other })roperty interests, owning real 
estate in East St. Louis and also in Castle Rock, 
Col. 

-^ "^-^ ^— 



OSEPH M. GROUT, A. B., A. M. This 
young gentleman is one of the most eminent 
attorneys in the city of Springfield, where 
i^^j)) he has been engaged in legal practice since 
1878. He is now a member of the law firm of 
Conkling & Grout, which is justly considered one 
of the most re[)utable and enterprising legal part- 
nerships of which the municipality can boast. The 
gentlemen who compose it are not only versed in 
law but are finely educated, mentally gifted and 
courteous. Mr. Grout possesses the social qualities 
which give bim popularity in the best society, and 
the manly character which insures the respect of 
those who know him. 

The natal day of our subject was September 21, 
1855, and his birthi)lace Mechanicsburg, this 
county. His father, the Rev. Joseph M. Grout, 
was a native of Westboro, Mass., and his mother, 
Miss Priscilla Thompson, was born in Montgomery 
County, Ky. The father was graduated from Yale 
College in 1840 and afterward studied theology 
preparatory to becoming a minister of the Presby- 
terian Church. He was one of the pioneer preach- 
ers in this section of the State, carrying on his 
work of love in this county and Morgan and Shelb3'. 
He had come here unmarried and subsequently' 
wooed and won the daughter of John Thompson, 
an old settler in this county. Mr. Grout died at 
Shelbyville before the birth of our subject and the 
mother breathed her last ten weeks afterward. 

The gentleman of whom we write lived with his 
father's people in Massachusetts until he was eight 
years old, then came West again and made his home 
with different relatives until he had grown to man- 
hood. He pursued his studies in the common 
schools, then at the Jacksonville, 111., Academy and 
College, from the latter of which he was graduated 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



535 



in 1876 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three 
years later the degree of Master of Arts was ctiti- 
ferred upon iiim. After completing his literary 
studies, young Grout read law in S|)ringfield with 
the old firm of lia^', Green & Littler, and w^as 
admitted to the bar in 1878. 

Immediately after being licensed to practice Mr. 
Grout formed a partnership with Thomas Sterling, 
the firm of Sterling & Grout existing until the fall 
of 1882. The juiiior member then formed a con- 
nection with Judge Rice, which lasted until the 
death of the latter, when our subject and George 
Barry were together a few months. Mr. Grout then 
carried on his legal work alone until July I, 1886, 
when the present partnership was formed. For four 
years Mr. Grout filled the position of City Attor- 
ney, in discharging the duties of which he mani- 
fested a commendable zeal for the true welfare of 
the citizens. 

On Jul3' 9, 1879, the solemn rites of vveiUock 
were celebrated between our subject and Mi-^s Flora 
Grubb, daughter of Samuel and I-Clizabeth (Drcn- 
nan) Grubb, of this cit}'. Mrs. Grout is a lady of 
high mental ability and culture, and pleasing social 
qualities. She has borne her husband two children: 
Anna and William Dixon. Mr. Grout is Worthy 
Master in Blue Lodge, No. 500, A. Y. & A. M., 
and also belongs to the Chapter and Commandery. 
He is likewise identified with the Knights of 
Pythias. 



OBERT CRAIG, a practical ami enterprising 
farmer residing ou section 34, Rochester 
Township, is of Scotch birth, and the third 
child in a family of nine children, whose 
parents, William and Mary (McLaughlin) Craig, 
were also natires of .Scotland, the former borji in 
the city of Glasgow. For some years they resided 
in that country, but at length determined to seek a 
home in the New World, of whose advantages and 
opportunities they had heard such excellent 
accounts. Crossing the broad Atlantic they landed 
in Quebec, Canada, then went direct to New York 
and for some years resided in Essex County, of the 
Empire State, until they determined upon a loca- 




tion in the West. The year 1855 witnessed their 
arrival in this county, and in Cooper Township 
they made a settlement, sulisequently removin<^ 
thence to Rochester Township, where the wife and 
mother died in 1^68, the husband in 1875. He was 
a public-spirited man and took a deep interest in 
all that pertained to the upbuilding of the county. 
In religious belief they accepted the doctrine of the 
Presbyterian Church and lived useful and consis- 
tent lives in harmony with their professions. 

Robert Craig was born in Glasgow, February 15, 
1836, and his early boyhood days were spent in 
that city. At the age of twelve years we find him 
en route for the New World in company with an 
older brother, James, and in all the years that have 
since passed he has never had occasion to regret the 
decision which brought him to this country. He 
worked upon a farm for several years in New York, 
in the employ of Edgar Blin, and on coming to this 
county in 1855 he again secured employment on a 
farm, which work he continued until the autumn of 
1862. On the 17th of October of that year he 
married Margaret Baker, who was born in Rochester 
Township, where her parents, Joseph and Eveline 
(Lyon) Baker, had settled at a very early day. 
Her father followed farming in Rochester Township 
until after the death of his wife, when he removed 
to Missouri, where his death occurred. 

After his marriage Mr. Craig rented land in 
Cotton Hill Township for two years, during which 
time, with the assistance of his worthy wife, he 
saved enough to purchase a farm and invested his 
earnings in land in section 34, Rochester Town- 
ship — a part of his present home. Having since 
extended its boundaries it now comprises two Iiun- 
dred and fourteen acres, and the improvements 
which have been made greatly enhance its value. 
In addition to a good residence he has erected barns 
and other outbuildings, introduced the latest-im- 
proved machinery and placed his farm on an equal 
with any in the township. He always keeps abreast 
of the times and for his success in life deserves 
not a little credit. He may trul^' be called a self. 
made man, for at the early age of twelve years 
without capital or influential friends to aid him in 
the conflict, he began the battle of life, and the 
word victory has been written upon his banner. As 



536 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



a citizen lie faitiifuUy discharges his duties and to 
the cause of education he is a warm friend. For 
many years he has served as School Director and 
done effective service in the interests of the schools 
of the neighborhood. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Craig are: Isabella, 
Mary, Emma and John, and they have buried seven 
children who died in infancy or childhood. 



<•«! felLLIAM R. BOWERS occupies an assured 
\/\/// position among the leading lawyers of 
^^^ Springfield, where he is associated in prac- 
tice with George A. Sanders. He is a native of 
Cass County, this State, born December 31, 1858, 
and a son of Joseph and Hannah (Gill) Bowers, 
natives of Manchester, England. They came to 
this country' in 1848, and the father, who had 
worked in the woolen mills in F^ngland, after coming 
here devoted himself to the congenial pursuit of 
agriculture during his entire life. He is now living 
retired in Cass County at the age of seventy-five 
years, and is enjoying the fruits of his early labors. 
His wife departed this life December 13, 1881. in 
her sixty-eighth year. Their ple.asant wedded life 
was blessed to them by seven children, of whom 
five are living, namely; Richard, a farmer in Cass 
County; James H., who is Superintendent of the 
Denver Transfer and Wagon Company at Denver, 
Colo; Mary A., wife of S. W. Sinclair, a farmer; 
Thomas O., a farmer of Virginia, Cass County; and 
William R. 

William R. Bowers gained the preliminaries of 
his education in the district schools of Cass County, 
and in the High School of Virginia. He was 
subsequently a student of the Illinois College, 
at Jacksonville, and was graduated from that 
institution with the class of '82. After leaving 
college he devoted two years to teaching in Cass 
County. He had already decided to enter the 
legal profession, and in 1883 he commenced the 
study of law with Sanders & Haines, and was 
admitted to the bar in January, 1886. January 1, 
1887, he entered into partnership with George A. 
Sanders, and they have a large general practice 



besides making a specialty of municipal bonds and 
railroad law. 

Mr. Bowers vvas married October 1.5, 1887, to 
Ella C. Bates, of Springfield, a daughter of Mrs. 
Mary Bates, a widow residing in this city. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bowers have an exceedingly pleasant 
home and to them has come one son, whom they 
have named Chester Arthur. Mrs. Bowers is a 
lady of much culture and a fine disposition. She is 
an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church 
of which she is a member. Mr. Bowers is iden- 
tified with that church] as an attendant at divine 
service there and as one of its liberal supporteis. 
Socially, he is a"Modern_ Woodman. He is promi- 
nent in politics as a'^Republican of the straightest 
sort. His fatherjias belonged to that parly from 
the time he could cast his first vote, which was in 
favor of Gen. John C. Fremont. 

ROBERT CONNOLLY, Justice of the Peace 
and Notary Public of Springfield, is active 
in the political and social life of this cityi 
and is well thought of by his associates and 
fellow-citizens. He w.as born in Ireland in April, 
1849, and there passed the first twenty -two years 
of his life. April 14, 1871, in the flush and 
vigor of an opening manliood, he sought his fortunes 
on American soil. He located first at Albany N. Y., 
and a short time after went to Troy where he 
was employed by I\Ir. Grant. He afterwards worked 
at the Penncoj'd rolling mills adjoining Philadel- 
phia, where he remained for some time in the 
employ of A. P. Robert's iron works. 

Our subject subsequently engaged .as an agent 
for Wanamaker & Brown, and also for C. A 
Saylor, of Reading, Pa., traveling for both firms 
at the same time. He continued on the road for 
over ten years after coming to Springfield and had 
his headquarters here. He accepted the position 
of Sujjerintendent of Letter Carriers in the Spring- 
fiel<l Postofflcc which position he held for over 
three years, resigning it May 4, 1889, to fill his 
present offices, whose affairs he is managing with 
characteristic energy and ability. 




3'o^c^'y^ y^^>-^ 



f -^^^^ '^(S>->-><^T-e^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



539 



Mr. Coanolly t.akes an active interest in politics, 
as every true citizen sliould, and favors the Ijemo- 
cratie.'party with Lis support. He is a member of 
the Ancient Order of Hibernians, District No. 2, 
Springfield, 111., of which liC is President. Relig- 
iously lie is a true Catholic and a member of the 
Church of the Immaculate Conception. He is 
prominent in social;and religious circles and con- 
tributes liberally to all enterprises for public good 
that come underjiis notice. 

He of whom we write has a pleasant home in this 
city and to the lady wiio presides over it, formerly 
Miss Mary Britt of this city, he was [^married in 
September, 1873. CI Four children have been born 
to them, — Mar}- A., Anna, Kate and Alexander. 



^^- 

^j^^ DWARD F. McCONNELL. It was a maxim 
K$] of the philosopher Voung, that "an}' man 
jvzzjj- C'ln ^lo what any other man h.as done." To 
the young people of to day, the life of our subject, 
whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, 
affords an excellent example of industry and per- 
severance and the rewards of unflagging zeal and 
enterprise. He owns and operates a fine farm 
of eleven hundred acres, comprising all of section 
23, and a part of sections 22 and 24, Chatham Town- 
sliip. The residence, a commodious and elegant 
frame structure, is pleasantly situated on section 
24. 

The proprietor of this large and valuaiile farm is 
of substantial Scotch-Irish descent, and is the son 
of James McConnell, a native of County Downs, 
Ireland. Grandfather Andrew McConnel was born 
in Ireland whereafter a long life he died. James Mc- 
Connell learned the trade of a weaver in Ireland, 
and in 1811, when less than twenty-one years of age, 
came to America, locating in New Jersey. He was 
in acompany in the War of 1812, but not in active 
service. In 1812 he went to Madison Count}', N. 
Y.. and engaged in farming near Eaton, where he 
resided until 1842. 

Coming to Sangamon County at the above-men- 
tioned date, James McConnell purchased land in 
Woodside Township, three miles from Springfield, 
and here remained until his death in 1867. He was 



a member of tiie Universalist Cliurcii, and a Repub- 
lican in politics after the late war. His wife bore 
the maiden name of Sarah Smith, and was born in 
Ireland whence, after her marriage, she removed 
to the United States. She bore her husband eight 
children, namely: Mary, Mrs. liuck, of New York; 
Sarah, the widow of F. B. Hoppin, and a resi- 
dent of Chicago; Edward F., our subject; An- 
drew B., who is in Springfield; Eliza C. Hoppin, 
who died in Talkington; John, now a resident of 
Springfield; Jane, Mrs. Fasset who died in Texas; 
and James who died when young. John served 
in the late war in the Third Illinois Cavalry, and 
w.as later appointed Colonel of the Fifth Illinois 
Cavalry. 

In Madison County, N. Y., where our subject 
was born April 30, 181G, he passed his youth, aid- 
ing his father on the home farm and gaining a lim- 
ited education. However, he made good use of his 
time while attending the Clinton Liberal Institute 
one year, and later increased his fund of knowledge 
by careful perus.al of our most prominent papers 
and magazines, and in this way he has become a 
well-read and thoroughly-jjosted man. He was 
united in marriage September 9, 1840, in Madison 
County, N. Y., with Miss Ann IIopi)in, a native of 
Madison County, and the daughter of Curtis Hop- 
pin. The latter, a native of Connecticut, was a 
farmer by occupation and followed his calling in 
New York, where he purchased a small place. 

In the fall of 1842 our subject sold bis property 
and came overland to Illinois. The trip was made 
with two horses and wagons, via Cleveland, Terre 
Haute, to Springfield. The winter was spent in 
AVoodside Township, and there he purchased four 
hundred acres in the spring of 1843. The place 
was wholly unimproved, and Mr. McConnell 
erected a house of hardwood and in various ways 
improved the estate. After improving the land he 
went into the sheep business, starting with only 
forty-five head which he brought from New Y'ork 
and raising the Merino breed principally. He 
kept as many as three thousand head and sold 
wool from his sheep for $115,000^ besides the mut- 
ton. When he first came here he was compelled to 
corral his sheep, as the wolves were very trouble- 
some. 



640 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Finding that the Merino sheep were troubled with 
foot-rot. Mr. JlcConnell sohl them .ind bought some 
of coarser wool, beginning witii five iiundred head of 
Oxford and Siiropshire breed. The sheep of tliis 
estate are of the best quality and Mr. McConnell 
frequently received premiums on liis Merinos. His 
father lirouglit the first Berkshire hogs ever in this 
county, and our subject is considerablj' interested 
in this business, raising about one hundred head 
each year. He liad twenty head of draft liorses, 
and ivceps some cattle, his farm affording excellent 
paslui'nge for stock. The McConnell and Iloppin 
families had at one lime over one hundred thou- 
sand sliee|) between them. 

Tiie large extent of land vviiich Mr. McConnell 
now owns he purchased at the price of from 83 to 
$3-2 pel' acre. Much of it is now rented, and lie 
employs one man to assist in the work. The place 
is neatly fenced and subdivided into lots and pas- 
tures. The Cliicago & Alton Railroad extends 
three fourths of a mile through the farm, the right 
of way being given to that road by our subject. 
One of the noticeal)le features of the farm is the 
grove near by and the fine orchard whose trees are 
in good bearing condition. 

Mr. McConnell has been married three times, his 
first wife dying June 4, 1853, and leaving one 
child, James, who received a splendid education in 
Galesburg College. Later he studied law in Spring- 
field, was admitted to the bar, and now is an attor- 
ney in Cliicago. Mr. McConnell was again married 
in New York in 1855 to Mis3 Marj' Hoppin, a sis- 
ter of the first wife and a native of the State of 
New York. He was married the last lime in Des 
Moines, Iowa, in January, 1879, to Mrs. Sarah 
Morse, the daughter of Archibald Storrs. Mrs. 
IMcConnell was born in Cortland County, N. Y., 
and was reared to womanhood in Madison Count}-. 
She is a most estimable woman and has many warm 
friends throughout the community. 

Mr. McConnell vvas a Democrat prior to the late 
war, since which time he has voted the Republican 
ticket. He has served his township and county in 
various capacities, has been a delegate to township 
and county conventions, served on the grand jury. 
etc. He is now School Trustee, in which ollice he 
has served to the satisfaction of the people for 




thirty years. He has represented his township on 
the Board of Su|)ervisois for one year and is a 
prominent member of the Grange. Religiously he 
and his wife are consistent members of tlie Pres- 
b3terian Church, and aid that cause both with their 
time and moue}'. 



ANIP2L V. WHITE. Among the younger 
ill farmers of the county, a good station has 
been attained by the gentleman above 
named, whose career in life has been marked 
with energy, prudence and i)ersisfent effort. His 
well-directed labors have resulted in the attain- 
ment of a good farm on section 23, New Berlin 
Township, where he is surrounded with those im- 
provements and home comforts which make life en- 
joyable. He is a native of the county, liorn in 
Island Grove Township, October 2. 1864, and has 
the |)roniisc of years of usefulness still before him. 
In Vigo County, Ind., in 1813, John D. White, 
tlie father of our subject, was born. Mary J. Luce, 
who became the wife of that gentleman, was born 
in Vermillion County, Ind., in 1828. Mr. White 
made quite an early settlement in this county, his 
first location being in what was known as Island 
Grove Township. He was possessed of no capital 
except his pluck and perseverance, and for some 
years he and his faitliful companion were obliged 
to practice the strictest economy and labor with 
untiring zeal, in order to build up their fortunes. 
For many years Mr. White operated his land in 
Island Grove Township, but some fourteen years 
since he removed to New Berlin Township and 
bought land near Bates, on which he now resides. 
His landed estate now consists of some three hun- 
dred acres, all improved and valued at 870 per 
acre. Although quite advanced in j'ears, Jlr. 
White is still active in body and mind, and is able 
to transact his business with the ability he displayed 
years ago. He is well known as a man of strict 
integrity, faithful to all )iis obligations in life. 

The parents of our subject reared four children, 
he being the first in order of birth. After attend- 
ing the public schools of the county, he entered the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



64i 



Commercial College at Jacksonville and completed 
a course of study in that institution. He remained 
a member of bis parents' household until his mar- 
riage, which event took place March 2d, 1887. IVIr. 
White had long been acquainted witli Elizabeth 
King, she having been one of his early associates, 
and he tlioroughly understood her worth of char- 
acter and the attainments which she possessed. 
Their marriage rites were celebrated in New Berlin 
Township, and their union has been blessed b}' the 
birth of a bright little daughter, who li.as been 
named Mary E. 

Mr. White manifests an intelligent interest in all 
whicli will tend to elevate the material or moral 
status of the community, and in his own life sets a 
good example of manly worth. He has been School 
Director for two years, and is discharging the 
duties of the office in a creditable manner. He lias 
always voted the Democratic ticket. For five years 
he has been identified witli the Presbyterian Church, 
while his wife has for about the same length of time 
been a member of the same society. 




ARION F. FUXK is prosperously pursuing 
his calling as a farmer in Loami Township, 
where he is held in high esteem for his 
" good citizenship. He is a native of Illi- 

nois, the place of his birth in Scott County and the 
date thereof January 26, 1835. His father, Jacob 
Funk, was born in Virginia near Strasburg. He 
located in East Tennessee when a boy, and from 
there came to this .State in 1831 and became one of 
tlie pioneers of Scott County, where he entered 
laud and improved a farm. He had made the trip 
from bis old home with a wagon and oxen, and 
when he arrived at his destination he had only fifty 
cents left. He was a man of industrious and per- 
severing habits and acquired a comfortable prop- 
erty, including two hundred acres of land. He was 
born September 7. 1808, and died March 27, 1886, 
at a ripe old age. He was a stanch member of the' 
Ba|)tist Church for nearly half a century, and for 
many years was one of its deacons. 

The Funk family originated in Germany. Tlie 



paternal grandfather of our subject, Samuel Funk, 
was a Virginian. He emigrated to Tennessee and 
was a pioneer of that State, and subsequently be- 
came an early settler of Illinois whither ho came in 
1831. He died in 1850 at a venerable age. He 
was a roppuiaker by trade and in the latter part of 
his life was a farmer. The mother of our subject, 
whose maiden name was Millie Mossier, was born 
in Tennessee March 21, 1811, and she isstill living 
in Scott County. She has been a Baptist for many 
years and has led a sincere Christian life. 

Marion Funk is one of a family of twelve chil- 
dren, of whom seven are now living. He was born 
in a log cabin in the wilds of Scott County, III., 
and was reared to a useful life amid the pioneer 
scenes of that section. AVhen a boy he went to 
school in a log sclioolhouse two and one-half miles 
from his home, and in that primitive building with 
its slab seats, puncheon floor and rude fireplace 
gleaned his education. At the age of twentj'-one 
he began life in earnest and the first 3'oar was em- 
ployed on a farm by the month. In 1856 the 
enterprising young man purchased eighty acres of 
land in Macon County, III., andw.as busily engaged 
in its cultivation and improvement for some three 
years, when he sold it at an advance. February 
23, 1860, he was married to Hannah J. Campbell, a. 
native of Illinois who was born in Morgan Count}-, 
daughter of William and Nancy (Reeder) Camp. 
bell, natives of Tennessee. Her parents came to 
Illinois in an early day, and her father, who was 
born in 1811, died July 22, 1887. He was a sol- 
dier in the Black Hawk War. He w.as a Baptist 
preacher and for many years taught the doctrines 
of his church. j\lrs. Funk's mother died in 1868. 
She had fifteen children, of whom eleven are liv- 
ing. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are the parents of six 
children, whom they have named Sallie A., Nellie 
S., Lewis C, Luther A., Mar^' B. and Nannie M. 
They have all had e.xcellent common-school advan- 
tages and two of the boys are successful]}' engaged 
in teaching. 

In 1863 Mr. Funk purchased one hundred acres 
of land in Scott County, 111., on which he lived 
seven years. September 1, 1870, he removed to 
Loami Township, this coifnty, and purchased his 
present farm which comprises one hundred and 



642 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



forty-Uvo acres of choice farming land on sections 
13 and 18, and is considered one of the best man- 
aged farms in the vicinit>-. Since settling upon 
his homestead he lias made all the numerous im- 
provements that have so greatly increased its value 
since it came into his possession. He has a neat 
set of farm buildings, and in 1880 erected a fine 
frame house wlierein lie and liis family have one of 
the coziest homes in this locality. J^ver since he 
began his career as a farmer he has engaged in 
stoclv-raising for the market and has met witli finan- 
cial success in that brancli of agriculture. 

Our subject is one of the leading politicians in 
this part of the county and has for many years 
talien a prominent part in the councils of the Demo- 
cratic party, and lias been a delegate to tiie last 
eight county conventions. He has been a member 
of the Baptist Church for thirty-seven ^ears. He 
is a man of warm licart and liberal hand, and is 
a liberal contributor to many charitable pur- 
poses. He has served on juries several times and 
was foreman of the last grand jury. In that 
capacity he signed two hundred and fourteen indict- 
ments in fifteen days. > 






4m- 




\1^^;ENP:DICT REICHERT is a fine representa- 
e of tlie German element that is helping 
to carry forward the extensive farming and 
stoclv-growing interests of this county. He 
has a large farm on section 36, Pawnee Township, 
which is in a fine condition and is one of the most 
valuable pieces of property in this vicinity. August 
29, 1828, was the date of the birth of our subject 
in Wittenberg, Germany. He grew to a manly, 
stalwart manhood amid the pleasant scenes of his 
early home and was there bred to the life of a 
farmer. He was ambitious to see something more 
of the world and to better iiis fortunes, so at the 
age of twent3'-four years he left the land of his 
nativity and sought this Mecca of so man)' of his 
countrymen. He landed at New York City and for 
tliree years was employed as a farm laborer b)' the 
month in the Empire State. At the expiration of 
that time he made his way to Illinois, shrewdly 



judging that on the rich soil of the Prairie Stale he 
could sooner attain independence and a compe- 
tency. For five years he was engaged in farming 
in Jersey County, and at the expiration of that time 
he bought the farm where he now lives in I'awnee 
Township. It comprises four hundred and twenty 
acres whose broad fields have been placed under a 
high state of tillage, and our subject has erected a 
good set of buildings and has every convenience 
for carrying on his farming operations. 

Mr. Reichert has had valuable assistance from his 
capable, energetic wife to whom he was wedded in 
Jersey ville, August 29, 1858. With her help he 
has established here a home where comfort abounds 
and whose pleasant hospitalities are often shared by 
numerous friends. Mrs. Reichert is, like her hus- 
band, a German b}- birth, her native place being 
Baden. Prior to her marriage she was Caroline 
Sauer and she was born January 22, 1836. She 
came to this country when she was fifteen j-ears old 
with her parents Hubert and Mary U. Sauer. The 
following eight children have come to her and our 
subject: Sophia, the wife of Bernhardt Ebe; Mary 
IT., wife of John Hendricks; Frederick W.; Caro- 
line; Theresa; George B., who died when about ten 
3'ears old; Nettie K., who died when twelve years 
old ; and Minnie A. 

In his career as a farmer j\Ir. Reichert has dis- 
played much shrewdness, forethought, and a capac- 
ity for untii'ing labor that have brought him a 
comfortable fortune. He and his wife are people 
whose daily lives are such as to command the re- 
spect of all about them. They are earnest mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church and are strong in the 
faith of their fathers. In politics Mr. Reichert is a 
Democrat. 



AVID FUNDERBURK owns and occupies 
an attractive estate in Cotton Hill Town- 
ship, consisting of two hundred acres of 
productive, improved land. The attention 
of the pnsser-b}' will be attracted by the orderly 
arrangement of the various farm buildings, and the 




^■^- 








'^oM. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



545 



fact tliat llicy aii'I the fences wliich outline the 
fields are kept in excellent repair. These facts 
alone are indicative of the tlirift anil industry of 
the owner of the estate, and lead an observer to 
conclude that he tliorouglil}- understands the details 
of his calling. 

Among the ver}* early settlers in this county was 
the late David Funderburk, the father of our sub- 
ject. That respected citizen was born in Orange- 
burg District, S. C, in 1795, and came hither in 
1819. Not long after his arrival Miss Hannah 
Hcnkle, a native of the Old Dominion, came to 
this section. This coni)le united their lives, es- 
tablishing a home on Horse Creek in Pawnee 
Township, and afterward removed to Cotton Ilill 
Township, where they died. Mrs. Funderburk 
passed away in September. 1873, and Mr. Funder- 
burk on November 16, 1883. They had a family 
of eight living children, our subject being one of 
the }-oungost members of the household band. 

TliC natal day of our subject was December 22, 
1839, and his birthplace Cotton Hill Township. ■ 
Here he grew to manhood and has alwaj-s resided, 
with the exception of three years spent in array ; 
life. Agriculture has been his life work. In Juij^, , 
1861, lie became a member of Company B, Eleventh 
Missouri Infantry, and with his comrades took 
part in the various duties of camp and campaign 
life during tiie ensuing three years. He met with 
severs! narrow escapes from wounds or death, and 
returned to his home unharmed by shot or shell, 
liut with impaired physical energy. 

The many virtues and acquirements of Miss 
Sarah A. Terry won the deep love of our subject, 
and his wooing proving successful, she became his 
wife June 11, 1868, the wedding ceremony being 
performed in Ball Township. Mrs. Funderburk is 
a daughter of David and Ann (Devinney) Terry, 
now deceased. Mr. Terry was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, Octolier 15, 1820, and died in this county 
in January, 1870. Mrs. Terry was born in New 
Jersey, April 4, 1821, and died in this county in 
September, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Terrj* removed from 
New Jersej- to tiiis State in 1853 and locating in 
this count}', continued to reside here during the 
remainder of their earthly existence. Tlie}' had 
seven children, of whom Mrs. Funderburk was the 



thiril, and her birth took place in New Jersey, 
December 8, 1848. Our suliject and his good wife 
have a large famil}', tlieir sons and daughters being 
named respectively, Minnie L., Addie L., Alice M., 
Josie II., Ethel S., David M., Earl, Edella G., Jesse 
E., Luther T. and Frances A., all living. 

In politics Mr. Funderburk generally acts with 
the Republican party. He attends the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of wliich his wife is a consistent 
member. A peaceable and law abiding citizen, 
a man of intelligence and energy, and one who is 
kindly in hi.s associations with his neighbors, our 
subject is regarded with respect in the community 
of which he is a member. 



lOBERT CASS ranks among the foremost 
^ grain and stock-raisers in the State of Illi- 
nois. He makes his home in Buffalo Heart 
Township, where he has an estate of four- 
teen hundred acres of valuable farming land 
.thatj is not excelled by any in the county. On 
his farm may be found some of tlie finest cattle 
and hogs in the county, that will also compare 
vrith those from an}^ other section. Mi'. Cass, 
whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, 
vyas born in Kentucky in 1821 and is a son of 
Archibald and Deborah (Mershom) Cass. His 
father was a merchant and hatter by occupation, 
and was one of the pioneers of this county, com- 
ing here in 1828 and settling near the home of our 
subject. He rounded out an honorable life in 
1852, while his wife survived him until 1861. 

At the early age of tliirteen j-ears our subject 
began life as a farm hand in the emplo}' of an 
uncle, with whom he continued nearly six years. 
He received his pay in stock and at the age of fif- 
teen years the value of his stock was such as to 
enable him to enter forty acres of land. At the 
age of .seventeen he returned to his father's farm 
and began life for himself. He was a lad of uncom- 
mon ability, keenness and foresight, and was a 
slirewd bu3'er and a good trailer. Thus the years 
that followed his establishment as a farmer have 
l)rought him wealth. The forty acres of his orig- 



546 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



inal purchase liave grown into an estate of four- 
teen hiUKlred acres that ranks as one of the most 
valuable i)ieeps of (iroperty in all the county. 
Here for many years he has been extensively 
enjrao-ed in stock raising; he has also paid a great 
deal of atteniion to breeding fowls and has the 
most remarkable lot of chickens to be found in this 
region, comprising from six hundred to one thou- 
sand Plymouth Rocks, which are a peculiar sight 
at feeding time. 

Mr. Cass vvas married in 1840 to Miss Sarah -T. 
Lawson, of Kentucky. With her he led a happy 
wedded life of more tlian forty years, which was 
terminated by the death of the beloved wife, May 
12. 1883. One son was born of their union — Noah 
M., who married Catherine Sharp and is living 
near his father. 

Mr. Cass is deservedly classed among the most 
valuable and useful pioneers of Sangamon County, 
and during a residence here of more than half a 
century he has done as much as any other man to 
advance its agricultural interests and place it upon 
an enduring financial basis. He has ahv.ays shown 
a progressive spirit, remarkable energy and busi- 
ness talent, and his name stands high in monetary 
circles. He is noted for his unfailing good nature 
and his liberality in dealing with men. He is a 
Republican, but is not conservative in his political 
views, generally voting for the candidate whom he 
considers best fitted for office, regardless of party 
artiliations. 



^^^HOMAS A. SHKPHKRD, though a young 
(§j^x man, «lre.ady occupies an .assured ijosit.ion 
^V^^ among the leading farmers of his native 
county, is in indejiendent circumstances and bid.s 
fair to become one of the large farmers of this sec- 
tion of the State. He is the proprietor of one of 
the best equipped farms in Ball Township, that is 
under the best of management and is finely im- 
proved. 

Tliomas B. Shepherd the father of our subject, 
was born in Shepherdstown, V.a.. and is a son of 
Thomas C. Shepherd. For a sketch of the life of 



his father see biography of T. C. Shepherd. Thomas 

is a name that has been in tlie family for several 
generations, our subject being the sixth to bear 
that cognomen. The Shepherds are of the first 
families of Virginia. Tlie father of our subject 
was one year old v,'hen he was brought to this 
county by his parents in 183G, the journej- being 
made b}' team and wagon. They located in Wood- 
side Township, where he engaged in farming as 
soon as old enough. In early manhood he bought 
land in Ball Township on the Pawnee Township 
line, where he has since been extensively engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. He is one of the 
wealthy men of his calling and is an extensive 
landowner, having six hundred and forty acres of 
land all lying in a body in Ball and Pawnee Town- 
ships. He is now fifty-five years of age and is liv- 
ing in a pleasant home surrounded bj' every 
comfort that heart could wish. In former years he 
labored hard to acquire wealth and his pioneer work 
contributed much to the development of this part 
of the county. He has made much money from 
his timber land; he used to sell cordwood and 
among his customers vvas Abraham Lincoln. !\Ir. 
Shepherd is a man of unswerving probity and of 
high i)rinciple. He is a firm Prohibitionist in poli- 
tics, and religiously' is of the Methodist Episcopal 
faith, one of the leading members of the church 
and a Superintendent of the Sunday-school. 

The maiden name of the mother of our sulijeet 
vvas Armenda Pyle. She is a native of St. Clair 
County, III., and a daughter of Alfred P} le, who 
was in his day a farmer in St. Clair County, III. 
Mrs. Shepherd is the mother of the following three 
children: Thomas A.; Annie E., now Mrs. David- 
son, of Pawnee Township; and Mar^- E., who is at 
home with her parents. 

Thom.as A. Shepherd was born in Ball Town- 
ship on his father's homestead December 4, 18G0, 
and vvas reared to manhood on a farm. He attended 
the district schools and was early set to work to 
assi.sl in the farm labors. He remained at home 
until his marriage in Ball Towship, J.'ccjmbcr 24, 
1883, when he established a home of his own. tak- 
ing unto himself on that date a wife in the person 
of JMiss Miriam M. Weber. Mrs. Shepherd is a 
native of Pawnee Township where she was born 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



547 



October 5, 1864. Her father. George P. Weber, 
vv.as a native of Springfield and a son of Jolin B. 
Weber who was born in She[)herdstown, Va., April 
7, 1810 He was a mechanic and a manufacturer 
of furniture in his native State whence he came to 
Illinois in 183G. In 1849 he left his pioneer home 
here and crossed the plains to California, where he 
ri'mained until 1851. He then returned to Ball 
Township and was a successful farmer. Notwith- 
standing the fact that while engaged in the manu- 
facture of furniture in Virginia he had lost his hand 
by accident, he was u very capable man, and got 
along well in the world. He was very prominent 
in public life and held various political offices. In 
1854-00-56 he was County Sheriff, and was 
(Juartermaster during the Mormon War. While 
the Civil War was waging he was a member of the 
Commissary Department. He was a conspicuous 
ligure in polities, was quite an orator and stumped 
the State with Abraham Lincoln. He was a stanch 
I{ri)ul)lican and also a great advocate of temper- 
ance. He was in e.irly life a Lutheran, but after 
coming to this county, joined the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Mrs. Shepherd's father was formerly a farmer, 
lie was an officer in the late war in which he bore 
;i g:\llnnt [tart serving Ihrough the entire conflict 
■A> d was Lieutenant of Company B, Eleventh Mis- 
souri Infantr3-. He had brothers also in the army 
and one. Col. A. .1. Weber, who was a member of 
the Tiiitli Illinois Infantry, was killed in-the battle 
of Vicksburg while his brother James was murdered 
on his way iiome after the war closed. 

After leaving the army Mr. Weber became an 
I'xtensivG farmer and a stock-raiser in Pawnee 
Township. In Februarj', 1890, he removed to Val- 
p:u-:iiso, Sanders County, Neb., where he is engaged 
in tlic banking and real-estate liusiness. He is a Pro- 
hibitionist in iiolilics and in all things is a man of 
great worth who is held in the iiighest esteem by all 
who know him. In earl}' manhood he married 
^■i(•l^la Meader a native of Pawnee Township. Her 
f.ilher Timothy Meader was born Novendier 25, 
1800, in Rociiester, N. II. He was reared there as 
a farmer and in 1834 came to Sangamon County. 
He was a very hard working and successful farmer 
in Pawnee Township, wlicic he was also the first 



merchant. lie rounded out a life of seventy-seven 
years in that place. Five children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. WeAier: Miriam M.; Sarah A., de- 
ceased; Timotiiy, a resident of Agnew, Neb.; Eli, 
living in Pawnee Township; and Eva, in Val|)araiso, 
Neb. 

In the fall of 1883 our subject bought the place 
on which he now lives, and has since made valua- 
ble improvements so that it is one of the best farms 
in the vicinity. It comprises two hundred and 
sixty acres all tillable, well cultivated land, on 
which he has large and conveniently arranged l)udd- 
ings, a windmill, etc., and all the latest improved 
m.achiner}-. Jlr. Shepherd also owns one hundred 
and ninety-four acres in Pawnee Township, which 
is finely developed and improved. Our subject is 
extensively engaged in raising and feeding stock, 
and is said to be a good judge of cattle and horses. 
He is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit 
Association, belonging to the Ball Hall Lodge. In 
politics he is prominently identified with the Pro- 
hibitionists of this locality and is an active mem- 
ber of the club here. Mrs. Shepherd is a lady of a 
lovable disposition, presides over her home with 
grace, and both she and her husband are very hos- 
pitable entertaining their friends right ro3'ally. 
She is a devoted member of the Methodist F^pisco- 
pal Church at Oak Ridge. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd 
are the parents of two children; Stella M., born 
December 25, 1886, and George W., August 16, 
1890. 



^RAXK HATCH JONES, one of the leading 
^•j attorr,e}'s of .Springfield, has been engaged 
in tlie practice of the legal profession in 
this city since 1879. He claims Illinois as the 
Stale of his nativity and is a representative of one 
of its early families. His paternal grandfather 
came to the State in 1833, and located in what is 
now the town of Griggsville which he founded, 
naming it in honor of one of bis friends. He is still 
living in that town and, although he has reached 
the advanced age of eighty-five years, is still in the 
enjoyment of excellent health .and unimp.aired men- 
tal faculties. He was origiiiallv afarmerand land- 



548 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



owner but in later life turned his attention to mer- 
cantile pursuits, dealing in agricultural implements. 
His wife, Mrs. Henrietta Jones, was called to her 
final rest in 1887. Thus after a long and happy 
wedded life of sixty-four years, in which the}' liad 
shared witii each other the joys and sorrows, the 
prosperity and adversity which is common to man, 
tliis worthy couple were separated. Their son 
George W. is the father of our subject. He was 
born in Massachusetts and came to Illinois in 1834. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Celia Bennett, is 
•a' native of the Empire State, and of their union 
have been born tliree children — William, who died 
in infancy; Fred B,, a resident of Chicago; and 
Franli H., of this sketch. George W. Jones is a 
prominent and influential citizen of tlie community 
in which he makes his home. For a number of 
years he held the office of Circuit Clerk of Pike 
County and is now Clerk of the Appellate Court, 
Central Grand Division, which position he has filled 
for the past twelve years and has been re-elected 
for his tliird term. 

Our subject, wlio is known as one of the leading 
j'oung attorneys of the Capital City, was born in 
Griggsville, Pike County, on the 6tii of March, 
18.54, and acquired liis primary education in Pitts- 
field, the county seat of Pike County, 111., being 
graduated from its High School. He early mani- 
fested a love of learning and the advantages of his 
boyhood were supplemented Ijy a course in Yale 
College, which he entered in 1871, graduating in 
1875. His choice of a life work fell upon the pro- 
fession of law, and after re.iding in the office of 
Higbee & Wikc, of Pittsfleld, for a year he entered 
the Columbia Law Scliool of New York, and after 
a year became a student in tlie Chicago Law 
School. Tlie succeeding 3'ear, 1879, he was admit- 
ted to the bar and opened an office in Pike County, 
but after six months he removed to .Springfield 
where he has since made his home and been associ- 
ated in his profession with Bliiford Wilson, ex- 
Solicitor of the United States Treasury. Mv. Jones 
is a clear thinker, a logical reasoncr and a forcible 
speaker and has won the respect and confidence of 
his clients and business associates. He makes his 
profession a daily study and the knowledge he has 
acquired in regard to law might well be a subject of 



envy with many an older practitioner. In political 
sentiment Mr. Jones is a Democrat and a stanch 
supporter of the party principles. In the district 
convention which convened in the fall of this3'ear, 
1890, he was nominated for the Legislature and 
elected. We feel that he will ably represent the 
people of the district and State. 

The honored wife of Mr. Jones was in her maid- 
enhood Miss Sarah I. Bunn, daughter of Jacob 
Bunn, President of the Illinois Watch Company. 
Their marriage was celebrated in October, 1882, 
and the young couple, who are widely known in 
the Capital City, rank high in the social world. 
Mr. Jones has been a member of the Sangamon 
County Democratic Committee and Chairman of the 
same. In 1888 he was elected President of the 
State League of Democratic Clubs of Illinois, and 
for three years was Secretary of the Illinois State 
Bar Association. 




$iHOMAS D. YREDEN BURGH. This gen- 
tleman has recenti}' become identified with 

the financial affairs of Loanji as a banker and 

grain dealer. He opened a banking house with a 
capital of 850,000 backed by such personal stand- 
ing as gave it at once an assured place in financial 
circles, and promised a prosi)erous future for the 
infant institution. During his ^-outh Mr. Vreden- 
burgh had the advantage of business training under 
his father, who was for some time closely identfied 
with tlic commercial life of Springneld, and he 
therefore began his late enterprises with a mental 
capital of business knowledge and tact, as well as 
enterprise and good jiulgment. 

Before outlining the life history of our subject 
some statements regarding his progenitors will not 
be amiss. His father, John S. Yredenburgh, was 
born in New Jersey in 1809, and his mother, A. 
E. Doremus, in the same State in 1811. In 1832 
this couple came to Illinois, bringing with them the 
two daughters which at that time comprised the 
family. Their household was subsequenti}' in- 
creased by the birth of six children, our subject be- 
ing the fourth of this numlier. The father entered 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



549 



two hundred and forty acres of land in Curran 
Township, this county, and operated it for ten 
years. He then moved to Springfield and wliile 
continuing his agricultural work became a dry- 
goods dealer in that cit^'. He also became a 
partner in the lumber firm of E. R. Ulrich <fe Co. 
and continued in the business until liis death. His 
demise occurred in March, 1879. He liad been a 
member of the City Council twelve years and had 
served as Mayor several years. He was highly es- 
teemed by all who knew him, as a man of excellent 
business qualifications and fine character. The 
mother of our subject passed away October 4, 
1880. 

The gentlen)an of whom wc write was born in 
Curran Township March 1.5, 1841. His boyhood 
and early youth were spent in tlie manner custom- 
arj' to farmers' sons, and his later youth in attend- 
ance at the city schools and eujo3'ing commercial 
training in his fatlier's places of business. Prior 
to his enlistment in the army of his country he was 
interested in the lumber liusiness with liis father. 
Whi'U the war cloud settled over the nation, lie 
became a member of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, en- 
listing as a private in Company B. He was soon 
promoted to the rank of Sergeant and his (jrouio- 
lions continued until he hati advanced stei) by step 
to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. 

While in the service our subject took [lart in 
many severe and bloody I'onfiicts and lie also en- 
dured the trials of [irison life during a period of 
fourteen mouths. He was captured at the siege of 
Vicksburg and learned the peculiarities of different 
places of captivity until his release in 1864, at 
which time he was confined in the county jail at 
Slireveport. La. In 18G4-65 he was Judge Advo- 
cate on Gen. West's staff. His record as a soldier 
was that of a man obedient to every command and 
brave in battle, vvhilc as an oftieor his braver}' was 
not lessened but shone with greater brilliancy when 
he led his troops to the battle's front. 

After the war Col. Vredenburgh returned to this 
county and engaged in mercantile work to which 
he continued to devote himself until recentlj', when 
he turned his attention to the enterprises which add 
to the commercial standing of Loami and are rec- 
ognized as among her most important industries. 



He votes the Prohibition ticket and is confident 
that ho will yet see the day when the party of his 
choice will be supreme in power and the curse of 
the liquor traffic will be swept from our lantil. On 
JNIay 2;i, 18G(i, Mr. Vredenburg was married to 
Maria Reynolds, an estimable woman who was born 
August 19, 1844, in Gettyslnirg, Pa. They are 
blessed with one son, William R., born in Febru- 
ary 1867, who is engaged in the lumber trade in 
Springfield, III. 

EDWARD W. BROWN. This gentleman is 
a native of Illinois, of Southern extraction, 
' with family Jines reaching through tlie 

Jamestown and Baltimore colonies to England. 
Education liberal, tastes moral, occupation farming, 
married. He has fairly entered his business career 
and considers a period much nearer the probable 
end of his life, a more appropriate time for further 
words in this relation. 



*^* ¥ ' ! * ! '***" 




EDBETTER BRADLEY who resides on sec- 
tion 35, Gardner Township, is one of the 
earliest settlers of this [lart of the county 
and vvjih its history and progress he has been prom- 
inently identified. He was born near Rutherford, 
N. C, on the 17th of JMarch, 1826, and many of 
the scenes of his childhood daj's in North Carolina 
are siill engraved on his memory although he was 
only eight j-ears of age when he left his native 
State. His father, Terry Bradle}' and his grand- 
father, Simmons Bradle}'. were also born in North 
Carolina and were of English descent. The latter 
was a farmer but not a slaveowner. Terry was 
reared to manhood upon his fathet's farm and after 
attaining to mature years became owner of landed 
possessions in Rutherford County, but in 1834 lie 
disposed of his property in North Carolina and 
emigrated to Sangamon County, 111. He purchased 
the farm now owned by our subject, then compris- 
ing one hundred and sixt^' acres and after seeing 



550 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his family comfortabl^y settled in the log cabin 
tui'ned his attention to the development of the land 
whicli liecontinned until Ins death in tlie spring of 
1835. His wife, whose maiden name was Cidoe 
Kiliott, was also born in Rntlieiford Count}', N. C, 
of which State her fatlicr, .John Kiliott, was a native. 
He was a slaveowner and wealthy planter of that 
State, and died in tlie prime of life leaving a family 
of ten children to tlie care of Ids widow, who re- 
mained on the old homestead until her death which 
occurred in 1864, at the age of eighty-five years. 

Eleven children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Bradley — Simmons who died in Gardner Township; 
Mrs. Sarah Riggs, who died in this county; William 
whose death occurred in Missouri; Winnie, who is 
married and lives in Dallas County, Tex. ; Richard 
died in Kansas; Jonathan who was living in Texas 
at the time of the breaking out of the late war, was 
pressed into the rebel service and, though ill at the 
time, was forced to travel and died on the march 
through Louisiana; Melinda who died at tlie old 
home; Mrs. Rhoda Brundage, whose death occurred 
in Dallas County, Tex.; Ledbetter of this sketch; 
Mrs. Elizabeth Duff and Mrs. Ehnira Morgan, of 
Wilson County, Kan. 

As before stated, the Bradley family emigrated 
to Illinois in 1834, making the journey in wagons 
across the country. They crossed the Oiuo River 
at Louisville and the Wabash at Terre Haute, cami)cd 
out at niglit and in the latter part of October reached 
the city of Springfield, which however was at that 
time a mere village. 'J'he country was 3'et compar- 
atively wild and unsettled, game of all kinds was 
plentifid and wolves and foxes were yet seen. The 
educational advantages which our subject received 
were such as the early schools of that day afforded. 
.School was held wherever a building could be ob- 
tained for the purpose during the first ten years 
after his arrival in the county, after which it con- 
vened in the Methodist Church, a log building, 
very crude in construction. The clothes of the 
family at tliat time were made by the mother and 
sisters and the arduous task of develoi)ing the wild 
land fell to the lot of father and sons. Mr. Brad- 
ley was early inured to hard work and his labors 
were for the benefit of his parents until twenty-one 
years of age when he began life for himself. He 



operated the home farm, giving one-third of the 
income derived therefrom to his widowed mother. 
Subsequently he purchased the shares of the other 
heirs. Oxen were used in breaking end plowing 
the land and the farming implements of that day 
bore little resemblance to the irai)roved machinerj'^ 
of the present. He continued farming in this 
county until 1851, when he went to Texas; the first 
of the famil}' to locate in that State. The journey 
was made by rail, flatboats and on horseback. He 
located in Dallas County, where for two years he 
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, being very 
successful in his undertakings. In the meantime 
his brother and two sisters with their husbands 
went South, which left his mother alone and in 
consequence he returned to Illinois, resuming the 
management of his farm, 10 which he has added 
many useful and ornamental improvements that 
greatly enhance its value. He is now the owner of 
two hundred and seventj'-three acres of fine land, 
all under a high slate of cultivation, with excellent 
buildings, beautiful groves and springs of never- 
failing water and his home is pleasantly situated 
within five miles of the State Capital. 

The experiences of jiioneer life are not unknown 
to Mr. Bradley. He has witnessed almost the en- 
tire development of the county and here has met 
with prosperity which ranks him among the sub- 
stantial citizens of the community. The first mono^^ 
he ever earned was paid to him by Abraham Lincoln. 
During his boyhood he spent a great deal of his 
lime at the home of his uncle in Springfield Town- 
ship, where Mr. Lincoln once came to purchase a 
cow. He asked the uncle if "Led," as the lad was 
then called, could not help him lead the cow to 
town. Assent was given anil on reaching his home 
Mr. Lincoln asked, "What do I owe you?" The lad 
replied, "Nothing, sir," but Mr. Lincoln, reaching 
down into his pocket handed out a quarter telling 
him to go and buy candy. Ledbetter felt nather 
backward about accepting the money, but Mr. Lin- 
coln insisted and he thus earned his first quarter. 
He was then a lad of nine years. Another lime he 
h.ad a business transaction with Mr. Lincoln. It 
was customary in those days to cut and split a load 
of wood which was then taken in town to sell. Mr. 
Bradley driving with a load to Springfield one cold 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



.iol 



winter's moining' was overtaken hy a storm. The 
wind l)lew, the snow was fallino; heavily and tlie 
yontli, having not }-et effected a sale did not linow 
what to do. Just then Mr. Lincoln came .ilonii' and 
seeing the predicament that he was in at once pur- 
chased the load. It was such little acts of kind- 
ness as this that endeared the future President to 
the hearts of the people. 

In 1856, in Gardner Township, Mr. Bradley was 
united in marriage with Martha T. Archer, daughter 
of Robert Arclier and a granddaughter of William 
Archer, a native of Tennessee wiio owned a large 
plantation and a great numlier of slaves in that 
State. Fler father wdien a young man, prior to the 
admission of Illinois as a State, came to this county 
on horseback, carrying his clothing in the old- 
fashioned saddle bags, together with a set of tinker's 
tools, lie located in Sangamon County and made 
the first settlement in Gardner Township on what 
is now section 26. Surrounded by Indians on every 
side, he built a log house and began farming. At 
the time of his death, which occurred in 18,")0, he 
was the owner of a good farm of two hundrecl and 
twenty-six acres. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Matilda Duff, was a native of Soutii Carolina, 
and a daughter of Abraham and Gertrude (Combs) 
Duff, who were also born in that State. Her father 
was a farmer and blacksmith and removed from 
Kentucky to Illinois in the early part of the '20s. 
He settled in Belleville, but afterward came to 
Sangamon County, where he broke land and |)lant- 
ed a crop and then returned for his family. He 
was a member of the Methodist Church and bis 
wife belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian. 
They were the parents of three children — Klizabeth 
J., who became the wife of R. Brown and died in 
this county; Bennett C, who died at the age of 
eighteen j-ears; and Mrs. Bradley, who was born on 
the 14th of Ain-il, 1830, about a quarter of a mile 
from her present home. The girls of those days 
all learned to spin and she became quite an expert 
in that line. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bradley were born seven chil- 
dren — Bennett C. who owns and operates eighty 
acres of land in Macon Count}', 111.; Annie who 
became the wife of Thomas Gregor}-, died in Ma- 
con County, and was buried in Gardner Township; 



Klizabeth is at home; Louie is the wife of Isaac 
Gregory, Gardner Township; Walter is a farmer in 
the same township; Laura and .Jackson are at home. 
For the long period of twenty years Mr. Bradley hss 
served as School Director and the cause of education 
finds in him a warm friend. He has made his way 
in the world, gaining a comfortable competency, has 
reared an intelligent and respected family of chil- 
dren and has made for himself a place among the 
ranks of the best, citizens of the county. In poli- 
tics he is independent, inclining toward J.^emocratic 
sentiment, and his wife is a member of the Metho- 
dist Church. The Bradley household is noted for 
its hospilaKly and the pleasant entertainment which 
is furnished its guests, and the friends of the fam- 
ily are manv. 



iJU'.^L- 



=■71^-,— 



-^ 




AVID MILLER and his wife are the for- 
tunate owners of one of the fine farms of 
Curran Township, consisting of one hun- 
dred and thirty-five acres on section 33. 
It is about equally divided into cultivated land, 
pasture and timber land, and is devoted to the 
two-fold purposes of grain and stock-raising. Good 
buildings have been erected upon it and the laiest 
improved machinery is used in carrying on the 
work. The fine li;irn. 32.x48 feet, was built in 
1887, and the substantial, home-like dwelling in 
1890. Everything upon the place indicates the 
thrift that has acquired and the good judgment that 
carries on the estate, and leads the passer-by I i de- 
cide that the owners are people of proniinence.Muiong 
agriculturists. 

Our subject is the second of six children bo; ii to 
Martin and Elizabeth (Brelsford) Miller. The 
father was engaged in farming in Coshoctnn 
County, Ohio, for many ytars, but a short time 
before his death removed to Holmes County. In 
e.arly times he was accustomed to do teaming from 
Ohio to Pennsylvania. In politics he was a Demo- 
crat. Mrs. Miller was the daughter of a German 
who, after emigrating to this country, carried on a 
farm in the Buckeye State. She died when the son 
of whom we write was seventeen years old. The 



562 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



other monibers of the parental honseliold were 
Priscilla, formerly the wife of Alva Severin, who 
dierl ill Fulton County, this State; Mrs. Margaret 
Mavis, now living in Os.nge County, Kan.; Mrs. 
Sarah J. Hammer, whose home is in Ohio; Mrs. 
Nancy Litrel, who resides in Spiingfielrl, this State; 
Mrs. Melissa Gregory, living in Shawnee County, 
Kan. 

The gentk'inan of whom we write was born near 
Walhonding, Coshocton County, Ohio, January 28, 
1838, and until he was nineteen yeais of age re- 
mained on the home farm, hel[)ing his father in 
various labors connected therewith and attending 
the district school, chiefly during the winter. He 
was then apprenticed to a carpenter who came to 
Illinois in April, 18.57. Young Miller accompanied 
him to Curran Township, this county, and woriced 
with him thirteen months, at $8 per month. His 
employer thei ran short of work and wished the 
young man to pay his board, so Mr. Miller deter- 
mined to begin for himself. His first job was one 
that his former boss had expected to get, and from 
that he continued contracting two years. The 
charms of Miss Mahala J. Smith, daughter of John 
Smith, a farmer in Curran Township, had made 
their impression upon the heart of Mr. jNIiller and 
he wooed and won that lad\' for his wife. The 
marriage was celebrated at the bride's home, Janu- 
ary 5, 1860, and the young couple establislied them- 
selves on the farm of the bride's father, which was 
carried on by our subject thirteen years. 

Mr. Miller also did contracting at his tr.ade dur- 
ing this period, thoroughly establishing his repu- 
tation as a builder and also being well regarded as 
an agriculturist. In 1873 he located where he is 
now living, buying thirtj'-five acresof unimproved 
land. A few years later, by his marriage, he became 
the owner of one hundred acres additional, upon 
which he has made the various improvements which 
it now bears. He rents other lands adjoining, 
operating from two hundred and fifty to three liun- 
dri'il acres, and carrying on quite extensive opera- 
tions in both grain and stock-raising. His principal 
crops are corn and wheat. Both cattle and hogs of 
good grades are raised, and about a dozen head of 
horses suitable for general purposes are kept each 
year. The work of the estate necessitates the almost 



constant use of three or four spans of horses. The 
family dwelling is about three and one-half miles 
from the town of Curran and thirteen from the 
city of Springfield, thus giving the members of the 
houseliold the opportunity to enjoy whatever they 
desire in the instructive and recreative affairs of 
the town. 

Two sons and a daughter comprise the family of 
Mr. and Mrs. Miller. They bear the names of John 
M., Thomas E. and Lillie M. All still form a part 
of the parental househuld, although John is married. 
They make up a band of intelligent, social people, 
whose home is a favorite gathering place and one 
wherein the beauty of domestic life is seen. Mr. 
Miller is a general favorite, as he is possessed of 
great affability, has jirogressive ideas and an abun- 
dance of energy which overflows from his personal 
affairs to effect good in civil life. In 1886 he was 
elected Supervisor on the Democratic ticket and 
served in that capacity three successive years. 
During that time he was Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Roads, llighw.aysand Bridges. He filled 
the office of Township Collector for two years, was 
Commissioner of Highways six j-ears and has been 
School Director twelve years. He is now identified 
with the Prohibition parly, strongly advocating 
temperance reform. Mr. Miller belongs to the 
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association at Curran. 
lie belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Mt. Zion, is a Trustee and has been Sujierin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school for some years. The 
building in which tlie society vvorships w.as built 
by him in 1870, and is one of the monuments to 
his skill in carpentry which stand in this vicinity. 

iiEWELL D. SCALES, M. D., of Spring- 
field, has acquired a high reputation as a 
specialist in catarrh, head, throat and lung 
(@/ diseases and has a large practice, not only 
in this city but even beyond the limits of the 
county. He is a native of Williamson County, 
Tenn., born February 1, 1844. In his youth he 
was given excellent educational advantages and 
was graduated from the College Grove High School. 





BEIRTRAND DAWSON 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



He then took up the sturiy of meiHcine with his 
brother, Dr. S. W. Scales, of College Grove, and 
afterward attended medical lectures at Nashville. 
The war interfered with his studies, but he gained 
much practical knowledge of his profession and 
had an experience in military hospitals that has 
been invaluable to him in his after career as a phy- 
sician. Although he was not twenty years of age 
he had charge of a hospital two years as assistant 
surgeon. After the war lie abandoned his profes- 
sion for a time and went into the wholesale grocery 
business at Memphis, Tenn., where he continued 
till 1876, when he was driven out bj- the yellow 
fever. 

The Doctor then resumed his old vocation, open- 
ing an office at Roodhouse, 111 , and during seven 
or eight years that he remained there he built up a 
large and lucrative practice and was busily engaged 
nearly all the time, having all the patients he could 
attend to. He subsequently' removed to Lincoln 
where he gave his attention exclusively to head, 
throat and lung diseases. lie soon acquired an ex- 
tensive notoriet}^ on account of the success that fol- 
lowed his treatment of ditiicult cases and found it 
necessary to seek a more central location, as he had 
patients from far and near. He therefore came to 
Springfield in 1888 and established himself here. 
He has elegant and commodious offices and is well 
supplied with all the finest instruments used in the 
treatment of the diseases alluded to. The Doctor 
was young when he left college and having been 
refused a diploma on account of his youthful age 
it was necessary for him to pass an examination 
before the State Board of Health before he could 
legally practice his profession in this State. He is 
well read in therapeutics, has always kept abreast of 
the times in the medical world, and with his experi- 
ence in the hospitals and subsequent practice has 
an unusually extensive knowledge of his profession 
and he had no difficulty in sueces-sfuUy passing the 
rigid examination prepared by the State Board of 
Health. He attained a high rank, answering eighty- 
six per cent, of the questions and was one of the 
thirteen of the thirt3'-five who took the examina- 
tion who passed at Champaign, 111., in 1878. 

Dr. Scales and Miss Dora D. Young, daughter of 
the Rev. Acton Young, of Tennessee, were married 



January 8, 1806. To them have come two chil- 
dren — Robert B., in business in a dry -goods store. 
and Pearl, wife of H. G. Moore, of Kansas Cit^'. 
Dr. and Mrs Scales have a chaiming well-furnished 
home and are people of good social standing in 
this city. 

^ERTRAND DAWSON. During almost his 
entire life Mr. Dawson was an honored resi- 
'((^Jll dent of Sangamon County, coming of one 
of its early pioneer families and well known 
for many years as one of its leading farmers and 
stock-breeders. His untimely death, October 3, 
1882, was a severe blovv to the interests of the 
count)". 

I\Ir. Dawson was born April 2.5, 1827. a native 
of Kentucky, and came to Illinois in his infanc}'. 
his family being one of the early pioneer families 
and possessing wealth and influence. Bertrand 
began life as a farmer on a farm in Mechaniosburg 
Township, on which the greater part of his life 
was passed, and which he improved and beauti- 
fied to a great extent. Early in life he manifested 
great interest in the stock business and began the 
improvement of his stock. His success was sucli 
that he became wideh' known as an intelligent 
and successful breeder of fine roadsters. His farm 
consisted of four hundred acres of highly culti- 
vated land, finel)' located near the station of Daw- 
son, which was named in honor of his family. 
His estate is underlaid with coal which his enter- 
prise helped to discover and develop. He became 
one of the wealthy men of the town, and was a 
potent factor in its advancement. 

Mr. Dawson was a man of excessive modesty 
and a retiring disposition, and only his family and 
intimate acquaintances knevv his true worth. He 
had a high sense of honor, was kind and chari- 
table in all things, and his life record was with- 
out a flaw. A man of his sturdy, upright character 
and sound mental calibre was fitted for civic life 
and his fellow-citizens appreciating that fact often 
called him to fill positions of honor and trust 
within their gift. He never neglected an oppor- 
tunity to advance his township and was especi- 



556 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ally interested in seluiol work. He was one of 
the most valualile members of the Christian Church 
and though he has passed away bis influence is 
still potent for good in the eomiiuuiity where he 
spent all his life. 

Mr. Dawson ^as married .lanuary !), 1879, to 
Miss Kate Rea. a native of Missouri. She was 
finely educated in a i)rivate school and was a 
successful and honored teacher prior to her mar- 
riaoe. Her union with our subject brought to 
them two children— David R. and Bertraud, one 
of whom died in infancy and the other, a child 
of rare promise, at the age of four years. Since 
her husband's death Mrs. Dawson has taken up 
tiie work left by him and is managing it with 
more than ordinary success. She lias built a cozy 
brick house on the site marked by her husband 
.at the end of a beautiful avenue of maple trees, 
planted by his iiand. 

The many friends of the late Mr. Dawson will 
be pleased to notice his portrait on another page 
of this volume. 



^- 



iULHJS W. LUPTON. This worthy son of 
old settlers of Sangamon County is pleas- 
antly located on a good tract of land in 
^^J Pawnee Township and successfully prosecu- 
ting tlie calling of a farmer. His estate consists of 
one hundred and seventeen acres on section 7, 
whereon the various improvements have been made 
that are usual in this rich agricultural region. Dur- 
ing his early years Mr. Lupton became well 
acquainted with the details of farm management, 
his father being a tiller of the soil and one who 
understood the art of developing the resources of 
the land which he cultivated. It is not a matter of 
surprise, therefore, to find our subject taking a 
stand among the prosperous men of the commu- 
nity. 

Our subject is a son of .lonah Lujiton, who was 
born in Hampshire County, Va., January 3, 1805. 
In the same county Maria George was born Maj' 
15, 1807. This couple determined to unite their 
jives and fortunes and began their wedded life in 



their native county, continuing to make it their 
home till 1854. They then came to this county, 
settling in (lotton Hill Township, but after a 
sojourn of five years changing their residence to 
Pawnee Township. The farm which they iiave 
occupied consists of two hundred and forty acres of 
well- improved land and they were surrounded by the 
many comforts which their honest and useful lives 
merit. Both were reared under the teachings of the 
Society of Friends and believed and practiced 
the faith which was inculated in tlieir minds in child- 
hood. Jonah Lupton departed this life at his home 
on November 19, 1890. They have had four living 
children, — Hannah, Rebecca, Mercy and Julius W. 
The first-born is now the wife of James J. Lu|)ton. 
One son, Job S., was removed from them by death 
when about twenty-two years old. 

The natal da}' of our subject was February 6, 
1849. and his birthplace Hampshire County, Va. 
He came to this county with his parents when a 
child five years of age, and, growing to manhood 
here, was educated in the schools of the county. 
He was married in Pawnee Township September 15, 
1875, to Louisa, daughter of Alexander and Mar- 
garet (Lochridge) Smith. The parents of the l)ride 
were born respectively in Tennessee and Kentucky 
and came to this State with their parents in quite an 
early day. They.' spent the greater part of their 
wedded life in C'liatham Township, where their 
daughter Louisa was born April 23, 1854. She is 
the sixth child in a family comprising five sons and 
three daughters. J She was carefully reared and 
taught much useful domestic knowledge as well as 
the book learning in wliich instruction is given in 
our schools. 

After their marriage ^Ir. and Mrs. Lupton 
settled where they are still living and where they 
have made for themselves and their children a com- 
fortable and happy home. The houseliold band 
that brightens their dwelling consists of two daugh- 
ters and a son, named respectively: Cora I., Amos 
S. and Bessie G. ISIr. Lupton is much interested in 
the school question and other topics upon which 
the welfare of the community depends and endeav- 
ors to decide every question in accordance with the 
laws of right and justice. He is one of the School 
Directors in his district and exercises the right of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



557 



suffrage ivitli the Keiniblieans. IMis. Liipton is a 
member of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, wMiich 
lier liusband also attends and whose various phases 
of benevolent work both join in aiding. 



Li^^HEODOllE isTEPHENS, a prominent farmer 
!r'^\\ of Auburn Township, residing on section 
Ns^i/ 16, is a native of Penns^dvania. He was 
born in Franklin County, April ], 1845, and is a 
son of George W. and Martha (Patterson) Stephens, 
the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of 
Franklin County, Pa. The Stephens family is of 
German descent and the Patterson family was 
founded in the Keystone State at an earl}' day. 
George W. Ste|)hens was a man of more than ordi- 
nary ability. lie made his own way in the world 
and from an humble position rose to one of promi- 
nence. At an early age he went to Pennsylvania 
and entered the ministry of tiie Missionary Baptist 
Church, and after being ordained accepted the i>as- 
torate of a church in Chambersburg, Franklin 
County, where he remained several years. Think- 
ing to provide better opportunities forliis children 
in the spring of 1 848 he came to the West and after 
making preparations for a home for his family in 
Scott County, 111., was joined by his wife and chil- 
dren in the following autumn. His first charge was 
at Exeter, and after a year he removed to Man- 
chester, where in connection with his ministerial 
labors he engaged in operating a carding mill in 
connection with William Hicks. That partnership 
continued several years and their business pros- 
pered. About this time Mr. Stephens joined the 
Protestant Methodist Conference but shortly after- 
ward he returned to the ministry of the Baptist 
Church. He purchased a farm near Manchester 
which he placed in charge of his sons, while he 
made his home in the town, attending to the work 
connected with his church. In June, 1878, he was 
called upon to mourn the death of his wife. He 
then made his home with our subject for a year, 
after which he was a second time married and re- 
turned to Manchester. Later he purchased ten 
acres of land in Loami Township, where he is now 



living a retired life. Until within a year he con- 
tinued i)reaching the gospel but is now totally 
blind. He is a fine scholar and one of nature's 
noblemen who has devoted himself untiringly to 
the work of the JMaster. 

There were seven children born unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Stephens: Annie, who was drowned near 
Lane's Mill, Pa., in childhood; Mary, wife of W. 
A. Lester, of Chatham; John, a farmer of New 
Berlin. who enlisted in 1861, in Company CTwenty- 
eighth Illinois Infantry, was wounded in tlic left 
ankle and served three years; Theodore, of this 
sketch; Mrs. Sarah Gibbs, who died in Scott 
County, 111.; James and Andrew, who died in 
Manchester. 

Theodore Stephens has spent almost his entire 
life in this county. He was a babe of throe years 
when the family came to Illinois and uj^on his 
father's farm was reared to manhood. He acquired 
a good common-school education in Manchester, 
and at the age of fifteen years began life for him- 
self. In 1862 they removed to a farm and he op- 
erated the same for his father until twenty-one 
years of age, when he left it to make a home of 
his own. In Winchester Precinct, Scott County, 
on the 25th of January, 1866, he was joined in 
wedlock with Miss Caroline Wilson, a native of 
Greene Count}', 111., and a daughter of Greenbnry 
and Mary (Block) Wilson, who emigrated to Greene 
County from Kentucky and shortl}' afterwar' re- 
moved to Scott County, where Mr. Wilson worked 
in a stone quarry. He died in the prime of life. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stephens were born two chil- 
dren: Martha, who died May ;], 1890, at the age of 
twenty-three years; and iMary, wife of John Wilson 
of Loami Township. The mother died just seven 
years previous to the death of the eliler daugliter, 
passing away in the same hour of the da}'. Mr. 
Stephens was a second time married in January, 
1885, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Fannie 
Smith, daughter of Lewis Gibbons. Their union 
was celebrated in Bois d' Arc Township, Mont- 
gomery Count}-. 

About 1866 our subject came to Sangamon 
County, settling in Berlin Township, where lie 
rented land some four years. In 1870 he rented 
one hundred and ninety acres of land in Auburn 



,"558 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Township, which lie continued to operate for eight 
years. He then removed to his present home on 
scstion 16, where lie rented a one liundred and 
sixty acre tract for ten years. At the end of that 
time he i)urcliased the farm, but after a year sold 
the north half. He no v has eighty acres of valua- 
ble lanil, highly improved and cultivated, with a 
good house, barns, other outbuildings and a fine 
orchard. It is pleasantly situated about two miles 
from Auburn and a glance at the place indicates 
the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who is re- 
garded as one of the prominent and progressive 
fanners of the township. His principal product is 
coin and to stock-raising he gives considerable at- 
tention, raising good grades of horses, cattle and 
hogs, his specialties being Short-horn cattle and 
Poland-China hogs. In political sentiment Mr. 
Stephens is a stalwart Republican. His friends in 
the county are man}' and his home, presided over 
by a most estimable lady, is the abode of hos- 
pitalil}'. 




NDRKW V. SMITH. The dwellers in the 
great commercial centers of our land are 
apt to think that the homes of the denizens 
of the farm lands are devoid of comfort 
or convenience. That this is a mistaken notion is 
easily shown to one who will visit the well settled 
parts of the country, as he cannot fail to observe 
estates whereon good buildings, often of modern 
architecture, neat fences and fruitful orchards and 
fields, betoken the thrift and prosperity of the 
dwellers there, and testify to their enjoyment of the 
good things of life. Such is the case on the estate 
of the gentleman above named, who owns a farm 
in Cotton Hill Township. 

Our subject is of Southern birth and descent. 
His parents were William M. Smith, a native of 
Virginia, and Ann (Greer) Smith, who was born in 
Dlount County, Tenn. Tlieir first home after mar- 
riage was in Tennessee, whence they removed to 
Decatur, Ala. There the husband and fatlier died ; 
the widowed mother survives at an advanced age. 
They had six children, of whom our subject is the 



third in order of birth. His natal day was April 
27, 1839, and his birthplace Knox Count}-, Tenn. 
He grew to manhood in his native State, learning 
useful lessons of conduct and acquiring a fair edu- 
cation in the common schools. 

Early in manhood Mr. Smith won for his help- 
mate Mary E. Hart, daughter of George and Ellen 
(Akens) Hart, who was born in Monroe County, 
Tenn., July 23, 1840. The marriage rites were 
solemnized December 20, 1860, and the young 
couple settled in Blount County, making that their 
home for about four 3ears. They then removed 
to this State, choosing a location in Greene County, 
but after a sojourn of five j-ears, changed their 
place of abode to Benton County, Ark. Five years 
later they came to this county, this being in tiie 
fall of 1874, and established themselves in Coojjer 
Township. Some live years afterward they became 
residents on the farm they still occupy. Farming 
has been the life work of Mr. Smith and he is well 
versed in all its requirements. He owns two hun- 
dred and eighty-three acres of excellent land, on 
which stand good buildings and where a comfor- 
tal)le support, together with something for a rainy 
day, is gained. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been identified with the 
Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch since 1876, and are 
held in good repute by tiieir associates in and out 
of the church. Mr. Smith casts a Republican vote. 
He has been useful in the community as a School 
Director, ami is interested in whatever will advance 
the best good of the dn-ellers in this vicinit3^ 




NTONIO L. NUNES DE VIVEAROS. 

The biographical writer is always pleased 
111 to record the worthy deeds and successes 

in life of mankind, and particularly when 
adverse circumstances have been bravelv met and 
overcome, and the most manly traits of char- 
acter exhibited under reverses of fortune. It is 
therefore with more than usual pleasure that a brief 
outline of the life of the gentleman above named is 
included in this volume. He owns and operates a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



559 



fertile tract of land on section 20, Cotton Hill 
Township, whereon he has inafle many improve- 
ments and prosecutes his calling successfuU}'. 

The natal day of our subject was li'ebruary 16, 
1849, and his birthplace the Island of Madeira. In 
1853 his parents emigrated to tliis country, choos- 
ing as their place of abode a tract of land in Mor- 
gan County, this State, about one mile north of 
.Jacksonville, There our subject spent his life un- 
til 1866, busying himself in the usual manner, gain- 
ing various kinds of knowledge and striving to fit 
himself for his future career. In the spring of 
the year mentioned he went to Missouri, where he 
worked by the month until the middle of October 
of the same year. The following spring he re- 
turned to this State, rented land in Island Grove 
Township, this count}% and settled upon it. He de- 
voted himself industriously to tilling the soil, until 
Ihe spring of 1873, when, having met with re- 
verses, he lost nearly all that he had gained. 

Mr. Nunes De Vivearos then removed to Spring- 
field Township but after residing there a year 
made a second change, taking up his abode in 
Chatham Township. A twelvemonth later he es- 
tablished liiraselfin Fancy Creek Township, whence 
in 1877 he returned to Chatham Township. The 
next year he returned to Island Grove Township, 
where he pursued his calling six ^ears, by the expira- 
tion of which time he had fully recovered from his 
former losses. The ensuing lluee 3'ears were spent 
liy him in Ball Township and he then located per- 
manently on the land he now occupies. He bought 
one hundred and ninety-five acres of land, the 
most of wliich is on tiie section before mentioned as 
his home. He gives his attention to farming and 
stock raising, carefully managing every part of his 
estate and reaping the reward due to his thrift and 
perseverance. 

The lady who exhibits her skill and affection in 
the uvuiagement of home affairs bore the maiden 
name of Klizal)eth DeGou veia. The rites of wedlock 
• were celebrated between her and our subject in 
Jacksonville, Maich 13, 1872. Mrs. Nunes De 
Vivearos was born in Springfield Januar}- 1, 1852, 
is a lady of cultured mind, pleasing manners and 
(ill!' cliaractpr. The union has been blest by the 
birth of five children — Francisco L., Robert C, 



John E., Clara M. and Charles A. All are living 
except the last named, who died when five years 
old. In their sore bereavement the parents are 
consoled by their belief in a meeting be3'ond the 
river of death, in a land where partings will be no 
more. 

The political allegiance of our subject is given 
to the Prohibition party, as he is convinced that 
fhe liquor question is the most vital one now before 
the people. In former years he was a Republican. 
He belongs to the society of Modern Woodmen of 
America. Both he and his wife hold membership 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church and are held in 
good repute by those who know them. 



'^:>'^^Vt^i:t5<^ 



/^ HARLES M. BOWCOCK, M. D., entered 
[l( upon his professional career in Springfield 

^^/J some years ago, ami though a young man 
has already attained considerable eminence in his 
calling, as he is well grounded in medical knowledge 
and is skillful and intelligent in applying it. 

Dr. Bowcock was born in Clarksbuig, W. Va., 
June 15, 1758, and is tlie son of Dr. J. M. and 
Anna S. (Baker) Bowcock, also natives of the Old 
Dominion. His father is a well-known physician 
in those parts and is jjrominent among the medical 
men of that section. To him and his wife have 
been born six children — Ida, John W., Charles M., 
Lizzie, Stella, and Floride. The two sons seem to 
have inherited the talent of their father, as both 
are successfully practicing medicine. John W., be- 
ing one of the leading |>hysicians at Clarksburg, W. 
Va. 

Charles M. Bowcock was given superior advan- 
tages for obtaining an education. He attended tlie 
common schools and then became a student at an 
academy, and at one time was under the instruction 
of a private teacher at home. He early displayed 
a taste for his father's calling, and prei)ared him- 
self for its duties at the celebrated Jefferson Medi- 
cal College of Philadelphia, one of the best institu- 
tions of the kind in the country, from which he 
was graduated in 1882. Whilst in Philadelphia he 
had a fine hospital training in the Pennsylvania 



666 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and Hamilton .Street hospitals, which was a valuable 
experience for him and gave him an opportunity 
for practical study which has had a marked effect 
on his after career and has contributed no little to 
his success. Soon after leaving college the Doctor 
establislied himself in Springfield and has been in 
active practice ever since. He is still an earnest 
.student, devoting his leisure moments to keeping 
himself informed in what is going on in the medical 
woild. He is a pleasant addition to the social ele- 
ment of this city, and his gentlemanly, considerate, 
and kindly nature has gained him man^' warm 
friends. The Doctor was married October 21, 
1890, to Miss Carrie Zintzer, daughter of Dr. Zintzer 
of Baltimore, Md. 




!»iEORGE W. IIESSER, a farmer and stock- 
raiser in niiopolis Township, stands among 
jA!j the foremost men in his calling in this 
county. He was born in 18;33 at Berryville, Fred- 
erick Count}', Va., to Samuel L. and Ann Maria 
(Slagle) Hesser. His father was a native of the Old 
Dominion and his mother was from Hagerstown, 
Mil. On June 6, 183G, Samuel Hesser came to 
Springfield, 111., with his family and for twent^'- 
Tive years [)ursued his trade and then retired to a 
larm in tliis county. He closed his eyes in death 
at Buffalo in 1871. He was a charter member of 
the first Masonic lodge in the county and was a 
man of high repute who was highly' esteemed by his 
fellow citizens. The mother of our subject is still 
living and makes her home in Clear Lake Township 
with her son, John D. Hesser. The nine children 
horn of her marriage are all living except Edmonia 
E., who died July 4, 1864, and are widely scattered 
in different parts of the country. 

George W. Hesser grew to man's estate in this 
county and received an excellent education in a 
private sehool taught by Francis Springer, who is 
still a resident of Springfield, 111. He learned the 
Carpenter trade of his father, and carried it on until 
1860, when he began farming. For twenty 3'ears 
he was stationed at Mechanicsburg, but in 1880 
came to Illiopolis Township, and has since carried 



on his farming and stock-raising here. He began to 
devote his attention to fine Short-horn cattle in 
1877, and of this he now makes a specialty, his 
herd of thoroughbreds being one of the finest in the 
county. He also raises standard Berkshire hogs 
and Oxford-down sheep. He brings a keen intel- 
lect to bear upon his work and is carrying on farm- 
ing after the best scientific methods, as is shown by 
his model farm of one hundred and sixty acres of 
choice land, which is well improved and under a 
high state of cultivation. 

On May 15, 1860. our suliject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Caroline Morgan, a native of 
Mechanicsburg, coming of one of its first families. 
The children born of this marriage are as follows: 
Byron B., who was a telegraph operator and was 
killed by the cars April 8, 1880, at the age of nine- 
teen J- cars; Jessie Maria is at home with her par- 
ents; Homer H., in business at Illiopolis; Arthur A. 
and Clara Belle are both at home; George Samuel 
died in infancy. Mr. Hesser is a man of more than 
ordinary intelligence with enlightened views on 
various subjects, and brains and business tact, com- 
bined with steady industr}', have brought him to 
the front. His fellow-citizens, recognizing his abil- 
ity and su[)erior business qualifications for civic 
life have repeatedly called him to positions of 
responsibility and he has held nearly all the offices 
within their gift. At present he rei)resents the 
interests of Illiopolis Township as a memlier of the 
County Hoard of .Supervisors. Politically he casts 
his vote and influence on the side of the Republican 
party. 



11 OHN WENZLER, a public-spirited and enter- 
prising member of the farming community 
of this county, has devoted his life to agri- 
cultural pursuits in which he has been very 
fortunate, and is the proprietor of as good a farm 
as can be found within the limits of Pawnee Town- 
shii), his homestead being located here on section 
32. Mr. Wenzler is of German birth and antece- 
dents. He was born in the old city of Wurtemburg, 
December 2a, 1840. His early life was passed in 
the F:ithi'rland, where he I'cceived excellent educa- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



561 



lional advantages. When he was thirteen j'ears old 
he came to America with his nncle Matiiias Wenz- 
ler, and lived with him a short time in the State of 
New York. In 1854 he made his way to Illinois, 
and for a year and a half worked in Coles Countj', 
doin^ chores and having the privilege of attending 
school in winter that he might gain a better knowl- 
edge of the English language. After that he came 
to this county, and continued to work out until 
1S60, when he located in Pawnee Township, and 
began farming on his own account. He has ever 
since been a resident of this place, and is now 
classed among its' leading farmers and stockmen. 
He has made substantial improvements on his home 
farm, has erected commodious and well-made build- 
ings, including a handsome and conveniently ar- 
ranged residence. He has three hundred and twenty 
acres of land in Sangamon and Christian Counties, 
and from his well-tilled fields reaps good crops that 
bring him in an excellent income. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Elizabeth 
Clouse, was solemnized in Pawnee Township, March 
7, 187 !•. Mrs. Wenzler is a native of this county, 
and was born April 28, 1852; they began their wed- 
ded life where thej- now live, and the jileasant 
years that have followed since they established 
themselves here have brought them four children; 
two are still living, John F. and Pearl E. Mr. 
Wenzler is regarded as one of our best citizens, as 
ho is always heartily in favor of whatever will 
enhance the prosperity of his adopted township and 
contrilailes liberally to all feasible schemes for its 
improvement. He lias served the public well as a 
Scliocil Director. Politically he is a stalwart Re- 
publican. In religion, although reared a Catholic, 
he is liberal in his views, and contributes to the dif- 
ferent denominations in his neighborhood. 



' OHN HARDTNER, a wealthy capitalist at 
Springfield is a Director in the National 
Bank, is half owner of the pure ice manu- 
factory, and has extensive interests in vari- 
ous parts of the country. He was born in Wurtem- 
burg, Germany, August 1, 1811, and is a son of 



Leonard and Johanna (von Sehein) Hardtner. The 
family came to America in 1818, and located in 
Baltimore, Md. The father of our subject followed 
gardening, and gave his entire attention to land- 
scape gardening. He died in the city of Washing- 
ton in 1822. His widow survived him many years 
dying in Ciuistian County, 111., in 1875. They 
were the paretits of three children, two sons and 
one daughter, all of whom are dead except our sub- 
ject. 

John Hardtner attended school in Baltimore, and 
at first went to a private school that was taught un- 
der the auspicies of the Lutherans, and after.ward 
entered Washington College, from which he was 
graduated in 1831 as a doctor of medicine. He at 
once commenced the practice of his chosen profes- 
sion near Annapolis, Md. A year later he removed 
to Kent Count}', where he remained one year, and 
then came to Illinois. Hs landed at Carrollton in 
Greene County in 1834, havipg made his way to 
that place by stage and steamboat from St. Louis 
and by a market wagon. He was accompanied 
hither by his young wife whom he liad married in 
Kent County in 1832, her maiden name being Eliza- 
beth Walker. He continued to be a resident of 
Carrollton, of which he was an early settler from 
1834 until 1872. For eighteen years he was actively 
engaged in the practice of medicine, and the remain- 
der of the time devoted himself to dentistry. 

He is not only an able professional man, but he 
possesses more than ordinary talent in business 
affairs, and during his residence in that place 
acquired a large and valuable property. His inter- 
ests are widely scattered, as he has about ten thou- 
sand acres of land in Kansas, having disposed of 
thirty thousand acres which he formerly owned in 
that State, and he has a section of land in Christian 
County, besides [)ossessing other valuable property. 

In 1872 our subject removed to Springfield de- 
signing to retire from business, but he has not done 
so wholly, as a sedentary- life does not at all suit a 
nuin of his active temperament, and he is still kept 
busy looking after his various interests. He has 
one of the most beautiful homes in the city, his 
handsome residence with its lovely surroundings 
invariably attracting the attention of strangers who 
visit .Springfield. Mr. Hardtner was in former 



8(52 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



times a Whig, but on the formation of tlie Repub- 
lican party he became one of its members, and lias 
ever since advocoled its principles. 

Our subject's first wife departed this life in their 
liorae in Carrollton in 18G5. The maiden name of 
his present wife was Fannie B. Waller, and she is a 
native of Greene Country. By this marriage one 
daughter has been born, Mary Joanna, by name. 



^^=©<-.. 



# 



(Jp^^iURNEY ENGLISH. This gentleman is a 
m(^\ r"'0™i'i'-'nt real-estate dealer and auctioneer 
X^>^ in Springfield, his office being located under 
the Leland Hotel. He has been thus engaged for 
twelve 3 ears, lias been doing a line business for 
some time, and is reajilng the reward which close 
atttntion to iiis occupation merits. His business 
aliility is undeniable, his raetliods honorable, and 
his energy unbounded. Mr. English was born in 
Carrollton, Greene Count}', this State, August 22, 
11S30, and reared amid the surroundings of rural 
life, his father being a farmer and a prominent 
dealer in horses and cattle. The parents of our sub- 
ject are Lindsav H. and Arabella (Turney) English. 
Tlie lad grew to maturity in his boyhood home 
and in the vicinity pursued his studies, acquiring a 
good practical education. He remained with his 
father, assisting the latter in his occupation, until 
he was about twenty-five years old then engaged in 
the drug business in the i)lace of his nativity. Prior 
to this time, however, when but eighteen 3earscld, 
he had spent some two years in Texas, although be 
still consiilered liis father's house his home. In the 
Lone Star Stale he had charge of the first four-in- 
hand express which run from Tyler to Marshall. 

After a short time spent in the drug business 
I\l r. iMiglish vvent to Kentucky where he sold dry- 
gooils. He next located in Ottawa, this State, 
where he remained eight j'cars, his time and talents 
devoted to official business. He was De|)ut3' United 
.States Marshal under the two administrations, also 
DeiJuty Sheriff a great part of the time and City 
Marshal during six of the eight years. Following 
this Mr. English was in the Government service in 



Chicago three 3'ears, and was thence transferred to 
Springfield in the Paymaster's department, in 
which he was acting at the close of Ihe war. For 
a number of years after that time Mr. English was 
General Agent in the freight department of differ- 
ent railroads entering the city, but finally abandoned 
that work and engaged in the real-estate and auc- 
tion business. 

At the bride's home in Ottawa, November 11, 
LS55, Mr. English was united in marriage with 
Miss Jane L. Pyncheon. This lad}' possesses manj' 
noble qualities of mind and heart, and has been 
faithful to the best interests of her famil}' as well 
as kindly and benevolent to neighbors and those in 
need. To Mr. and Mrs. English five children have 
been born, two of whom died in infancy. Lindsay 
T. died in Wasliington, D. C, November 17, 1889, 
at the age of thirty -three years; he was Clerk of 
the House of Representatives at the time of his 
decease. The living members of the farail)' are 
Fanny, now the wife of Colburn F. Buck, of Louis- 
ville, Ky., and Cora E., who is 3et with iier jiarents. 
The various members of the family belong to the 
Episcopal Church. 



jURKE VANCIL, a 3'oung man of talent and 
well read in law, is one of the most promis- 
|(^)lFi ing you'iS members of the legal profession 
^^iSi^ now practicing in Springfield. A native of 
this .State, he was born in Macoupin Count3' March 
28, 1803, and is a son of Imri B. and Elizabeth S. 
( Rice) Vancil, natives respectively of Illinois and 
Virginia. The Vancils were originally Kentuckians 
and can trace back their ancestry to Germany. 
Imri Vancil was a farmer by occui)ation. He was 
the father of the following four children, — EflBe, 
OIlie, Ida and Burke. 

He of whom we write passed his bojdiood days 
in his native count3'. In the local schools he laid 
the solid foundation of a liberal education and 
finally became a student at Blackburn University, 
from which he was graduated in the class of '86 
with a high rank for good scholarship. The legal 
profession had many attractions for this young man 




Q>r(n(6U>^i^ (M^^OAAO^^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



565 



of clear brain and vvell-balanceil mind, and lie began 
to prepare himself for its duties by reading law with 
Orendorff & Patton. He subseciuonti}' attended the 
Wdsleyan Law School at Blooraingloii, and was 
graduated from that institution in the class of '.S9 
well prepared for the life before him. 

After his gi-aduation from the law school, Mr. 
Vaneil opened an ottice in Springfield in the month 
of July the same ^ear. and formed a partnership 
with H. F. Dikis for the practice of his profession. 
His ))artner died in the month of May, 1890, and 
Mr. Vaneil is now carr3'ing on his legal business 
alone. He has already secured quite a large clien- 
tage and lias won a good reiiutation for a substantial 
knowledge of the law asapi)lied to the various cases 
that he has been called upon to present to the 
courts, and for his honorable and straightforward 
course in all matters pertaining to his calling. In 
politics he is a pronounced Democrat. Religiously 
he is a Presbyterian. 



-s*i^*«s's^ 



'^5«t»<^*)S-r 




DAM BRAUGHTON. The portrait on the 
ojiposite page represents a gentleman who 
has been exceedingly prosperous since he 
came to this county many years ago while 
yet a youth, and who is now one of the well-to-do 
farmers of this section. By his able management 
he has not only improved a valuable farm, but has 
been no unimportant factor in extending the agri- 
cultural interests of this region. He is an honored 
lesident of Williams Township, where he has owned 
and occupied his present farm the past thirty years. 
Our subject was born in Franklin County, Ohio, 
June 1, 1S;30. His father, William B. Braughton, 
was a native of Maryland, anil went to Ohio in its 
pioneer da}'s when he was sixteen years old. He 
was there married to Lydia Cramer, a native of 
New Jersey, who died in 1833, at the age of twentj'- 
five years. She was the mother of three children, 
of whom our subject is the only survivor. The 
father was again married in 183s, taking as his wife 
Nancy Dean, by whom he had two children who 
died in infancy. Mr. Braughton came to Illinois 
with his family in 18l(i. and was one of the carlv 



settlers of Williams Township, where he bought 
land and developed a good farm. He lived to sec 
the county well-improved, and finally passed away 
in 1883 at the venerable age of eiglit^'-four years, 
leaving behind him the record of a life well spent. 
He was a true Christian and a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for years. 

Adam Braughton was born in a log cabin amid 
the pioneer scenes of Ohio, and obtained his educa- 
tion in the primitive schools of those days, which 
were taught in log houses i udely furnished with 
slab seats, etc. He remained with his father until 
he was twenty-four j-ears of age, being of great 
assistance to him on the farm, and after that worked 
by the month as a farm hand for a year. In 184G 
he accompanied Lis father from the old home in 
Ohio to this county, driving across the countrj' 
with a team. He began his career as a farmer on 
his own account by renting land in Williams Town- 
ship in 1855. He bought his first land in the 
spring of 1860, and now owns one hundred and 
seventy-six acres of well improved land in this 
county and a good farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres in Rice County, Kan. He has been quite an 
extensive landowner in his time, and gave each of 
his three sons one hundred and sixty acres of land 
when they started out in life on their own account. 
He has paid much attention to raising stock of good 
grades, and has found it a profitable business. 

Our subject takes great interest in his home and 
family, and is a man of quiet, domestic tastes. He 
was very fortunate in the selection of a wife in the 
person of Miss Nancy Taylor, to whom he was wed- 
ded August 17, 1854. Mrs. Braughton is a native of 
this county, born November 28, 1834, and a daugh- 
ter of one of its earliest settlers, Simeon Taylor, a 
native of South Carolina, who came here before 
1818. He departed this life August 5, 1881, at the 
venerable age of eighty-six years. Mr. and Mis. 
Braughton have been blessed by a numerous fam- 
ily of children, of whom the following are living: 
William M., George W., Adelbert C, Emeliiie, 
Ethel. Arvila and Nellie J. An otherwise happy 
wedded life has been shadowed by the death of 
five of their children, namely — Mary E., .Simeon L., 
John A , James A. and Charles E. 

■Mr. Braii;;liton is in u\\ respects an u[)right. 



566 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



straightforward man, sincere and conscientious in 
all his dealings, and no one can bring aught against 
his eiiaracter, or can impeacli his standing, wliich 
is of the highest in this community wiiere he is so 
well known and respected. In all his doings he 
shows himself to be guided by liigh principles, and 
in him the C'liristian Church finds one of its most 
sincere members. He is a Good Templar, and is 
strongly in favor of temperance or of anj- otlier 
needed reform. In his political views lie is a Demo- 
crat. 

■VT^RASTU.S WILLIAMSON is proprietor of 
|i=S] the largest livery, l)recding and training 
/I I — --^ stable in Souihern Sangamon County. He 
and his partner, Mr. Johnson, are doing a large 
business, not only in Auburn, where their interests 
are centered, but in the surrounding countr}'. He 
was born in Pike County, near Pittsfleld, February 
26. 1843. His father, John P. Williamson, was a 
native of Hamilton C<junty, Oliio, his birthplace 
Iving twelve miles north of Cincinnati. He was 
the son of Amos Williamson, who was of New Jer- 
sey birth. 

Amos Williamson was a carpenter, contractor 
and builder. In early days he removed to Ohio and 
carried on business there for some time, he being- 
one of the pioneers of the State. He came to 
Illinois in 1839 and was a pioneer business man of 
Pike County. Later he returned to Ohio, and 
went from there to Kansas. He experienced the 
hardshli)S of the first famine in that State and re- 
turned home in 1864, having lost most of his 
property in Kansas. He subsequently went to Mis- 
souri, where his last days were passed. 

The father of our subject was a cooper by trade, 
and also a carpenter. He worked at the latter call- 
ino- after his marriage, in Pike County, and in 1843 
he went to Fieldon, Jersey County, where he carried 
on the cooper business. He then engaged in farm- 
iw there and in 185G he took ui) his residence in 
Chatham Township, where he has a fine, well- 
improved farm of two hundred acres. He has now 
retired from active business as he has accumulated 
sufficient money to en.able him to spend his remain- 



ing years in comfort an<l without the necessity of 
hard labor. He is a stanch upholder of the policy 
of the Democratic party, and in all his career has 
shown himself to be a worthy citizen. 

Mrs. John Williamson's name before her mar- 
riage was Mallissa Hayes, and she was born in 
Maysville, Ky. Her father was also a native of 
that State. Ho came to Illinois in pioneer days, 
about 1843 and subsequently moved from Pike 
County to Jersej' Count}', where he died of cholera 
in 1847. The parents of our subject have had 
thirteen children of whom ten grew to maturity, 
namely: Erastus; Orlando, who was killed by light- 
ning in Auburn, in 1883; Catherine, the widow of 
Mr. Hall, of Auburn; Alpheus, a bridge builder in 
Rock Island; Hester, now Mrs. Wiuchell, of Sheri- 
dan County. Kan.; Ann, now Mrs. Kesler, a resi- 
dent of the same county; Ellen, Mrs Baumgartner, 
also of Sheridan County, Kan.; Rebecca, Mrs. 
I,orton, of Auburn; John, a carpenter at Auburn; 
and Mary, Mrs. Sommer, of Chatham. 

Mr. Williamson, of whom these lines are written, 
was but three months old when his parents moved 
to Jersey County, and he was reared at Fieldon, 
where he gleaned his education in the common 
schools. In the fall of 1856 he came to Sangamon 
County and was employed in superintending the 
im|)r()vemont of a farm, broke prairie land, culti- 
vated the soil, labored hard at various other kinds 
of farm work, and was of great assistance to his 
father. As soon as he attained his majority he 
threw aside all personal aims and ambitions to go 
to the front to help fight his country's battles, en- 
listing in April, 1864, in Company B, Thirteenth 
Illinois Infantry, and was mustered in at Camp 
Butlci', his regiment forming a part of the depart- 
ment of Tennessee. " He proved to possess admir- 
able soldierly qualities, was unswerving in his 
fidelity to his duties, was courageous and efficient, 
and was always found in the heat of battle when- 
ever an engagement took place with the enemy. He 
won a good record at Resaca, Dallas, Marietta, 
Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountai.n, in the 
siege ©f Atlanta, at Jonesboro and Lovej(^y's Sta- 
tion. He accompanied his regiment and the other 
forces wlien they followed the enein}' to Franklin, 
and then returned to Atlanta and from there went 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



567 



to Savannali to take part in the siege of tliat cit3'. 
Thence our subject and his comrades went by 
boat to a South Carolina port, and engaged with 
the enemy there. They next inarched to Benton- 
ville and from there to Raleigh, N. C, where they 
were stationed at the time of Lee's surrender. 
They subsequently went to Richmond and from 
there marched on to AVasliington and took part in 
the Grand Review. 

His regiment was mustered out of service at 
Springfield in August, 18(15, and our subject re- 
turned home. He had suffered with fortitude 
many of the trials and hardships of a soldier's life 
and on .July 22. while lighting at Atlanta was 
wounded in the knee by a s|ient ball and a com- 
rade was shot down by his side. He entered the 
army as a private and was discharged as a corporal 
to which position he had risen by llie force of his 
bravery and efficiency. After the exciting inci- 
dents of the war he settled down quietly to farming 
at Auburn. He carried on agriculture in [lartner- 
ship with his brother Orlando and they had a large 
farm under their control. Thej' dissolved their 
connection in April, 1883, and in the following 
June Orlando was killed b^' lightning, as before 
mentioned. Our subject continued to carry on his 
CP.Uing on a farm of four hundred acres of land. He 
managed two farms till March, 1887, and then built 
his present livery stable, which is a commodious, 
conveniently arranged building, 40x80 feet in di- 
mensions, and he has since added a training stable, 
14x150 feet in dimensions. He has one of the 
finest establishments of the kind in Central HIinois 
and everything is in first-class order. He has several 
liigh-bred horses, keeping his livery well-stocked, 
lie is the owner of Boxer, a pacer and a gelding, 
and Warrington, a standard stallion, and is quite 
extensively engaged in breeding roadsters, for 
which he finds a ready sale. 

Mr. Williamson and Miss Maggie Patterson were 
united in matrimoii}' in -Jersey County, in 1868. 
Mrs. Williamson is a native of Macoupin County 
:uid a daughter of William Patterson, who was also 
born in that county, where he was engaged as a 
farmer till after the breaking out of the war. Dur- 
ing the rebellion he enlisted in the Illinois cavalry 
and all trace of him was subsequently lost. Mr. 



and Mrs. Williamson have seven children — Emma, 
Cora, Nelson, Claudia, Alma, Clarenceand Joseph — 
all of vvhom are at home with the excojition of 
Emma, who is the wife of Frank Darnielle, a farmer 
of Chathani. 

Mr. W^illiamson is a stirring, wide-awake man of 
business, and occupies a good iiosition in financial 
circles. He is a promiru'nt tnember of the Second 
Advent Church, of which he has been Elder. He 
is active in the councils of the Democratic party, 
voting with his fellow-members in national mat- 
ters, and he has been a delegate to county con- 
ventions. 

-^ -^-^ ^- 




I^;ILL1AM O. CONVERSE is a fine represen- 
tative of the large stock-raising interests 
of this county and is one of its most prom- 
inent and influential citizens, both in public lifeanrl 
in business circles. He is a member of the firm of 
Converse Bros., stock-raisers and dealers, with sta- 
bles at the lie.ad of Ninth Street at .Springfield, 
and a large stock farm adjoining the city. 

^Ir. Converse w.as born in Painesville, Ohio, 
June 30, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Niana J. 
Converse, for whose biography see sketch of Dr. 
A. L. Converse. When he was a boy of six years 
he came wiLii his parents in the month of June 1846 
from his native State to Illinois and the remainder 
of his boyhood was passed in Springfield. He re- 
ceived his education in the country and city 
schools and in the old Lutheran College. He thus 
came witli a well-trained inind to the work to which 
he has since mainly devoted himself. After leav- 
ing college he eng.aged in farming and stock-deal- 
ing for himself when scarcely twenty years old and 
while he was still living with his father. He grad- 
ually increased his business till he has attained to his 
present jjosition .as one of the leading stock growers 
of the coun*y. About ten years ago he formed a 
partnership with his brother and they have been 
extensively interested in horses, making the Per- 
cheron a specialty, and dealing in cattle, mules, 
jacks and jennets, having one of the largest if not 
the largest herd of jacks ;ind jennets in the State. 



568 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Tliey \vdve a farm of two Ihoiisaiid acres of clioice, 
well-improved land, wiiiehis finely adapted to their 
purposes, and they employ a large force of men to 
carry on their business. 

Mr. Converse took as his wife Miss Pollen C. Little, 
October 21), 1870. Mrs. Convei-se is a daughter of 
Thomas Little, who was an old pioneer of this 
county, and is re[)resented in the Old Settlers' 
P>ook. She was born in this county December 14, 
1847. To her and our subject have come four 
daughters, all of whom are living, as follows: Niana 
L., Elsie, Nellie and Huth Edna. 

It is to such men as Mr. Converse, a man of 
clear brain, large heart and warm, generous nature 
to whose public |)rogressive s|)irit this city and 
count}' are so greatly indebted for their present 
high standing and wealth. Although our sul)ject's 
time is so largely taken up by the demands of his 
business, he has always shown a great interest in 
all enterprises tliat would in any way enhance the 
welfare of tliis section of the countrj', and he has 
ever been a conspicuous figure in its public life. 
He has been School Director seventeen years and 
for four consecutive terms has represented Spring- 
field Township on the County Board of Supervisors 
and is president of the Board of Trustees of North 
.Springfield. It is due to his energy and devotion that 
the Sangamon County Fair was originally organ- 
ized on the site of the old County Poor Farm, he 
having raised the sum of $5,000 for fair purposes 
in two days. Under that organization he held the 
offices of Secretary and Treasurer six years. He 
was appointed Treasurer for two \'ears when the 
new association was formed and is still holding the 
office. Besides working hard for the success of 
the fair, he has been influential in the organi- 
zation of the Citizens' Street Railway, and eleven 
miles of the railway were built while he was a 
member of the company as one of its first directors. 
In politics Mr. Converse is a Democrat, and relig- 
iously is of the Baptist failh and a member of the 
church. 

Our subject bears worthily the mantle of his 
father, who died in the month of January, 1888. 
He was just such another liberal, public-spirited 
citizen, and liis hand was felt in various enterprises 
for tlie advancement of Springfield. He donated a 



part of the land Jand was active in securing the 
establishment of the watch factory in this part of 
the town, owned the land upon which the second 
shaft was sunk in this part of the county and the 
fii'St in this vicinity for coal, liefore it was known 
that there was a strata of it underlying this portion 
of the country. He was also very influential in 
having the rolling mills built in this part of the 
city, and as a director of the Jacksonville South- 
eastern Railroad worked earnestly to have it loca- 
ted where it is. 



-^i= 

•""::i^=^^^i 



LOYD B. SMITH and his brother James, 
5') wl'io are managing successfully a very large 
and valuable estate in Island Grove Town- 
ship, stand among the foremost stockmen in the 
county and are leaders in that industry in this 
State. Our subject was born in this township Sep- 
tember 24, 1852, and is a son of the late James 
D. and Ruth A. Smith. His father was for many 
years one of the principal farmers and stock-raisers 
of the county, and was widely known and hon- 
ored. While in the midst of a useful and busy 
life his career was suddenly terminated by his 
death, on the afternoon of Tuesdaj', November 7, 
1871. He was then returning alone to his home 
from the town of Berlin and was thrown from his 
buggy and killed. His death was a severe blow to 
the interests of Island Grove Township, of which 
he was a pioneer settler and for which he had done 
much to forward its development. He had come 
to this State in 1833 in company with his father- 
in-law, Col. William Brown, and he then settled on 
the site in Island Grove Township, where he lived 
the greater portion of his life, and whence he was 
borne to his last resting-place by his sorrowing 
friends. 

A man of Mr. Smith's superior ability was emi- 
nently' fitted for civic ofHce, but he shunned public 
life though often urged bj' his friends to accept 
positions of trust and honor. And only once did 
he deviate from that course and yielded his per- 
sonal feelings to the earnest solicitations of his fel- 
low-citizens, and was elected as a member of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



569 



Constitutional fonvention of 1862. During the 
whole of his life he was a devoted member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church aud was a Christian 
man in every sense of the word. He died in the 
possession of an ample fortune, the greater part of 
wlii(:h he had amassed through his extensive deal- 
ings as a stockman. 

Lloyd Smith, of whom we write, brings to his 
work a mind vvell trained by the fine education 
which he received in the district school and 
rounded up by a course at Kemper College in Mis- 
souri. He inherited in a large degree the charac- 
teristics of his fatlier, that were so potent in 
making liira one of the wealthiest men of the 
cduiity. He is associated with his brother James 
in tlie stock business and they each jiossess an 
eqi.al interest in twenty-one hundred acres of val- 
uable land worth $75 aa acre. They are among 
the most extensive stock-growers and dealers in 
the vState and have ample conveniences for carry- 
ing on their business. Lloyd Smith makes a spec- 
ialty of fine saddle, driving and Percheion horses, 
and has a valuable stud and some of the finest 
horses to be found in the county. His brother 
pays particular attention to raising Short-horn Dur- 
ham cattle, and the}' have a large bi-annual sale 
of their stock, which is attended by farmers and 
stockmen from far and wide, and they then dis- 
pose of their surplus stock. Mr. Smith is a thor- 
ough man of business, possesses unbounded enter- 
prise and more than ordinary energy. He is 
keen and far-sighted in his transactions, possessing 
a full knowledge of his business and sound judg- 
ment in regard to horses and cattle, and he is always 
fair and honorable in his dealings. 

Mr. .Smith was married in early manhood to 
Lula 15. Alexander, by whom he had three chil- 
dren — Lula B., llattic D. and Mary Myrtle. The 
maiden name of his present wife was Jennie D. 
Spruill. Her marriage with our subject was sol- 
emnized at Griggs ville, 111., on the 10th of May, 
1887. One child has come to them — Lloyd B., Jr. 
Mrs. Smith is Qnol}' educated. She attended the 
Urbana school in Champaign Count}-, 111., and 
afterward pursued a classical course in the uni- 
versity at Cincinnati, from which she was gradu- 
ated in class of '83, carrying away the highest 



honors from her classmates. She is a daughter of 
the Rev. W. F. T. .Spruill, who has occupied some 
of the leading pulpits of the Methodist Episcopal 
Cluueh and has filled pastorates at Lexington, 
Newport, Covington, Ky., Urbana, Jacksonville, 
Griggsville and Charleston, 111. All of those 
churches belong to what is denominated as the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South, and as IMr. 
Spruill was hostile to slavery he was not in full 
sympathy with that branch of the denomination, 
and resigned his connection with it. He subse- 
quently identified himself with the Methopist Epis- 
copal Church North, i i which he has since held an 
honored position and has done a noble work in the 
field, having many important charges under his 
watchful care. He is at present the esteemed pas- 
tor of the Methodist Episcopal Churcli at Macon, 
111., where he is carrying forward tho cause of 
Christianity with his usual faithfulness and ability. 



*— '^"H-y-f-^—*- 



HARLES P. KANE. The citizens of Spring- 
field are familiar with the name of this 
gentleman, who is by profession an attornry- 
at-law. Socially he is also prominent, having 
been twice Eminent Cunimander of Eiwood Coni- 
mandery No. 6, K. T., M.aster of St. Paul's 
Lodge, No. .500, and Chancellor Commander 
of Percival Loilge No. 262, K. of P. An ac- 
tive Republican he is S..'cretary of the Republi- 
can Congressional Committee of the Tliirteentli 
District, representing Sangamon County. 

He of whom we write was born December' 2."), 
1850. to the Rev. Andrew J. and Caroline iM. 
(Beers) Kane, natives respectively of Guilford 
County, N. C, and Sangamon County, 111. The 
father was born in 1818 and came to this State in 
early manhood in 1840. He has been a prominent 
minister in the Christian Church and is now one of 
the oldest members of the congregation which was 
organized at this place in 1833, and of which he 
was for a time pastor. He comes of an old Colonial 
family which was originally found in North Caro- 
lina and some of whose members served in (lie 




570 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Revolutionary War. He and his estimable wife are 
i-till living in Spiingfifld at a venerable old age, 
To them came ten children, seven of whom are 
living, viz: Wattle I'L, now Mrs. Thomas Tally, of 
Newburg, N. Y.; Charles P., our subject; Julia E., 
a resident of Springlield; Keniy B., of Dallas, Tex.; 
Eugene S., of Huron, Dak.; Newell, of Tyler, 
Tex., and Isabel, a resident of this cit}'. 

The mother of our subject was born in 1827 and 
comes of one of the oldest pioneer families of Illi- 
nois. She is of -New England anteceilents, her 
father, Philo Beers, having been born in AVood- 
hury. Conn., in 1793. He came to this county in 
1820 and look up land In Williams Township, 
where he made a home and where the mother of 
our subject was born. Philo Beers married Miss 
Martha Stillman In 1820, their marriage being the 
first celebiated within the present limits of Sanga- 
mon County. Immediately after marriage he 
removed to Carlisle. Clinton County, (then a part 
of Washington County), 111., and there became 
very prominent in its public life and was elected to 
the Legislature from that county. At that time 
Vaiidalla was the Capital of the State and there the 
Legislature convened. 

Subsequently Philo Beers came north to this 
county again and for a few years lived on his faini 
in Williams Township. He tiiially removed to this 
city wliere he made his home, erecting the first 
brick dwelling-house ever put up in the city of 
S|)riugfield, and hero he Jived as a retired capital- 
ist until liis death in 1859. He was a member of 
the militia in his early days, was a soldier In tlie 
War of 1812. and w.as in the militia that was organ- 
ized for the relief of Ft. Ticonderoga. The Beers 
famil}' was one of the earl}' Colonial families and 
moved from Watertown, Mass., to Fairtield, Conn., 
in 1635 and some of its members took part in the 
Revolution, among them being Zachariah Beers, 
great-grandfather of our subject, and two of his 
brothers. Richard Beers, the first known repre- 
sentative of the family iri the United States, was a 
caiitain in King Philip's War. The members of 
the family now residing in Connecticut are very 
prominent there, some of them holding. State offices. 
The mateinal great-grandmother of our subject, 
Abigail StlUman, was one of the earliest settlers of 



this county, coming here in 1818 from East Bloom- 
field, N. Y., and settling among the pioneers of 
Williams Township. See Cothren's "History of 
Ancient Woodbury, Conn." 

Charles P. Kane, the subject of this biographical 
review, was reared in his native city and was given 
a liberal education. He was graduated from the 
Springfield High School in 1868 and later read law 
with Messrs. Hay, Green it Littler, and was admitted 
to the bar June 13,1871. He immediately established 
himself in this city, and May 1, 1874, entered into 
partnership with Robert H. llazlett, formerly State's 
Attorney for Sangamon County. He soon became 
well known as a law3'er of merit and ability, and in 
the spring of 1878 was honored by his fellow-citi- 
zens by election to the office of City Attorney, 
which he held for three consecutive terms, retiring 
from the position May 1, 1881. In 1885 he was 
elected by the City Council as a member of the 
City Board of Education and served five j'ears with 
credit to himself and to the general satisfaction of 
the [uibllc. He is also Secretary and Treasurer of 
the Crass Cattle Company, having large interests 
in ranch and cattle property in Wyoming. Mr. 
Kane and Miss Flora Brittin, of Springfield, were 
united in marriage November 2, 1881. They have 
estal)lished an attractive home and their pleasant 
household is completed by their three children — 
Caroline M., Flora E., and Philo B. Mrs. Kane is 
tlie daughter of James M. and Elizabeth I. Brittin, 
the former a native of Illinois, the latter of Penn- 
S3dvanin, now residing in Springfield, lU. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kane are among the most active members of 
the Christian Church, of which he is an Elder. 




ylLLIAM FRANCIS HERRIN. One of 
the most attractive rural homes In this pnrt 
V^^ of the Prairie State is that of the gentle- 
man above named. The estate which he occupies 
consists of ninety acres, and two hundred and 
fifty-five acres one mile east in Mechanicsburg 
Township, on every part of which neatness and 
order prevail. The farm house is built .according 
to modern ideas of beauty and convenience and is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



571 



sunoiindetl by a fine grove and beautiful parks and 
furuislied in a manner evincing a refined taste. It 
stands on the outskirts of the town of Buffalo. 

Sangamon County claims Mr. Ilerrin as one of 
her sons and may well be proud to be able to do so. 
He was born in Clear Lake Township, November 
18, 183G, in the log cabin which first sheltered his 
parents after their arrival here. James and Mary 
A. (McDanielj Herrin, came liither in 1833 and 
occupied a farm until their death. The motliur ol 
our subject breathed her last in 1868 but the fatiier 
survived until August, 1881. The son of whom 
we write was educated as farmer boys usually are 
in a country that is not fully developed, but hav- 
ing a natural love of books, he gained more knowl- 
edge tlian n-anyof his comrades. 

The first enterprise of Mr. Herrin was to engage 
in farming and raising of fine stock, to wliich he 
now devotes himself quite extensively. He has a 
fine herd of Short-horn cattle and other stock of 
the best quality. Nothing is allowed to go to waste 
upon the estate, but every acre is used in some 
thrifty way, either as a source of income or of 
pleasure. The place, therefore, is extremely attrac- 
tive to the passer-by and is regarded by tlie family 
as all that a home siiould be. 

September 10, 1863, Mr. Ilerrin was united in 
marriage witii Mary A, North, and tlie linppy 
union has resulted in the birth of seven cliildren. 
The parents mourn the loss of two who have crossed 
the river of death. Of the survivors, Nora is tlie 
wife of George Lester and the mother of a 
daugliter who bears the name of Pearl; Edwin is 
established in a home of his own, his wife being 
Carrie Hall; the tliree j'ounger childrer. — Carrie, 
Lettie and Mary Frank, still cheer their parents by 
their (iresence in the home. The father of Mrs. 
Herrin was Robert North, an old settler here, who 
became one of the influential and wealthy citizens 
of the county. He died in September, 1880, but 
his widow still survives. Mr. North was born in 
Buckingham County, Va., and came to this section 
in 1832. 

Mr. Herrin has been a member of tlie Methodist 
Episcopal Church since he was twenty-five years 
old and is one of its most substantial supporters. 
Politically, he is a Prohibitionist, having the cour- 



age of his convictions and believing that a vote is 
never thrown away if given for the right. He has 
been the nominee of bis party for the position of 
State Senator. Hb has been School Director and 
Scliool Trustee, and for fourteen years has held a 
position as a Cemetery Director, lie is an out- 
spoken, genial gentleman, who makes many friends 
by his pleasant manners and intelligent address, 
and retains them by his worth of cliaracter. 



J^ DDLSON C. JAMES, M. D., is one of the 
v @yji l younger members of the medical profes- 

Ij it sion who have entered the field within the 
(^ last decade and have already won honors 

in their calling. He has a good practice in Spring- 
field and is doing well, Ijoth from a financial and 
from a professional standpoint. He is a native of 
this State, born in Tazewell County, October 29, 
185p, and is the son of Dr. Lorenzo and Kate 
(Blythe) James, natives resi)ectively of Ohio and 
Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Lorenzo James was in active practice at 
Zanesville, Ohio, for nearly twenty years. He came 
thence to Illinois in 1844 and located first at Pekin 
and then moved on to a farm near Delavan. lie 
subsequently took up his residence in Atlanta 
where he died June 20, 1887. Dr. James and his 
wife were the parents of seven children, of whcim 
the following grew to maturity: Nellie, wife i;f 
Virgil H. Park, of Decatur, III. ; Mary, deceased, 
who was the wife of Martin llickox: Sampson 15., 
a real estate agent at Trinidad, Col.; Anna, wile 
of H. E. Carter of Chicago; Charles L. a resident of 
Ra3'mond, Dak.; and Addison C. 

Dr. James passed his boyhood days in Atlanta 
and in its public schools laid the solid foundation 
of a liberal education. He was engaged there for 
awhile in the drug trade which he also carried on 
in Lincoln. At the end of five years he abandoned 
that in order to study medicine in Rush Medicul 
College, Chicago. He was graduated from that in- 
stitution in the class of 1880 and commenced to 
practice in this city in 1881. By steady devotion 
to his duties he built up a paying practice and is 



572 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.. 



one of our successful plijsicians. He is arimirably 
adapted to his profession both physically and men- 
tally, possessing in a large degree those traits that 
brst fit his calling. He is deeply interested in his 
work devoting himself to his patients, is skilled in 
allaying pain and suffering and in the treatment of 
acute diseases. 

Our subject and Mias Kuiraa C. Schcnck were 
wedded December 5. 1883, and of their felicitous 
married life has come one child — Harry. Mrs. 
James was born in Bavaria, Germany, whence the 
family came to America when she was but a child. 
She was therefore reared and educated in this coun- 
try, and her careful training in her home amiily 
qualified her to preside over one of her own. 



-^^ 



-i- 




(EOIIGK lUGLER is one of the enterprising 
farmers of Auburn Township, his landed 
^^J! possessions aggregating one hundred and 
twenty acres on section -22, and one hundred and 
sixty acres on section 21. He is a Virginian by 
birth and belongs to one of the early families of 
that State. His grandfather, who was of German 
descent, followed farming in Botetourt County 
and was a cousin of Gov. Bigler. His father, Mark 
Bigler, was born and reared in Botetourt County 
and became a blacksmith, following that trade in 
connection with farming. He owned two hundred 
and eighty- five acres of land near Fincastle, and 
continued its cultivation until 1839, when at the 
age of fifty-five years his death occurred. He 
wedded Mary Peters, also a native of Botetourt 
County, although her father was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, whence he emigrated to Virginia, becoming 
a well-to-do farmer of the Old Dominion. 

Mrs. Bigler is still living (1891) at the advanced 
age of eiglity-two years and makes her home with 
her sou Mark. She is a member of the old school 
I'resbytciian Church. On the death of her husband 
siv<ii children were left to her care, whose record 
is as follows: Mrs. Lucinda Painter, the eldest, died 
in Virginia; Mrs. Eliza A. Gray, died in West Vir- 
ginia, and Mrs. Charlotte Moore in Auburn; 
George is the next in order of birth; Mrs. Cath- 



erine Bradsliaw resides in Florida; Mrs. Susan Van 
Degrift, of Auburn, died while visiting in Virginia 
in 1886; Mark, who served in the Confederate 
Arm}' during the late war, is living on the old 
homestead. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Fincastle, 
Va., November 22, 1833. His father died when 
he was six years of age, but his mother kept the 
faniil}' together, and in the midst of his brothers 
and sisters, guided by her loving care he was 
reared to manhood. His educational advantages 
vrere necessarily very limited, he attending 
school about three months in the year. At the 
age of twelve 3'ears he took charge of the home 
farm. It seemed a very heavy responsibility to 
[jlace on such young shoulders, but he nobly per- 
formed his duty and thereby develojjed a self- 
reliance and manliness of character which won him 
respect and have done not a little towards shaping 
his after life. Upon reaching manhood he deter- 
mined to try his fortune in the West, and in March 
of 1857 with a capital of •1'250 reached Sangamon 
Count3^ This location proved beneficial to him in 
many wajs. Here he has jirospered in worldly 
affairs and it was in Auburn that he found his wife. 
On the 21st of April, 1857, he married Miss Vir- 
ginia E. Wineman, who was born in Auburn Town- 
ship and is a daughler of Philip and Jane Wine- 
man, natives of \'irginiaand Kentucky respectively. 

After his marriage Mr. Bigler rented a part of 
his father-in-law's farm for three years, for one 
year was with Mr. Wineman and one year on the 
Organ place, and then rented a portion of the farm 
which is now his home. In 1865 he purchased a 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres east of 
Auburn, and there successfully engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits for seven years, when in 1872 he 
sold, and bought two hundred and eighty acres of 
land on sections 21 and 22. This tract was only 
partially improved, but onl}' a short time elapsed 
when through the energy and industry of theovvner 
two hundred acres had been placed under a high 
state of cultivation, the remaining eighty being 
timber land. Many improvements he also added 
which greatly enhanced the value of his farm and 
in 1884 he creeled a fine residence which sets about 
twenty-five rods back from the road in the midst of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



575 



a natural grove. A five- acre orcliard, the good 
barns and outbuildings and the well-tilled fields 
all indicate the characteristics of tlie owner — thrift 
and enterprise. The best s[)riiig in the county is 
found upon his land, it furnishing eight gallons of 
water per minute. 

From a very early age I\Ir. Bigler has liad to 
make his own way in the world. lie has been a 
hard-working man. laboring untiringly for the 
interests of his familj', but tlie reward of righteous 
labor has at length come to him and he is now able 
to lay aside many of the arduous duties of life, 
liaving a handsome competence which will supply 
his wants through the coming years. His prosperity 
is well merited, and in the enjoyment of his home, 
surrounded by the comforts of life, he expects to 
spend his last days. He has faithfully discharged 
his duties of citizenship, supported all worthy enter- 
prises and for years served as School Director. He 
has ever supported the Democratic party with the 
exception of one election, when he voted for Fill- 
more. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church of Auburn, and a most estimable lady. 

The children of the famih' are: Edward A., a 
graduate of the Wesleyan University of Blooming- 
ton, who for some time followed the profession of 
teaching but is now engaged in 'igricultural pur- 
suits, owning eighty acres of land on section 20, 
Auburn Township; Cyrus W., who is now a student 
in the Wesleyan University and followed teaching 
for a time, owns an eighty-acre tract on section 20; 
George R., wlio owns eighty acres on section 15, is 
now attending the Wesleyan University. 

The attention of the reader is directed to a view 
on another page of the fine homestead of Mr. Big- 
ler, which is justly ranked among the best farms of 
the township. 




C-J^^'HEOPHILUS A. SHUFF. Among the na- 
tive-born residents of the county who are 
successfullj' tilling a portion of the soil, is 
the gentleman above named whose residence is on 
section 20, New Berlin Township. The estate 
which is one of the most desirable in the county. 



consists of four hundred and fifty-six and one-half 
."icres a mile from the village of New Berlin. A vis- 
itor to the farm would find there every needful and 
convenient structure in the way of farm buildings, 
a cozy and attractive residence, and such modern 
appliances for agricultural work as indicate that 
the owner and manager is thoroughly imbued with 
the American spirit of progress. 

The parents of our subject were Anthony and 
Siren (Fonts) Shuff. The former was born near 
Lexington, Ky., in 1812, and at an early period in 
the history of this county came hither on horse- 
back, all the waj' from his early home. He began 
his labors here by breaking prairie in what is now 
known as Island Grove Township, and then spent 
some time as a farm laborer in the same township, 
being employed by the month. In 183C he mar- 
ried, his bride being a native of the same neighbor- 
hood as himself, but four years younger than he. 
B^'hard work and persistence Mr. Shuff accumulated 
some #800 with the most of which he purchased a 
fine horse which he lost soon afterward. He pur- 
chased a claim from a man by the name of Sears, 
in Island Grove Townshi[), and afterward entered 
land in the same township. He was a man of splen- 
did physique, strong and athletic and could easily 
shoulder three bushels of wheat. 

A few j'ears before his marriage, Anthony Shuff 
had an attack of illness that left him in a condition 
of almost total physical helplessness. His mind re- 
mained as strong as ever, his judgment as clear, and 
he continued to transact his business affairs in a judi- 
cious and careful manner while being carried about 
in a sitting position. In this state he laid the 
foundation of an ample fortune and became the 
owner of some seven hundred and twenty acres of 
land which was divided among his children at his 
death. A man of indomitable will, he accora- 
plisheil much before he was called from time to 
eternity, in 1878. His children consisted of three 
daughters and five sons of whom three sons are 
now deceased. 

The subject of this biographical notice is the 
seventh in order of birth in his father's family and 
opened his eyes to the light October 27, 1849, in 
Island Grove Township. The careful home train- 
in" which he received and the good education which 



576 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



he acquired fitted liim for a position of prominence 
among tbe citizens. ISefore ho located on his pres- 
ent estate he owned ninety acres of land in Island 
Grove Township, which he sold, receiving for it 
the sum of $4,500. lie is a thrifty man, whose 
affairs are on a substantial basis and whose reputa- 
tion in business circles is assured. His home is 
presided over by an intelligent, refined woman, who 
bore the maiden name of Emma M. Boynton and 
became his wife March 19,1878. Mr. .Shuff is a 
firm believer in the policy of the Republican party. 
which he supports with bis voice and vote. A mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church he walks honorably be- 
fore men and, wins respect. Our subject and his 
wife are the parents of five children, as follows: 
Nellie M., Bessie M., Flora S., Mabel 15. and 
Charles B. 

.„, V ■tirH'^rrf"- -rv — — - 




f^ILLlAM F. HERNDON. The professi<ui 
of law has many representatives in .Spring- 
field, and as a class they are men of nier.- 
tal culture, legal knowledge and skill, and ex- 
cellent moral character. One of this large and 
honorable class is the gentleman whose name intro- 
duces these paragraphs. His life has been marked 
with no wonderful events, but his days have been 
busy ones, the hours filled with study, nsefuHabor, 
and the recreations found in domestic and social 
life. 

Mr. Herndon is descended from old Kentucky 
families and the paternal line is traced still further 
back to Virginia Colonists. His parents. Archer G. 
and Roana (Bobbins) Herndon, are natives of Illi- 
nois and Kentucky respectively, and the father has 
spent the most of his life in this county. He owned 
a fine stock farm in Rochester Township known as 
''River Dell," but had retired practically from 
active farm life before his decease, October 14, 1890. 
He never desired nor held office, but took much 
interest in discussing politics and kept well informed 
regarding the issues at stake. 

The parental family consisted of six sons and five 
daughters, of whom three sons and three daughters 
survive. The deceased, with one exception, died 



in early childhood. A daughter, Dona, met with a 
sad fate in February, 1875, when twenty-Qve years 
old. She had (illed the l)Owl of a gasoline lamp and 
readjusted the burner, which, being defective in the 
screw. top|)led over when she lifted the chimney 
and caused the fiuid to ignite from the match she 
had just struck. The young lady received such 
injuries that she died a few hours after the occur- 
rence. Besides our subject the living members of 
the family are Elliott Gra}^ and Rompeer R., who 
are engaged in agriculture ; H. Laomi D., at home 
with her parents; Rodelia A., wife of the Rev. 
George G. Hudson, a minister of the Cumberland 
Presbj-terian Church, and a missionary at Osaka, 
Japan, where he has been located since 1886; Molly 
E.,\vife of Thom.as T. Thornton, a farmer in this 
county. 

The subject of this liiograiihical notice was born 
in DeWitt County, April 9, 1848, and is the eldest 
of his parents' children. He received his education 
principally in the schools of this county, to which 
the family came in 1855. He attended the Wesleyan 
University at Bloomington, but did not complete 
the course of stud\'. and also gained knowledge in 
the institution managed by Dr. Scott in Springfield. 
In 1M74 he began reading law with Cullom, .Scholes 
& Mather in this citj', and in 1878 passed his 
examination before the Supreme Court. There 
were ninety-seven applicants for admission to the 
bar, that being the last class examined before that 
court. While reading law Mr. Herndon gave a 
part of his time to school teaching and altogether 
has taught ten years in the district schools. 

Mr. Herndon wa.s admitted to the bar in January 
and in May opened his office in this city where he 
has continued his legal work. For a short time he 
was associated with Mr. Colby, now Master in 
Chancery, but with this exception he has been 
alone. He carries on a general practice, principally 
in chancery and in connection with private busi- 
ness. He has no desire to enter the criminal courts 



which is more to his taste. As a pedagogue he was 
found to be earnest and faithful, thoroughly versed 
in the branches which he taught, and enthusiastic 
in his own desire for knowledge, thus necessarily 
giving those under his care a portion of the same 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



577 



spirit. As a legal practitioner his reputation fol- 
lows the same line and he is generallj' believed to 
be thoughtful, wise and prudent. 

Mr. Herndon won for his wife Miss Mar}- II. 
Br3ant, a daughter of George B. and Amanda 
Bryant, and with iter he was united in marriage Sep- 
tember 14, 1871. Two children are included in 
the happj' family — Edgar 15.. born September 29, 
1872, and Pearl M., October .i, 1882. The home 
is one in which bodily comfort and mental cheer 
are found without stint, and the influence of relined 
womanhood is manifested in all its arrangements. 
Mr. Herndon, like his father before him. has never 
held office. His political faith is commonly known 
as that of a .lacksonian Democrat. He belongs to 
the Modern Woodmen of America, and religiously 
is a member of the English Lutheran Church. 



^^- 4^--^^-^- 




'REDERICK KLOR, an extensive fruit far- 
pji mer residing on section 27, Gardner Town- 
ship, was born on tlie 15th of .Tanuar}-. 183G, 
in Baden, Germany, of which province ids father, 
John George Klor, was also a native. His grand- 
father engaged in farming on the Rhine River and 
his father owned extensive vineyards in Baden and 
from its purple fruit was manufactured wine. He 
was one of the largest dealers in that community 
anil his cellars would hold more than oijc hundred 
caskets, containing twenty barrels each. He became 
a wealthy citizen and was a man of influence in the 
community. AVhen a mere boy he was forced into 
the arm}' and served in the war against Napoleon. 
In 1855, in order that his children need not per- 
form military service and also to benefit his own 
financial condition he left his native land and with his 
wife and eightchildren, embarked on board the "Bob 
Warrior" which sailed from Havre to New York. 
After forty-two da3S anchor vvas dropped in the 
harbor of the latter metropolis and boarding a train 
Mr. Klor continued his journey westward to Sanga- 
mon Count}-, 111. He purchased a farm in Gardner 
Township, cleared and imi)roved the land and at 
his death, which occurred March 9, 1880, in the 
eighty-fourth year of his age, he was the owner of 



one hundred and forty acres of>s>ich and fertile 
land as the county contains. He was a Democrat 
in [lolitics and a member of the Lutheran Church. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Ingraven, 
was also born in Baden and died at her home in 
this county July 11, 1885, aged eighty-four years. 
Tlie children of the family are George who resides 
on the old homestead; IMrs. Barbara Sigwald who 
died in Germany; Rosena and Christ who died in 
1856; Fred of this sketch; Christina, deceased; 
Catherine who is living in Sangamon County, and 
married Adam Kadel; and Charles, a fruit-grower 
of Springfield Township, who married Anna Siren- 
stasen. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native 
land, his boyhood days being spent in play alono- 
the banks of the classic Rhine. He acquired a o-ood 
common-school education and at the aoe of nine- 
teen years accompanied his parents to America. At 
the age of twenty-one he left home and began life 
for himself. He was first employed as a cook in 
the St. Nicholas Hotel but after a year he was mar- 
ried and kept a boarding house, in ad<lition to 
which he also engaged in teaming for five years in 
Riverton. At the same lime he operated a rented 
farm but when the war broke out, Crmp Douolas 
was situated so near him that he removed to Gard- 
ner Township where he purchased eighty acres of 
land. In 1864 he purchased forty acres of his 
present farm, built a log house and with character- 
istic energy began its development. He is now the 
owner of one hundred and thirty-three acres which 
was once covered with timber but is now divided 
into fields whose rich fertility repay his care and 
cultivation. 

In August, 1858, in Springfield, I\Ir. Klor mar- 
ried Miss Mary Kelly, daughter of Anthony Kelly, 
a native of Kings County, Ireland. Her grand- 
father, William Kelly, was a farmer of that country 
and owned four hundred acres of land six miles 
from Frankfort, at the time when King Georo-e 
Third of England visited the Emerald Isle to see 
the only child born with a i)ig's head. He also 
witnessed the landing of his m.ajesty. Anthony 
Kelly, then a lad of fifteen years drew up a peti- 
tion to the King concerning the martial law, ask- 
ing that the neighbors be granted the ri^ht and 



578 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



privilege of keeping a dog and having more light 
in their houses. Ftaring that tliis might meet with 
the displeasure of the King, his father then placed 
him in hiding in a cave but George asked to see the 
boy that could write up such a petition and when 
he was brought into iiis presence seemed well 
l)leased witli him and gave considerable possessions 
to his brother and uncle. This lad became the 
owner of the old homestead farm and won a wide 
reputation as a dealer in horses. He had a race 
tiack upon his own grounils and kept many fine 
horses. He was a meqiber of the Catholic Church 
and died in his native land. His wife, Mary Mc- 
Donald Kelly, was Ijorn in Queens Connt3', Ireland, 
and was a daugiiter of Patrick McDonald who in 
an underground cave made pikes for bis country- 
men engaged in rebellion and stowed them away 
until they could be smuggled to the array. He 
had five sons who served in the war and four were 
killed while one died soon after his return home. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kell}' were born six children — 
Antony who died in Ireland; William of Frceport, 
Iowa; James, an engineer of Springfield; Michael 
who is engaged is farming near Freei)ort; Mary, 
wife of our subject; and Jane deceased. 

Mrs. Klor was born in Kings- County, Ireland, 
October 14, 1835, and at the age of eight 3'ears 
went to live with her uncle, Jerry Kellj', who was 
an exciseman and traveled from Liverpool to Bir- 
mingham, Eugland. She sometimes accompanied 
him on his journeys but on the 4th of July, 1855, 
she sailed from Liverpool to America, landing in 
N(^w York after u stormy voyage of five weeks and 
two days. After spending a few weeks with an 
aunt in New York, she then accompanied the Brit- 
ish Consul to West Indiana but at length came to 
Springfield where she joined her brother James. 
She was in the employ of Gov. Matteson's family 
while Mr. Klor was working in the St. Nicholas 
Hotel. Four children have been born unto them — 
Rosena B., wife of Charles Johnson, a farmer of 
Kansas, by whom she has four children; Mary p]. 
who graduated from the Springfield High School 
.and is now teaching in this county; Janey at home; 
and Barbara C, wife of John Moore, by whom she 
has two children. 

The home of Mr. Klor, as before staled com- 



prises one hundred and thirty-three acres of arable 
land all highly improved. It is pleasantly situated 
al)Out six miles from the State Capital and is fur- 
nished with everything necessary' to a model farm. 
In addition to the raising of grain he raises good 
grades of stock and hris ten acres devoted to fruit 
of all kinds. One acre comprises iiis vineyard and 
in their season he sends goodly supplies of small 
fruits to the markets. His orchard is one of the 
finest in the county and he has grafted many trees. 
It is evident that he thoroughly uiulerstands his 
business and the success which is attending his 
efforts is justly merited. Mr. Klor is a Democrat 
in politics and a member of Hope Lodge, Farmers' 
Mutual Benefit .\ssociation. He holds membership 
in the Lutheran Church of Springfield, and his wife 
is a member of the Catholic Church of that cilj'. 
The Klor household is noted for its liospitality and 
the members of tlic family hold a high position in 
the social world. 



\ 



Iv. THAYER. This gentleman has been 
connected with the commercial interests of 
Springfiehl for many years and still retains 
his active interest in two of the most flourishing 
business establishments of the city. One is the 
Springfield Woolen Mills, owned and operated b}' the 
firm composed of E. R. Thayer, J. T. Capps, and W. 
H. Bradish. The buildings occupied by the estab- 
lishment were i)nt up during the years between 
18G1 to 1888, additions being made as required. 
The present capacity is six sets and in the estab- 
lishment employment is furni.«hed to one hundred 
and twentj'-five operatives. The annual consump- 
tion of wool is five hundred thousand pounds and 
the product of the looms amounts to $250,000 per 
year. 

In 1851 what is known as the Springfield Woolen 
Mills was established by H. M. Armstrong and E. 
R. Thayer, and continued as a woolen manufactoiy 
under their management until 1SG3. Mr. Arm- 
strong then retired and H. S. Dickerraan was 
admitted, the firm name being Dickerman it Co. 
This continued in operation until 1881. when Mr. 
Dickerman retired and the present firm was formed. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



68i 



The dry -goods house of J. Thayer & Co., located 
at No. .'520 Adams Street, on the south side of the 
square, was^ established by J. Thayer in ISST). It 
has been continuous in business and is probably 
the oldest establishment runnin_2f without a change 
of name in tlie State. K. R. Thayer was taken into 
the firm at the age of twentj'-one years and has 
since' been connected with it. 



-i^^' 



C<^^HOMAS A. SIMS, a horticulturalist, resides 
(lf(^<^ on section 33, Gardner Township. His farm 
V^^' comprises fifty acres of arable land and lie 
devotes his energies to general farming, stoek-rais 
ing and fruit growing. Seven acres are planted in 
fruils of all kinds adapted to this climate and the 
product of tree and vine he takes to market in 
Springfield, from which his home is situated eiglit 
miles distant. 

Mr. Sims is a native of Virginia. He was born 
in Culpepev Count}', now Rappahannock Countv, 
October 3, 1835, and is the oldest in a family of 
twelve children whose parents were James G. and 
Lucy A. (Shackleford) Sims. His grandfather, 
Oliver Cromwell Sims, was also born in Culpepcr 
County and served in the War of 1812. Emigrat- 
ing Westward, he located in INIuskingum County, 
Ohio, in 1836, and devoted himself to farming for 
twenty-one years. In 18.t7, he came to this county 
and spent the remainder of his days in Gardner 
Township, his death occurring in 1872, at the very 
advanced age of ninety-seven 3'ears. He was a 
prominent citizen and his courteous and gentle- 
manly demeanor, combined with a genial nature, 
won him many friends. 

.James G. Sims followed farming in his native 
State until 1837, when he too became a resident of 
Muskingum County, Ohio. At the breaking out 
of the late war, although his age would have ex- 
empted him from military service, he was in'ompted 
by patriotic impulses to enlist and became a member 
of the Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantr}'. He served 
until the close of the war and after his return 
removed to this count}', locating in Curran Town- 
ship where he is still living at the age of eighty 



years. In Virginia he married Miss Shackleford, 
daughter of Zachariah Sliackleford.a wealthy planter 
of the Old Dominion. A hook which he purchased 
in 1825 — The Life of David Brainard — is now in 
possession of our subject. The children of Mr. 
and Mrs. Sims are Thomas, whose name heads this 
sketch; William who died in the West; (Tcorge ,1. 
and .John R. who are living in Curran Township; 
Almeda, a resident of Taylor County, Col.; Ange- 
lina, now Mrs. Hughes, of Curran Township; Savilla 
who became Mrs. Sterling and died in Gardner 
Township; Mrs. Nanc}' Searcy, of Gardner Town- 
ship; Mrs. Lucy A. Ives, of Curran Township; 
.Tames G. who is living in Curran Township; Charles 
H. who died in Oliio; and Austin, of Curran Town- 
ship. 

When a babe of a year Thomas A. Sims was 
taken by his grandparents to Ohio, where in the 
usual manner of farmer lads his boyhood days 
were passed. His education was acquired in a log 
schoolhouse such as were common at that d.ay, witli 
its slab seats, puncheon lloor and gre.ased paper 
windows. In tlie spring of 1856, the family started 
for Illinois and near Blooraington Mr. Sims was 
employed at breaking prairie with ox-teams during 
one season. Before leaving Ohio, he had learned 
the cooper's trade and also the tr.ade of a potter, 
which occupation he followed in the Buckeye State 
for five years. He became quite an expert in that 
line and could turn anything in the shape of 
crockery. The autumn of 1856 witnessed his 
arrival in this county and during the two succeed- 
ing winters he was employed in a cooper's shop 
while in the summer season he worked as a farm 
hand. ' 

On the Ulh of August, 1862, Mr. Sims enrolled 
his name among the boys in blue of Company I, 
One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry. The 
regiment was mustered in at Camp Butler, sent 
southward to Memphis and shortly afterwards went 
to Milliken's Bend. Joining the Thirteenth Army 
Corps, the troops were then under fire at Port Gib- 
son, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge and 
participated in the long but victorous siege of 
Vicksburg. Mr. Sims enlisted as a private but wjis 
soon made corporal and after tlie capture of the 
city was promoted to the rank of sergeant. With 



682 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his company he also took part iu the Jackson cam- 
paign. After a thirty days furlough he rejoined his 
regiment at New Orleans, the regiment doing duty 
in tlie South from October, 1 863, until tlie following 
March. It then engaged in the Banks expedition 
and at the battle of Sabine Cross R(jads on the 8th 
of April, Mr. Sims was taken prisoner and sent to 
Camp Ford near Tyler, Tex. He was forced to 
march all the way and on reaching that place was 
confine<l in a stockade for thirteen months and 
fourteen daj-s. He was paroled by an order received 
by telegrapii from Wasliington after the close of 
the war, and went to Shreveport, whence he made 
his vvay to St. Louis and on to Springfield, where 
he was honorablj' discharged June 27, 1865, after 
three years of active service, during whicli he was 
ever found at his post of duty, faithfully defend- 
ing tlie old flag. 

A fter his return, Mr. Sims operated a rented 
farm for about twelve years when lie purcliased 
fifty acres in (Jardner Townslii|), ids present home. 
Through the efforts of the owner a great transforma- 
tion has taken place, the land now being divided 
into rich and fertile fields, wiiile a good dwelling 
and barns greatly enhance the value of the prop- 
erty. For a helpmate on life's journey, Mr. Sims 
chose Miss Mary E. Robson, thtir union being 
celebrated in Springfield, September 10, 1857. The 
lady was born in Curran Township, and is a daugh- 
ter of David P. and Luc}' Robson. Her father 
was one of tlie earliest settlers of this section of 
the State, coming to the county from Kentucky in 
1819. He was a son of Edward Robson who was 
born Loudoun County, Va., but in iiis youth 
rouKjved to Nelson County, K}*., where he learned 
and followed the hatter's trade. He married Jane 
Ilanley of Virginia and thej' removed to Polk 
Couut\', whence they came to Sangamon County. 
Tlicir last days were spent on the Seth Wickham 
farm in Oardner Township. Their son David, 
faiher of Mrs. Sims, was born in Caldwell Count}-, 
Ky.. March G, 181G, and at the age of five yeaKS 
was brought to Illinois. In 1836, he married Lucy 
Sims and upon a farm in Curran Township they 
began their domestic life. lie was a faithful mem- 
ber of the Methodist Ciiurch, an active worker in 
the Master's vineyard and died in 1876. 



Mrs. Sims was the second in a family of ten 
children and her birth occurred September 25, 
1840, in Curran Township. The children born to 
our subject and his wife are James P., now a teacher 
of Riverton, who was educated in Valparaiso, Ind., 
Lucy A., wife of F. Lamberson of Chicago; Mary 
E., wife of H. W. Jameson of Gardner; Jennie A. 
at home; George J. who is engaged in the grocery 
business at Chicago; Martha T., Marion T., Eunice, 
Almeda and Charles H. They also lost one child, 
Albert, who died at the age of two years. In political 
sentiment, Mr. Sims is a stanch Repulilicau, having 
supported that party since its organization. He is 
a School Director, which position he has filled for 
twenty years and from 1877 until 1879, inclusive, 
he served as Collector. He is a charter member 
of Hope Lodge, No. 3055, F. M. B. A., in which 
he holds the otiice of President. An honest, up- 
right life has won him the confidence and good will 
of the community and he is numbered among the 
representative citizens of Gardner Township. 

On another page of this volume the reader will 
notice a ])ortrait of Mr. Sims. 



-^»£>— 



OL. JOHN F. KING. It is doubtful if 
there now resides in this county a man more 
^' generally respected and hioked upon as 
honorable and useful in his day and generation than 
Col. King, whose life histor}' it is our purpose to 
briefly outline. He is tlie owner of four hunilred 
acres of valuable improved land in Clear Lake 
Township, where he has a home furnished with all 
the comforts and man}' of the luxuries of life. He 
has not always been a farmer, although he was 
reared andd rural surroundings and thoroughly 
learned the vocation in his early life. As a work- 
man iu one of the trades and in business capacities 
under the Government, he has been equally pains- 
taking and true, being one of those men who believe 
that "whatever is worth doing is worth doing well." 
He was born December 12, 1831, in Clear Lake 
Township, .Sangamon County 111., in which the 
most of his life has lieen passed. His parents were 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



583 



William B. and Anna R. (Greoninr;) King, natives 
of Virginia, the former born in Fauquier County 
in 1779 and the latter in 1785. hotli having re- 
moved with their parents to Kentuckv — and it was 
in that State tiiey were married and eleven of their 
children were born, all except the subject of the 
sketch who was born in this count}' as above 
stated. They made quite an early settlement in this 
county, coming in 1829; their home for some years 
being on a farm in German Prairie. Their son of 
whom we write was educated in the common 
schools, the schoolhouses being built of logs, with 
slabs for seats, and the windows being holes cut in 
the wall with planks to slide backward and forward 
over them. 

Col. King remained with his parents on their 
farm until 1857, when he began his labors at the 
carpenter's and joiner's trade. He was thus employed 
for some three years. The Civil War had not long 
been in progress ere he had made his arrange- 
ments to take his place at the front. He enlisted 
.lune 10, 18G2. in the One Hundred and Fourteenth 
Illinois Infantry, recruiting Company I of which he 
was elected Captain. He did not receive his com- 
mission, however, but on the organization of the 
regiment was elected and commissioned, — Septem- 
ber 18, 1862 — as Lieutenant-Colonel. August 4, 
1864, he received a commission as Colonel, but 
never mustered, as the regiment was then reduced 
to a minimum and was not entitled to a Colonel. 

Col. King took part in several decisive battles, 
including the first tight at Jackson, Miss., the siege 
of Vicksburg, the siege of Jackson, and others. In 
the intervals between the heavy engagements he 
bore the part of a valiant and efficient oflicer injthe 
skirmishes, scouts and marches which belonged to 
a soldier's life, as well as in the monotonous, but 
necessary round of camp duties, which fell to his 
position. On account of physical inability he sent 
in his resignation, December 7, 1864, was mustered 
out of the service and returned to the North. 

On his return home Col. King purchased a farm 
near Mechanicsburg, where he resided about six 
months, when he sold out and purchased the site of 
his |)resent home. He was not allowed to bury him- 
self in the quiet of a farm-house, but on January 
15, 1866, was appointed Assistant Assessor of 



Internal Revenue of the Eighth District of Illinois. 
February 28, 18G7, he received the appointment of 
Inspector of distilled spirits in the Eighth District, 
and on November 22, 186;t, was appointed Internal 
Revenue Storekeeper, ][He was occu|)ied in these 
positions twelve years,-and altlK)ugh,as is always the 
case, his action was sometimes criticised, his work 
proved satisfactory to the majority of the people. 

Col. King was married to ^Mary J. Threlkeld 
October 18, 1860. The bride was born in Kentucky, 
January 5, 1838, to Thomas and Melinda Threlkeld, 
who reared their daughter to habits of usefulness. 
Colonel and Mrs. King arc the parents of nine chil- 
dren, seven of whom are now living — Elraa E., 
John L., Jessie V.. Charles W., Henry O., Tilly M. 
and William B. Of those deceased Edgar, breathed 
his last April 3, 1 873; Thomas M., died August 26, 
1889. 

Col. King was Justice of the Peace prior "to the 
war, from 1858 — 62 in which he served four years, 
and he likewise acted as Secretary of the Old Settlers' 
Society for^thren years. He is one of j the most 
prominent members of the Republican party in 
the county, and, believing fully in the worth of the 
party principles is ready to give his best efforts to 
their support and promulgation. He was nomi- 
nated as Representative and defeated in November, 
1890, in the great political cj'clone of that year. 
He however, carried his own township by the 
largest majorit}- anyone ever did. He has many 
friends even among his i)olitical opponents, and 
is indeed highly esteemed by all]who know him. 
He and his estimable wife are honored members of 
the Christian Church. 

1^^- 




RS. ANN GIBSON, or '-Aunt Ann" as she 
is more familiarly known, is one of the 
LSi earliest settlers in Curran Township now 
lining. No member of the pioneer band. 
to whose hardihood, industiy and perseverance 
amid discouragements the present generation are 
indebted for the comforts that surround them, is 
more deserving of representation in a volume of 
this nature than she. For 3-ears her life was one 



584 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of toil and lianUliip, her labors heightened by the 
lack of modern conveniences, yet every trial was 
cheerfull}' borne, every new demand upon her 
energies met with a spirit that lightened the bur- 
den. In looking back over her most toilsome days 
she is grateful that they never lacked for plenty 
to eat and enough to wear, homesiiun though their 
clothing was and plain their fare. 

Mrs. Gilison w.as born in Philadelphia, Pa., 
December 2G, 1814, her parents being James and 
Amelia (Troball) Finley. Slie was a babe of two 
months old when they removed to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, ami she was left an orphan when but four 
years of age. She had one brotuer, James, who 
is probablj' deceased. In the paternal line she is 
of Scotch-Irish descent, while her mother was of 
German ancestry. After the death of her parents 
Ann Fiiile}' was reared by an aunt, IM.ay Robinson, 
conlinuing to reside in Cincinnati until she was 
sixteen years old. She had the best school advan- 
tages the city afforded and accjuired a good educa- 
tion. Her home was on Broadway and many a 
time Gen. AVilliam Henry H.arrison led his little 
daughter and our subject along the street to school. 
Tiiere the maiden saw Gen. LaFa^'ette many times, 
and made the ^personal acquaintance of Andrew 
Jackson. 

In 1830 Miss Finley went with her aunt to Gal- 
latin County, Ky., where Mr.s. Robinson and her 
son owned a large farm, bordering on the Ohio 
River, and dealt in wood extensively*. There, 
May 14, 1833, she became the wife of Preston 
Gil)Son. That gentleman was born in Boone Count}', 
Ky., and was a son of John and Nancy (Hampton) 
Gibson, the former a native of Bourbon and the 
hitter of Boone County. Mrs. John Gibson was a 
relative of the well-known Wade Hampton, the 
Southern statesman. John Gibson became the 
possessor of a large tract of valuable land in 
Boone County, on the Ohio bottoms, and carried 
on extensive planting interests. He also entered 
land in Sangamon Count}', 111., upon which he 
settled some of his children. 

Preston Gibson received a good edncation, and 
being possessed of more than ordinai-y mental abil- 
ity profited by his opportunities and became rarel}- 
well-informed on man}' topics. lie had fine business 



capabilities, as was evidenced by the success witii 
which he prosecuted the work to which he gave 
his attention. He began his personal career by 
embarking in the mercantile business in Warsaw, 
Ky., continuing it until after his marriage, when 
with his young bride he eame to this State. They 
traveled by boat to Beardstown, where an ox-team 
was hired to convey their goods to Curran Town- 
ship, this county, Mrs. Gibson riding on horseback. 
June 12, 1833, about a month after their mar- 
riage, the young couple took possession of a quar- 
ter-section of land that had been entered by Mr. 
Gibson's father. It was then a wilderness and 
very lew neighbois resided within the town- 
ship, and those at some distance apart. Mr. Gib- 
son built a log house, ICxlG feet, and his vvife 
helped to Lay the floor, which was pegged down, the 
husband being ill at the time. 

In the log bouse Mr. and IMrs. Gibson resided 
for several years, enduring the usual privations 
of frontier life, all the cooking being done by a 
fireplace, clothes made from wool and flax of their 
own raising, and their trials added to by fever and 
ague which preyed upon their physical strength. 
At times they would become so tired of their sur- 
roundings that they would make a trip back to 
Kentucky to enjoy the comforts of life and the 
society of their old friends. Mrs. Gibson made 
two trips with a two-horse team and wagon when 
there were no bridges over the creeks which they 
were obliged to cross. She has also made the jour- 
ney by boat and rail. Mr. Gibson engaged in 
farming and stock-raising, his principal domestic 
animals in the early days being swine. He also 
bought hogs, driving them to St. Louis, Mo., which 
was the nearest important market. The hardy pio- 
neers were very successful in their worldly afifairs 
and became the owners of six hundred acres of 
land. 

Mr. Gibson was in early life a Whig, but later 
became a Bell Denioci'at, and was a member of the 
Bell Committee in 1860. He possessed the wide 
information, mental enei'gy and fine character 
which gave him a po.'-ition of prominence and 
made his influence felt over a wide circle of coun- 
try. His social qualities were such as to render 
him i)0[iular, which is luit true of all men who are 




A. BOYD. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



587 



conspicuous in the work of a community. lie died 
of consumption September 8, 1863, at tiie age of 
fifty-three j'ears, four montiis and eleven days. 

After her husband's demise Mrs. Gibson took 
charge of the farm, operating it successfully, and 
gaining the reputation of being as good a farmer 
as anyone in the neigliborhood. !she was adminis- 
tratrix of tlie estate, which, under her able man- 
agement, proved llie source of an income more 
than sufficient to meet tiie wants of liie family. Slie 
divided the properly with tlie children, retaining 
one hundred and twent}- acres, which is a |)art of 
the original homestead on which she has lived since 
1833. This is well improved, having commodious 
and substantial buildings, and is one of the land- 
marks of the count}'. Mrs. Gibson now rents the 
land. 

A woman of strong mental capacity, keeping 
well informed regarding the affairs of the world, 
"Aunt Ann" naturally has her own opinions regard- 
ing matters of public policy as well as household 
economy, and in all womanly ways is ready to 
advocate her theories. She believes in democracy 
in Governmental affairs. She became a member 
of the Methodist E^piscopal Church when thirteen 
years old and is a charter member of the Mt. Zion 
class. While in Kenluckj% prior to her marriage, 
she started a class, and the first cabin in which she 
lived in this county was thrown open for preach- 
ing aiid praj'cr meetings. She is active in her sup- 
port of the church work in its various phases, 
giving liberally of her means, and as far as her 
strength will permit, of her personal services. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Gibson four children were 
born, of whom we note tiie following: John E. is 
now living in Andrew County, Mo.; Nancy M., 
who married William Trimble, died in Curran 
Township, this county; James W. formerly lived 
with his mother and had charge of the place; he 
used to go South or West every fall to iiunt and 
fish and recruit his health, which was not good. 
In 1889 he became very sick and went to Las 
Vegas, N. M., where lie died three weeks later. 
His death was a severe blow to his mother, whose 
companion and mainstay he had been for years. 
His political preference was for Rei)ublican prin- 
ciples and he licM the office of Postmaster at Cur- 



ran for several years. Hampton, who lives on a 
part of the home farm, married Susan A., daugh- 
ter of Dr. A. A. Paiteson, a Kentuckian, who was 
formcrl\- a prominent physician of this count\-. 
Hamilton Gibson was Sheriff from 1880 to 1882. 
Mrs. Gibson also reared two nieces who were left 
orphans when mere babes, and managed their busi- 
ness as administratrix to the estate of which they 
were heiresses. The older of these, Luella M. 
Gibson, niprried J. Gardner and died in Gardner 
Township. The younger, Mamie, died at home. 



3aiHj 




RCIIIBALD BOYD. In the death of such 
men as the late Archibald Boyd the entire 
community suffers a loss that is irreparable. 
The daily life, wherein he displa3'e(l the 
virtues of a true Christian, the long and persevering 
interest in all that pertains to the mental and spiri- 
tual advancement of mankind, and the industrious 
labors in behalf of his immediate family circle, alike 
exert ah influence over all on-lookers. For almost 
a quarter of a century this bi'ight example was set 
before the people of Illiopolis by him whose cog- 
nomen introduces these paragraphs, and whose por- 
trait will be noticed on the opposite page. 

At Fairfax Courthouse, Va., in November, 1813, 
the eyes of Archibald Boyd opened to the light of 
da}'. In his boyhood he became a resident of 
Christian County, Ky., and in 1833 came to this 
State. Here he was engaged in farming until 1850, 
when he made the overland journey to California 
and became a miner. His good judgment and 
steady industry availed to improve his fortunes and 
in 18o2 he returned to the Prairie State with an 
adde<l store of "filthy lucre." He settled in Macon 
Count}-, resumed the pursuit of agriculture and in 
18(;o established the home at Illioiwlis that is still 
occupied by his widow. Worldly success continued 
to perch upon his banners and at the time of his 
demise he owned some seven hundred acres of 
land. 

Mr. Boyd was a member of the Masonic order. 
In politics he was a stanch Rc|)ublican and during 
the life of Abraham Lincoln was a warm [jcrsonal 



688 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



friend of that gentleman. He took a keen delight 
in the education of the young and all things that 
pertained thereto, and upon his own children 
bestowed ever}' possible advantage. He was a 
member of the Christian Church for over forty 
years, and during that long period never permitted 
worldly affairs to interfere with his religious life. 
The church in its various phases of religious work 
found a liberal and capalile supporter in him. 

In 1875 Mr. Boyd was married to Eliza F. Hamp- 
ton, a representative of one of the early families of 
the State. Her father, John Hampton, and her 
grandfather, James Hampton, were well and favor- 
ably known in this county, where they lived for 
many years. Since the death of her husband Mrs. 
Boyd has purchased the old Hamiiton homestead, a 
fine estate of two hundred acres near Mechanics- 
burg. The family of our .subject and his estimable 
wife consists of six children, all living at home. 
The husband and father entered into rest October 
16, 1884, his death resulting from paralysis. 



\Y?OHiSr S. BRADFORD holds the important 
Federal office of United States Commissioner 
and is one of the most honored citizens of 
Springfield. In earlier life, as Lieutenant of 
the Springfield Cadets and as an officer in two wars, 
he won a distinguished military record and has also 
distinguished himself in public life in important 
civic offices. He was born June 9, 1815, in Phila- 
delphia, Pa. His father was a native of Delawaie 
and died in Philadelphia in 181C. Our subject 
learned the trade of a book-l)inder in his native 
city and in 1835. being a}'outh of a venturesome, 
daring disposition, he decided to see something of 
the country and started on a pedestrian tour for 
the City of Mexico. He made his way to Pitts- 
burg and went from there by boat to Cincinnati and 
from there to Dayton, Ohio, and finally arrived at 
Richmond, Ind. There he abandoned his pur- 
pose of visiting the land of the Aztecs as he had 
an opportunity to work at his trade, and while in 
that city was induced to join a corps of I'nited 
States engineers who were constructing a wagon- 



road known as the "National Road," which was be- 
ing built at the expense of the Government. That 
w.is in the year 1837 and the law authorizing the 
construction of the road had been enacted by the 
Democrats contrary to one of the cardinal tenets 
of the party at the time, which was decidedly 
against all internal improvements at public expense. 
President Jackson, however, favored the idea of 
such a road as being a military necessity and it was 
continued from Cumberland, Md., to Vandalia, 
then the capital of Illinois, at which point the 
engineers disbanded, the capital being in transit 
then to Springfield. 

In De<*mber, 1840, Mr. Bradford came to this 
city and in the spring of 1841 he bought the inter- 
est of Mr. Burehell in the book-bindery of Burchell 
(fe Johnson and became one of the firm of Johnson 
& Bradford. Soon after coming to Springfield he 
became a member of the vSpringSeld Cadets, of 
which he vvas appointed Lieutenant, and through 
his connection with the military organizations of 
Illinois he finally was enabled to set foot on Mex- 
ican soil. During the Mormon troubles the cadets 
were ordered to Nauvoo by Gov. Ford in 1845 and 
did good service there. Iti 1840 Mr. Bradford 
enlisted in Company A, Fourth Illinois Infantry, 
commanded h>' Col. E. D. Baker, and was commis- 
sioned Quartermaster of his regiment by Gov. 
Fold, and as such he accompanied it to Mexico. 
After his arrival in that country he was made Com- 
missary of the LTnited States Army. He was present 
at the bombardment and capture of Vera Cruz, was 
at the battle of Cerro Gordo, and in other battles, 
returning with his regiment to Springfield in 1847. 

Jaiuiary 1, 1849, our subject joined the vast 
army of people that was pushing its waj- on to 
California in search of gold. He went by the way 
of the Isthmus of Panama, and after a voj'.age of 
eighty -seven days on the Pacific Ocean arrived in 
San Francisco, May 20, 1849. He made Benicia 
his headquarters and became a man of prominence 
there. AVhen the military commander of the de- 
partment of the Pacific ordered a government to 
be formed for a new State he vvas elected to repre- 
sent a district extending north to Oregon, e^st to 
the Sacramento River, and south to the Bay of San 
Francisco. The Legislature organized the Slate 



PORTRAIT AND BIOURAPHICAL ALBUM. 



589 



and divided il into cfiiiiilies witiiout evei' having 
passed through a terriloiial probation. Mr. Brad- 
ford was re-elected as a member of tlie Legislature 
in 1850, bis district liaving been reconstructed to 
inchide five counties. In 1851 our subject retraced 
his steps homeward, his family having remained in 
Springfield, and his business relations withMr. .lohn- 
son having continued, lie became an active figure in 
public life. In 1857 he i^erved as Superintendent 
of Public Instruction in Sangamon County and he 
was one of tlie Commissioners to divide tlie county 
into townships and name them. He was conspicu- 
ous in the administration of tlie |)ublic affairs of 
Sijringfield, which he served as Treasurer, Alder- 
man, and Mayor at various times. 

When tlie war of the Union broke out our sub- 
ject's former military life brought him into prom- 
inence among the soldiery of Illinois and he was 
commissioned by Gov. Yates as Commissary, with 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, his commission, whicii 
bore tlie date of April llj, 18G1, being the first ever 
issued by Gov. Yates in connection with the War 
(if the Rebellion. He managed the affairs of his 
oIBce ver}' efficiently and was very zealous in the 
discharge of his duties. As Commissary he pre- 
jiared quarters for the first soldiers rendezvoused 
by the State and called their camping ground 
Camp Yates. 

In 18G9 our subject severed his connection with 
l\Ir. Jolmson and openeil a book-store whicli he 
sold in 1873. He then removed to Aberdeen, Miss., 
and after a stay there of two years returned to 
Springfield. In 187G he became Crier for the 
Court and subsequently was appointed United 
Mates Commissioner, a (josition he still holds. He 
is one of the stanchest members of the Democratic 
party in this section of the country an<l is a prom- 
inent member of the Masonic order and a Knight 
Templar. 

Mr. Bradford was married July 15, 1841, to Miss 
Adeline M. Semple, the wedding ceremon}' that 
made them one being celebrated at Brandenburg, 
Ky. A pleasant wedded life has been vouchsafed 
to them and has been blessed b^- tlie birth of seven 
children. Mrs. liradford is a sister of the Hon. 
James Semple, who was formerly Charge de Affaires 
to New (iranada. South America, and was subse- 




quently United States Senator from Illinois and 
one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the 
State. Mr. Bradford is one of the leading mem- 
bers of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in which he 
is Senior or Parish Warden. He is a man of ex- 
ceptionally fine character, who is foremost in every 
good work calculated to elevate the moral or social 
status of the comnninitv and his generosity and 
benevolence are too well known to need comment 
here. 



vILLIAM R. LOCHRIDGE. Were the firm 
A/i/ of Lochridge Bros, to withdraw their 
W^ business from the town of Pawnee, a lack 
would be felt in the enterprises of that prosperous 
place, which it would take some time to supply. 
They are engaged in banking, dealing in grain, 
slock and real estate, and are also interested in the 
agricultural work of the vicinity. The bank, 
which is a private enterprise, occupies a well-built 
brick edifice at a favorable point on the main street, 
and their other enterprises occupy such rooms as 
are necessa;-}'. The gentleman whose name intro- 
duces this sketch is the senior member of the firm 
and the original dealer in Pawnee. 

Mr. Lochridge is a native of this coiuily, born 
in Ball Township, January 10, 1845. He received 
his education in the schools of the county, displayed 
a ready intelligence in comprehending the practical 
bearing of that \yhich he found in hooks, and since 
he grew to manhood has aptly applied his teachings 
to the business of life. He remained with his par- 
ents until his marriage, which took place in Auburn 
Township, April 22, 18(19, his biide being Mary E. 
XuckoUs. He then established his home in Pawnee 
and began to deal in live stock and general mer- 
chandise. He continued these occupations until 
1888, when the mercantile business was dropped, 
as tlie other affairs in whicli the Lochridge Bros, 
were engaged were more to their taste and geemcd 
to i)romise better results. 

Since 187G our subject has been associated with 
his brother, John R. Lochridge. In March, 1890, 
they opened the banking-house, wliit-h is already 



590 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



doing a good business and is firmly establislied in 
the opinions of the citizens liereabout. Tlie mem- 
bers of tlie firm own seven hundred acres of land, 
most of which is in Pawnee Township, besides val- 
uable village propertj-. This fact is concUisive 
evidence of tlieir business tact and good judgmeat 
regarding investments. They make their different 
enterprises fit together, and in carrying on their 
varied affairs, display the utmost courtesy, a high 
sense of honor, and a desire to do well by those 
with whom they deal, while not neglecting their 
own interests. 

The pleasant home of Mr. Lochridge is bright- 
ened by the presence of five sons: Charles W., 
George R., Frank H., Stanley A. and Willard F. 
The parents have been bereft of two sons, p]dward 
H., their second child, who died when thirteen 
years old, and John W., their sixth, who died at 
the age of three years. Their grief has but drawn 
them closer together and made tliem more mindful, 
if that were possible, of the wants of those who 
survive and their lovable qualities. Mrs. Locliridge 
finds her greatest enju^nient in the oversight of 
her home and in doing all that she can to make it 
attractive to her husband and children. She does 
not, however, neglect society, but finds lime and 
opportunity for a cordial intercourse with other 
members of the community and deeds of neighborly 
kindness. 

Mr. Lochridge has been Supervisor of Pawnee 
Township three successive terms. The social orders 
with which he is identified are those of Masonry 
and jNIodern Woodmen of America. He is one of 
those men who believe that the curse of the liquor 
traffic must be suppressed before our nation can 
rise to its proper height of greatness and he de- 
votes himself, heart and soul, to labors in the ranks 
of the Prohibition |)arty. He and iiis wife have 
good standing in the Methodist Episcojjal Church. 

The parents of our subject were William A. and 
Sarah (Moore) Lochridge. The f.ather was born 
in Montgomery County, Ky., in 1810, and the 
mother was a native of Virginia. They were mar- 
ried in the Blue (irass State, whence they came to 
this county in 1835, settling in Ball Township. 
There the faithful wife and mother breathed her 
last in 1857. The husband and father survived 



until 1879. Both belonged to the Presbyterian 
Church and conscientiously endeavored to carry its 
precepts into all the affaiis of life. Their family 
consists of Berilla, Julia A., Elizabeth M., Mar- 
garet, Sarah B., William R. and John R. 




NDRP:W B. McCONNELL, justice of the 
Peace, residing at No. 115 North Sixth 
(t Street, Springfield, has long been iden- 
iQ^ tified with the interests of Sangamon 

Countj', of which he is an old and honored settler, 
and he has been a [jrominent factor in its develop- 
ment. He was born in Madison County, N. Y., 
five miles south of Morrisville, January 28, 1821. 
His parents were James and Sarah (Smith) Mc- 
Connell. He received his education in his native 
town, and during his youth lived near Eaton, in the 
same county. 

At the .age of twenty our subject carae westward 
to seek his fortune in company with his father and 
in the fall of 18-il, located in Woodside Township, 
taking up a tract of wild laud. The father returned 
to New York State. He actively entered upon the 
work of evolving a farm, and a year later was 
joined by his father and other members of the 
family, lie having made preparations for them dur- 
ing the summer of 1842. In the years that followed 
our subject met with more than ordinary prosperity 
in the pursuit of his calling as a farmer and stock- 
laiser. He was prominently engaged in raising sheep 
and in the wool business for a long term of years, 
and he gathered together a valuable property. He 
had a fine farm of six hundred and forty acres, 
which he finally sold for a round sum of money. 
He also engaged extensively in trading in the fine 
sheep of Texas, and was one of the most enterpris- 
ing and active stock-men of the county while he 
was in the business. He finally sold out in 1878, 
and in 1871) moved to town. 

Our subject did not remain in single blessedness 
very long after coming to this State, but as soon 
as he could arrange it and had his affairs in a 
rtourishing condition, he returned to New Y^ork to 
celebrate his marriage with IMiss Augusta Rogers, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



591 



anrl there they were wedded September 20, 1843. 
He brought his bride to liis new home and life 
passed for them plensantlj' on the farm in Wood- 
side till he was deprived of her conipanio)isliip by 
death in 1878. They reared a family of eight 
children, all of whom are still living, as follows: 
Mrs. D.W. .Smith; F. R. McConnell,of Ciiero, Tex.; 
F. (). McConnell, of Chicago; Sarah, wife of W. S. 
Merriman, of Marshalltowu, Iowa; John D., an 
attorney; Will and Mrs. W. II. Webster, of Mar- 
shalltown. Iowa, and A. I), of Little Rock, Ark. 

Our subject has long mingled in the public life 
of .Sangamon County, and has done good service 
in various otlicial capacities. lie was l)e|)uty 
Sheriff for eight years and was Sheriff of the county 
for one term. He was a member of the County 
Board of Supervisors during his residence in Wood- 
side, representing that township, and for four years 
he ably served as Chairman of the Board. He was 
a member of the School Board and held other 
minor local offices. In 1886 he was elected to (ill 
a vacancy in the office of Justice of the Peace and 
in 1888 he was elected to the same office for the 
full term of four years, and is ablj- and satisfactor- 
ily discharging the duties devolving upon iiira. He 
has done much to forward the farming interests of 
this county and for eighteen years was one of tlie 
most earnest and active members of the old State 
Agricultural Society, of which he was President for 
two terms of two years each. In hi^ political views 
he is decidedly a Democrat and always has the 
cordial support of liis party. 



E^^'- 



W 



t ILLIS CHRISMAN is a worthy and greatly 
njii respected member of the farming commu- 
nily of Loami Township, where he has 
been industriously engaged in agriculture since 
1854. He was born near Ilopkinsville, Christian 
County, Ky., June 16, 1818. His grandfather, 
whose name was George Chrisman, was a native of 
Germaiiy, and came to America in Colonial days. 
He settled in North Carolina, whence he snlise- 
quontly went to Kentucky and was among the first 
to locale in Christian County. In 1825 he made 



another move, and coming to this State became one 
of the first settlers of Morgan County, where he 
entered land and followed farming until death 
closed his earthly pilgrimage about 1830. 

John Chrisman, the father of our subject, came 
to Illinois with his parents in 1825. He located 
near Jacksonville, where he entered land and 
engaged in farming until his career was suddenly 
closed by his untimely death in 1849. The mother 
of our subject bore the maiden name of Nancy 
Bobbitt, w.as a native of Kentucky and died in this 
State in 1857. She was a zealous Christian woman 
of the Baptist faith. Grandfather Bobbitt did 
brave service during: Hie Revolutionary struggle 
for Independence. 

Our subject was born in a log caliin that was 
nestled among the hills of Kentucky, and was one 
of a large familj' of eleven children, of whom five 
are now living. His parents vvcre so poor that 
they could not afford to send him to school, as in 
those days education was not free. However, he 
was an industrious 3'outh and made the most of his 
opportunities. He was of great assistance to his 
father in carrying on his farming operations and 
he remained with him until he was twenty-four 
years old. At that age he rented some land and 
began farming for himself. The first land he ever 
owned he purchased near Jacksonville in Morgan 
County, in 1853. In 1854 he disi)osed of that 
piece of property and cam(! to this county, invest- 
ing his money in land in Loami Township, where 
he has ever since made his home. He now owns a 
farm of eighty acres of excellent land, which he 
has improved himself. He has here a neat resi- 
dence and all the necessary farm buildings, and the 
grounds around the house are adorned by beautiful 
Cottonwood and walnut trees which he jilanted 
years ago. and which have grown to be quite large. 
INIr. Chrisman in this, his seventj'-second year, 
raised twenty-five acres of as good corn as there is 
in this township, tilling the ground and cultivating 
it himself, besides attending to the stock and dis- 
charging various other tasks. 

Mr. Chrisman was married in 1842 to Miss 
Rachael Bryan, a native of this county and a 
daughter of Larkin Br3an, one of the first settlers 
of Springfield. When Mr. Chrisman and his bride 



.'jn2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



l)e<i;an life together they were very poor, and 
being unable to procure the necessary furnishings 
to estai)lish tliemsclves in housekeeping, they bor- 
rowed two knives an<l forks, two tin pans and a 
few similar things. They used a tool chest for a 
table and what little other furniture they had was 
of a most primitive sort. They worked hard and 
carefully economized, and by thrift and frugality 
succeeded in acquiring a comfortable properly bj' 
the time they had reared their family. The fruit 
of tiieir marriage is five children, namely: Stan- 
ford II., Larkiii H., llattie (deceased ), Ellen and 
Josie A. 

For more than forty years our subject and his 
good wife walked life's road hand in hand and 
shared each others' joys and troubles, but their 
wedded bliss was brought to a close by the death 
of Blrs. Chrisman in 1883. IShe was at that time 
fifty-eight years of age, having been born Decem- 
ber 7, 1825. She wiis a woman who possessed 
many Christian virtues, and for a long period be- 
fore her death was an active member of the Bap- 
tist Church. She was regarded with great esteem 
not only by her husband and children, but by their 
neighbors and friends who were often indebted to 
her for various kindly favors. Mr. Chri-sman is a 
man of sound integrity, obliging and pleasant in 
his relations with others and is considered one of 
our most reliable citizens. He has always been a 
Democrat and gives his party stanch support. 

^^^EOllGE H. SOUTHER. Among the many 
'11 ,—-. financiers who are favorablj' known in the 
^^^ business circles of Springfield, is the gentle- 
man whose life history will be briefly outlined in 
the accompanying paragraphs. He is now Treas- 
urer of the Sangamon Loan it Trust Company, a 
corporation which was organized in 1886 with a 
capital stock of $100,000, and which is doing a gen- 
eral savings bank business, having about eigiit hun- 
dred depositors. The bank and private offices aie 
located at the corner of Washington and Sixtii 
Streets. 

Mr. Souther is a native of Essex County, Mass., 



and a son of Timothj' ami Piliza (Greenough) 
Souther, in the paternal line he is descended from 
an old familj' which was first represented in the Bay 
State in 1G57, and in the maternal line his ancestry 
is equally' honorable. The parents removed to 
Madison Count}-, III., during the year 181'2, and in 
that county our subject completed his education. 
He was engaged in mercantile put suits for a year 
or two prior to the breaking out of the Civil War. 
In 1862 he enlisted in Company F. Seventieth Illi- 
nois Infantry, and was detailed Post Commissary 
Sergeant at Camp Butler. On his return from the 
army he served as Chief Clerk in the United States 
mustering and disbursing office at Springfield until 
1865, when he began prosecuting claims against the 
Government. 

In 1870 Mr. Souther epi barked in the l)anking 
business, and in that enterprise has continued to 
the present time. He is a member of the firm of 
Latham & Souther, which was organized in 1874, 
and carries on transactions in real estate and real 
estate loans. The Sangamon Loan & Trust Com- 
pany was organized by the members of this firm, 
and was incorporated with the following officers: 
John L. Davis, President; H. C. Latham. Secre- 
tary; and George H. Souther, Treasurer. Mr. 
Souther is also Treasurer of the Abstract and Title 
Guarantee Company, which was organized with a 
capital stock of $100,000. He has not given his 
attention to politics, but devotes his energy to the 
business enterprises in which he is engaged, and in 
the prosecution of which he is winning a compe- 
tence. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Re- 
public. 

At the bride's home in this city September 16, 
1873, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between 
our subject and Miss Nannie E. Latham. Mrs. 
Souther is a sister of II. C. Latham, whose sketch 
appears elsewhere in this volume, and is an intelli- 
gent, earnest woman, devoted to her family, yet 
social and hospitable. The happy home is bright- 
ened by the presence of three children — Latham T., 
Lucj' A. and Elizabeth. 

Timothy Souther, the father of our subject, was 
born in the old Bay Scate, and during Gen. Jack- 
son's administration was Collector of Customs at 
Ipswich. After he became a citizen of Illinois he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



593 




served for six 3ears as Postmaster of Alton. Dur- 
ing the latter part of his life he w.is busied as a 
railroad man. He died in Madison County in 1871, 
at the age of seventy-one years, llis wife was 
born and reared at Br.adford, Mass., and died in 
Springfield, 111., in 1880, at the ripe age of seventy- 
eight years. Her father was William Greenoiigh. 

^f?RTHUR C. CANFIP:LD is a native of this 
county, and although a young man, already 
I •> occupies an honorable place among its l)usi- 
ness men. He is a member of the firm of 
Brown & Canfield. the leading florists of .Spring- 
field, having a tine and well-appointed establish- 
ment at No. .527 Walnut .Street, where they have 
been together since August 1, 1887. Tlioy have by 
far the largest greenhouse in the city, having about 
seventeen thousand feet of glass, and they do both 
a large wholesale and retail business, principally in 
cut roses, and probably are the most extensive rose 
growers in the .State of Illinois, outside of Chicago. 

Mr. Canfield was born one mile west of S[)ring- 
field, October 9. 1864, and is the son of Henry D. 
Canfield. one of the early settlers, who came to this 
county in 1833. Henry D. was born in New Or- 
leans, La., in 1822. and came from there in his 
youth to Illinois, accompanying his father, who 
entered a farm of nine hundred and fifty acres, ten 
miles west of .Springlield. This estate the grand- 
father of our subject divided among his sons, and 
Henry D., in 18.57. selling his share, removed to 
near Springfield. Prior to his removal he was mar- 
ried, in 1856, to Anna G. Canfield, a daughter of 
the Rev. Josiah F. Canfield, who came to this county 
in 1855, from New Jersey. JMrs. Canfield was born 
in .Swedeshoro, that State, April 22, 1836. 

Our subject comes from one of the oldest fami- 
lies in bhis country' ; his first lineal ancestor in the 
United .States, Thomas Canfield, came from Yorks 
County, England, in 1640, and settled in Milford. 
Conn. Arthur C. descends from this ancestor 
through Thomas. Isr.ael, Abraham, Isaac, Robert 
and Henry D. His paternal ancestors for several 
generations were the strictest Puritans, and took a 



prominent part in the Hevolutionary War, two of 
them sealing their devotion with their lives. Mr. 
Canfield is also very much blessed in his maternal 
lineage, having eight generations of (Quaker ances- 
tors. His first ancestor on that side of the house in 
this country was John Roberts, who came over in 
the ship "Kent," and settled in Burlington County, 
N. J., in 1677. 

Arthur C. is one of five children now living born 
to Henry D. and Anna (Canfield) Canfield, and has 
two brothers and two sisters. When he was an in- 
fant his [)arents removed to No. 631 West Monroe 
Street, Springfield, wflich w.as his home until he 
completed his education in the city schools. xVfter 
leaving school he engaged in the dairy business 
from 1880 until 1887, when he formed a ])artner- 
ship with Mr. Brown, and they hare since been suc- 
cessfully engaged in business as florists. Mr. 
Canfield possesses an intelligent, thoughtful mind, 
is well informed on general subjects, and occupies 
a prominent position in" the social and religious cir- 
cles of this city. All who know him speak of him 
in the highest terms. He is a consistent member 
of the Second Presbyterian Church, and in his 
political views is a Prohibitionist, giving earnest 
support to that party. 




-■^-::;^g: - cti . 



ENJAMIN L. AUXIER, who is engage 1 in 
farming on section 35, Rochester Township 
is well known through.ont the county. The 
family to whidi he l)elongs was an e.ulv 
Virginian family and in that State his father, S:im- 
uel Auxier, was born. He married Ellen Harris, 
and the3' emigrated westward, locating in Hamilton 
County, 111., whence they removed to Shelby 
Countj', where the death of the wife and mother 
occurred. 

Benjamin L. was the youngest of the family. He 
was born in Shelby County, 111., .Ma}' 10, 1839. and 
at the age of seven years left home, going to Chris- 
tian County. He lived with a man by the name of 
Martin Hanon, who was one of the early settlers of 
that county, remaining with him until twenty 3'ears 
of age, during which time he worked at farm labor. 



594 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



II was not unlil llie nutiiran of 1861, tlmt he left 
Christian County nnd came to Sangamon Connty, 
but th(! following fall, laying aside all business in- 
terests, he responded to his country's call for troops, 
enlisting on the 1 1th of August, 1862. He became 
a uienilier of Company E, One Hundred and Four- 
teenth Illinois Regiment and served three years. At 
the b.attle of Vicksburg May 22, 1863, he was 
wounded in the hea<l, which necessitated his release 
from duty for three months. Cnless detained by 
sickness or iiijurN' he was ever found at his post of 
dut}', valiantly defending the old flag which now 
floats so prc'udly over our united nation. After 
three j'ears spent on the Southern battlefields, when 
the war was Ijrought to a close, he was honorably 
discharged at Spiingticld on the 3d of August, 
1865. 

Mr. Auxier then settled on a farm on section 35, 
Rochester Township, which h.as since been his home 
with the exception of eighteen months when ho was 
a resident of ICdinburg, being cra|)loyed during tliat 
time in carrying the mail from Edinburg to 
Mechanicsburg, 111. He also carried on a livery 
stable with a partner, and in that line of busi- 
ness was quite successful, lie is a lover of horses 
and has given not a little attention to their breed- 
ing. His farm com|)riscs one hundred acres of 
rich land, well cultivated and improved anci sni>- 
plied with all the necessary buildings. He has 
prospered in his business interests and by his fair 
dealing in all things has won the confidence and 
goodwill of those with whom he has been lirought 
in contact. In political sentiment he is a pro- 
nounced Republican and an ardent supporter of the 
party princi|iles, doing all in his power to secure 
their adoption. For about two years he served as 
Postmaster of South Fork, the office being at his 
residence. Mr. Auxier was the lirst Republican 
Postmaster in this vicinity. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of Stevenson Post, No. 30, G. A. R. of .Spring- 
field, and both he and his wife hold membership in 
the Chiistian Church. They are earnest workers 
in the Master's vineyard, give liberally to the sup- 
port of the cause and take an active part in .Sun- 
day-school work. 

Mr. Auxier has been twice married. In Taylor- 
ville, Chiistian County, he was united in marriage 



with Elizabeth Adams and unto them was born one 
child who died in infancy. The wife died in No- 
vember, 1861, and on the 7th of November, 1865, 
in Rochester Township, Mr. Auxier wedded Mrs. 
Almarinda (Bell) Galloway, daughter of Robert 
and .Susanna (Baker) Bell, and a widow of .Senford 
Galloway. Her parents, now deceased, are num- 
bered among the early settlers of Rochester Town- 
ship. Mrs. Auxier was born in that township, 
September 25, 1832, and was one of the younger 
members in a family of eleven children. In Maroh, 
18.j0, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Gallo- 
way and their union was blessed with four chil- 
dren — William N., who married Miss Emma Ham- 
lin and is now engaged in farming in Christian 
County; Robert E., who died at the age of one 
year; Lizzie Alice, wife of Leonard Mathews; and 
Emma who died at the age of seven years. The 
death of Mr. Galloway occurred September 14, 
1861. 

Mr. and Mrs. Auxier have spent their entire 
married life in Rochester Township and are not 
only widely-known throughout the community but 
are held in high regard by their many friends. For 
almost thirty years his life has here been spent and 
he has been .a witness of the growth and ])rogress 
of the con ntj', watching with interest its develop- 
ment and the advancement which it has made along 
the many lines of civilization. 



I D WARD DOERFLER is a prosperous manu- 
facturer of brick, and by his energy, tact 
■f, and enterprise has placed his business among 
the leading industries of Springfield Township and 
of this part of the county. For the history of his 
parents see sketch of Frederick Doerfler, of this 
volume. Of a family of seven children Edward 
was the 3'oungest, and he was born in Springfield, 
June 2, 1855. 

Our subject gleaned his education in the common 
schools and early commenced to carry on the busi- 
ness with his father in which he is at present en- 
gaged, remaining with him till his death in Maroh, 
1886. Since then he has continued with his mother 




\ 








PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



o97 



on section 35, SpringSeld Townsliip. The}' have 
here a fine place, replete with substantial improve- 
ments, including neat buildings and an ample, 
well-fitted up residence. Since liis father died our 
subject has continued the business alone and by his 
able management has steadily increased the nianu- 
f.acture of brick for which he has abundant facil- 
ities. He has been engaged at this for twenty-one 
years, or since he was a lad of fourteen years and 
therefore has a thorough knowledge of the best 
manner of manufacturing brick, and he sends 
out .1 million a year, which command a ready 
market. 

It is to such men of energetic enterprise, fore- 
thought and good business capacity that .Spring- 
field Township is indebted for its present high 
standing among its sister townships. Mr. Doerller 
has a quick, comprehensive mind and decided 
opinions of his own, especially in regard to poli- 
tics, wherein he takes sides with the Democrats. 

^/OHN AV. D. MAYE.S, M. D., a reputable 
member of the medical profession in Illiopo- 
lis, was born in Mexico, Mo.. October 25, 
1852. His parents, DruryD. and Mary A. 
(Barnes) Mayes, went to Oregon in 1864 in a prai- 
rie schooner and our subject, then a lad of twelve 
years, got his first idea of tlie great world during 
that journe>'. Just as the long trip was over the 
father died. The mother settled in Salem, Oregon, 
where our subject enjoyed the advantages of 
sui)erior schools, finishing his literary studies at the 
Willamette University. 

A taste for medical science seems to be a family 
trait and on leaving school ho of whom we write 
came to Illioiiolis and began the stud}' of medicine 
with his brother, Dr. D. J. Mayes, a phj'sician of 
note in this vicinity. After two years of close 
application the 3'oung man entered the St. Louis 
IMedical College in the fall of 1872 and took a 
course of lectures there, supplemented by a course 
in the clinical department of the hospital the fol- 
lowing summer. He then engaged in the drug bus- 
iness in Mechanicsburg, this State, still continuing 



his medical studies. In the winter of 1875-76 he 
.attended the Louisville, Ky., Medical College, from 
which he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 
the spring. Returning to this State he began the 
active practice of his profession at Illiopolis, where 
for four years he carried on his work conscien- 
tiously and efflcientl}'. 

At the ex|nration of that period the health of 
Dr. Mayes called for a change of climate and he 
went to Washington, opening an office at Golden- 
dale, where he practiced two and a half years. 
While there he was honored by President Hayes 
with the appointment of Post Surgeon, but his pri- 
vate practice was so large that he resigned the 
position. He was elected to the City Council and 
displayed his manhood by instituting such a war on 
the whisky traffic that it was not onl3- driven from 
the town, but was so far removed that there has not 
been a saloon in the county since. 

At the earnest solicitation of a wealthy brother. 
Dr. Mayes returned to Missouri and engaged in 
banking in Vandalia, thatStfxte, but the love of his 
profession soon brought him into active practice 
again in Illiopolis. His labors are almost exclu- 
sively among the better class of patients and it is 
safe to say they are not exceeded in number 113' 
those of any other physician in the vicinity. He 
enjo3's the unlimited confidence of his patrons, 
which has been won by his careful and conscientious 
work. He h.as been consulting physician in many 
difficult and dangerous operations and has acquitted 
himself with credit. 

The wife of Dr. Mayes bore the maiden name of 
Belle Ishmael and is a native of St. Louis, 
Mo. She is well read, accomplished and gracious 
in manner, understanding the art of making a 
happ3' home and carefully consulting the comfort 
of her husband and children. The family includes 
Earl G., Erma S. and Carwin S. 

Dr. Mayes belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternit3', 
Masonic order and the society of Modern Wood- 
men. In politics he is a He|)ubliean, now acting as 
central committeeman for the county and is Presi- 
dent of the Young Men's Republican Club. He is 
a member of the School Board and of the Christian 
Church, and in his relations with each is thought- 
ful and earnest in dischargin" the duties which 



598 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



devolve upon liiiu. lie is an unremitling student 
and liis otlioo teems vvilli the best books and peri- 
odicals of liis profession, while his home contains 
what is best in genera literature. The reader will 
be pleased to notice on another page a lithographic 
portrait of Dr. Mayes. 



W^'ILLIAM A. LESTER. Sangamon County 
is well-known for its pleasant homes and 
hospitable people, and in his home and 
cliaracter INIr. Lester fully sustains the reputation 
of the county. His home is one of the most ele- 
gant in Cliathain Townshii), and is presided over 
by his estimable wife, a lady of reQnement and 
culture, whose exquisite taste and love for the 
beautiful is shown within the cozy residence. The 
farm which Mr. Lester operates with marked suc- 
cess comprises eighty acres on section 22 and forty 
acres on section 27. 

"Washington County, Va., was the birthijlace of 
David I^ester, the father of our subject, who 
came to Illinois and located in Sangamon Counl3' 
in 1855, at a time when the imi)rovements of 
the present age were not even imagined, much 
less deemed [jractieable. Their first settlement was 
made in Williams Township, whence after farming 
for five years, the}' removed to Chatham Township. 
The father farmed there, and in 1880 died in .Au- 
burn Township. He was a Reiniblican and a mem- 
ber of the IJaptist Church during his earlj' life, but 
later joined the Second Day Advent Church. 

The mother of our subject, Elizabeth Robinson, 
was born in Washington County, Va., and now re- 
sides in Auburn Township, with a daughter and 
son. She h.as reached the advanced age of seventy- 
three years and is a member of the Advent Church. 
She bore her husband seven children, namely: 
Sarah, Mrs. Dodd, of Chatham Township; William 
A., our subject; John M., and Anilrew ,J., who died 
in Virginia; James N. and Hannah, residents of 
Auburn Township; Mattie, Mrs. Jeoffries, in Nuck- 
olls County, Neb. 

On a farm in Washington County, Va., where he 
was born April 17, 184-2, our subject passed his 



childhood, receiving the rudiments of his education 
in the pioneer schools, which he attended at irregu- 
ler intervals. Sei)tember 20, 1855, he left his t)ld 
home and came by team and v/agon to Illinois 
with nis |)arents, camping out by night. He crossed 
the Ohio River at Louisville, the Wabash at Terre 
Haute, reaching Williams Township on October 20, 
just one month from the day of his departure from 
Mrginia. He aided his father in farming and rear-, 
iog the other children, to whom he gave a home 
until his marriage. 

About the time of the close of the late war, Mr. 
Lester mot with a serious accident. A mule reared 
with him and threw him over backward, crushing 
his right limit so that it had to be amputated below 
the knee. This was indeed a most disastrous acci- 
dent for him and almost compelled him to give up 
farming, but at last with the aid of improved ma- 
chinery he was enabled to farm with success. Farm- 
ing has been his life work and he is familiar witli 
ever3'thing that is calculated to improve the con- 
dition of the land. He keeps on his estate the best 
riding machinery and the thrifty appearance of the 
homestead indicates the careful hand of the hus- 
bandman. 

In 1871 our subject purchased his present home- 
stead of one hundred and twenty acres, for which 
he [laid $30 per acre. It then had few improve- 
ments, but he has increased its value and embel- 
lished it with an excellent set of buildings. lie is 
a general farmer and stock-raiser, and has a number 
of fine horses, also good stock of all kind. His 
marriage was celebrated February 23, 1870, when 
Miss Mary J. Stevens became his wife. Her grand- 
father. Rev. G. W. Stevens, was born near Rich- 
mond, Va., as was also her father, who bore the 
same name and was a minister in the Radic.d 
Methodist Church. At an early d.ay the latter 
removed to Roxbury, Franklin County, Pa., where 
he married Miss Martha Patterson, a native of that 
county. 

From Roxbury, the Rev. G. W. Stevens, Jr., pro- 
ceeded to Chambersburg, Pa., where lie sojourned 
until 1848. Then coming West to Illinois he lo- 
cated in Exeter, Scott County, 111., where he labored 
as a minister, and afterward removed to Manches- 
ter, the same county. There he united with the 



I 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



599 



Missionary Baptist Cluircli. Finally liia sigiit be- 
oarnc so affected that in 1880, he retired from the 
ministry and now lives in T>oami, Sangamon County, 
111. He is totally blind, and a good, whole-souled 
Christian. During the laic war lie was an Alioli- 
tionist of the strongest liind and preached his be- 
liefs from the pulpit. The mother died in Man- 
cliester, III. 

The record of the children born to the Rev. Mr. 
Stevens and his estimable wife is as follows: Jolin 
P., Mary A., Theodore H., a resident of Auburn 
Township; Sarah F. (Mrs. Gibbs) died in Scott 
County; James T. and Andrew are deceased; John 
P., the eldest son, who is a resicient of New Berlin 
Township, served in the Civil War, enlisting in the 
One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry, 
in 18G2 and serving until the close of the war. 
He was Orderly Sergeant and was wounded in the 
heel at the siege of Vicksburg. 

Mrs. Lester was born January 1, 1838, in Cham- 
bersburg. Pa., and accompanied her parents to 
Scott County when only twelve years of age. Her 
education was received at Manchester and in the 
Winchester High School. Of Ihe four children 
born to her and her husband, one, Mattie, died at 
the age of twenty months. The others are: Ida 
M., Delia A., and William A., Jr., all at home. 
Mrs. Lester and Miss Ida are members of the Sec- 
ond Day Ailvent Church at Auburn. Mr. Lester 
is a strong Republican. He served acceptably as 
School Director for nine years and has done much 
to advance the cause of education in the com- 
munity. 



■^-^-i«S^^^=t+-^ 



VrSAAC N. PEARSON. Secretary of State, has 
I risen to his present position of eminence as one 
ij of the chief officers of this commonwealth, 
not alone by his personal popularity which is great, 
but partly through his long services to the public 
in various civic positions of trust and responsibility 
wherein he h.as always acquitted himself as a man 
of unblemished honor and a citizen of large public 
spirit. 

Mr. Pearson was born in Mercer County, Pa., 



July 27, 1842. His parents were Isaac S. and Lydia 
(Painter) Pearson, natives of Pennsylvania. His 
father was a merchant and was for many years en- 
gaged in business in Buller, his native county. He 
w.as quite a prominent man of affairs and at one 
time was a member of the State Legislature. In 
1846 he went to Philadelphia on business and while 
there was taken sick and died. Some years after 
this sad bereavement the family came to Illinois in 
1850, and the mother died in Macomb in 1872, at 
the age of sixty-six years on the anniversary of her 
birth. She was a woman of many virtues, of exem- 
plary Christian character, and from early woman- 
hood was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The following three of her seven children 
are now living: Josephine L., wife of S. T. Bryan, 
of Burlington, Iowa; Ella, wife of J. H. Cummings, 
of Macomb, and Isaac N. 

The subject of this biogra|)hical review .acquired 
his education in the public schools and in the select 
school of Prof. J. W. Mathews in Macomb which he 
attended two years. He has since extended hisedu 
cation by personal effort independent of instruction. 
At the youthful age of eighteen years he was called 
to the responsible position of Deputy Clerk of 
McDonough County, in which capacity he acted 
four years. The ensuing four years he clerked in 
a bank, and was then elected Circuit Clerk and was 
subsequently re-elected to that position serving 
eight years. At the expiration of that time he was 
made Cashier of the Union National Bank at Ma- 
comb, and only resigned that position upon being 
elected member of the House of Representatives 
in 1882 and having been elected at that time Vice- 
President of the Bank. 

In 1886 Mr. Pearson received the honor of beinc 
nominated by acclamation by the Republicans for 
the office of State Senator and he was elected by a 
majority of five hundred and eighth-one over the 
combined force of the Democrat-Greenback fusion 
ticket, which was a triumjih indeed, showing the 
marked popularity of the man and the high consid- 
eration in which he is held by all men regardless 
of party affiliations. In 1888 he was nominated by 
the Republican State Convention as its candidate for 
the office of Secretary of State, and as usual ran 
ahead of his ticket receiving a majority of twenty- 



600 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



five tlioiis.inil two liuiiilieil and ninety-eiglit, the 
lai'iijest number of votes given any camlidate on tlie 
ticket. 

Mr. Pearson has a strong nature combined with 
a pleasing pcrsonalitj-, true dignity, blended with a 
pleasant address and frank cordial manners that 
have won him the admiration of all with whom he 
associates and have gained him many close friends. 
lie has alwa3's conducted himself with such tact 
that though long before the public he has no ene- 
mies, and man}' of his truest frienrlships are with 
men of the o[)posing party who have often sup- 
l)orted him in his candidacy for the various offices 
of which he has been an incumbent. He is an un- 
tiring worker, devoting his best energies to the 
duties of his office and is never known to neglect 
the public weal for private interests. He is a true 
and tried Republican though by no means offen- 
sively partisan, and though he has had much to do 
with politics he is not in any sense a politician as 
the term is used to-day. He is well-known in 
social circles as one of the leading members of the 
Masonic order and of the Inde|)cndent Order of 
Odd Fellows. He has taken the degree of Rebecca, 
belongs to the Uniformed Patriarchs and is a mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of 
the Knights of Pythias and of tlie Elks. The four 
last of these have his name on their rolls as a char- 
ter member. He has been an Odd Fellow twenty 
five 3'ears. 



■S;)EORGE W. COUNCIL. Among the- early 
pioneers of this county who are mentioned 
'■^:si4l in the "Historj' of the Early Settlers of 
.Sangamon County," by J. C. Power, William 
Council, the father of our subject, occupied an 
honorable place. George Council, of whom we 
write, was reared amid the pioneer influences of 
this county, and since attaining manhood has been 
a prominent factor in developing its great agricul- 
tural interests. He is a wealthy farmer of Fanc}' 
Creek Township, where he owns a large and finely 
improved farm and is living in one of the most 
substantial and comfortable homes in this locality 



Our subject was born in Pike Count}-, 111., 
January 2, 1820. His father was a native of South 
Carolina, and came to Sangamon County in 1822, 
having come to the State in 1818. He settled in 
Springtield Township, by the Sangamon River, 
vi'here he ran a ferry boat for several years. He 
entered land in Fancy Creek Township, when it 
was a wild, sparsely settled place and Indians were 
more numerous than white people. He served as 
a volunteei' in the Black Hawk War and was classed 
among the most useful citizens of his adopted 
county. \Vhile yet in the midst of a busy life his 
career was suddenlj' cut short by his untimel}- 
death in 1846. The maiden name of his wife was 
Mary Graves, and she vvas born in North Carolina. 
She died about 1855. 

Our subject was one of a family of eleven chil- 
dren, of whom five are now living. He vvas born 
in a liumlile log caliin built by his father during 
his residence in White County. He was only two 
years old when his parents brought him to this 
Count}-, and here he was educated in the subscrip- 
tion schools that were conducted in primitive log 
schoolhouses with rude furniture and greased 
paper instead of glass for windows. 

Mr. Council received a fine practical education 
in the vocation of a farmer on his father's home- 
stead, and when he was twenty-two years old he be- 
gan farming on his own account and entered on the 
improvement of a small tract of land which his 
father had purchased from the Government for 
him. As the busy j'ears passed b}' he saw his 
labors well rewarded and finally rose to be one of 
the rich men of his adopted township. He now 
has a valuable estate comprising six hundred and 
forty acres of as fine farming land as can be found 
in this part of the county. He has supplied it 
with roomy and well made buildings and in 1877 
erected a large substantial frame house which 
is one of the most comfortable homes in the 
county. He has been a hard working man, has 
conducted his affairs with econom}-, prudence and 
abilit}', and has shown good management in all his 
enterprises. He is a man whose genuine worth, 
kind heart and good citizenship has called forth the 
highest esteem and confidence of those around him 
and classes him among our best people. He is a 





^^^^z-^tAx? ^ZdcXy 



t^k^/T^ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



603 



true Republican, has stood by the party since its 
formation and was personally acquainted with 
Abraham Lincoln, for wiiose character he has a 
great admiration. 

Mr. Council was wedded to Jane Mitts in 1843. 
Slic was a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Cyrus 
and Martha (Burbridge) Mitts, who were among 
the earlj- settlers of Sangamon County. 

Of tlieir happy and peaceful wedded life tliirteen 
children were born: William C. ; Martha, deceased ; 
Mary A., John M., Nelson L., Elizabeth; Charles 
F., deceased; Henry V., Flora M., Emma E., 
George G., Anna J., and an infant unn.amed. 

In 1877 death crossed tlie threshold of the 
happj' home of our subject and removed the 
beloved wife and mother at the age of fifty-four 
years. She was a true, womanly woman, a home 
maker, and was greatly esteemed far beyond her 
family circle. She possessed a firm Christian 
character and was a valued member of the Chris- 
tian Church, to which our subject also belongs. 



,< IIARLES G. BROWN. All who are ac- 



ijl ' quainted with the fine farming lands of 
^fiJ/J Pawnee Township will recognize this name 
as that of one of the largest landowners of the sec- 
lion and a man who has done much to promote the 
growth of trade and civilization here. Mr. Brown 
is one of three brothers, each of whom owns much 
valuable real estate and is interested to a large 
degree in the prosperity of this part of the county. 
He is the proprietor of a grain elevator in Diver- 
non and Postmaster of that growing village. In 
fact Ihe place owes its existence to iiim, as he laid 
it, out wlien the Chicago &l St. Louis Railroad was 
completed through this section and has so pushed 
business there th.nt the population is rapidly in- 
creasing. 

The birthplace of our .subject was Jacksonville, 
Morgan Count}-, and his natal day October 4, 
1830. His youthful days were spent much as 
farmeis' sons usually pass their time, when their 
home is in a section]of the country that is not fully 
developed and the advantages for schooling are not 



of the best. He gained what knowledge he could 
in the common schools, mostly during the winter 
season and prior to reaching the age of eighteen. 
LTntil he was twenty-five years old he spent most 
of his time under the home roof and he then came 
to this county and worked upon the farm" where he 
now lives. 

The estate of Mr. Brown now amounts to eight 
hundred acres of choice laud whereon all those 
buildings found necessary in carrying on extensive 
farming interests may l.e seen, together with a sub- 
stantial, well-designed dwelling that was put up in 
1857, and stands as a monument to the good work- 
manship and knowledge of home comfort of the 
builders of past decades. In 1882 alarge handsome 
mansion was erected to take the place of the one 
erected in 1857. The farm is on section 21, Paw- 
nee Township, favorably located as a place of abode 
as well as for agricultural purposes. Mr. Brown 
has always been a farmer, first and foremost, but has 
given some attention to other enterprises. He 
handles all the grain that is brought to Divernon, 
is a stockholder and director in the Illinois 
National Bank in Springfield, and with his brother 
Reuben S. is joint proprietor of the Divernon bank. 
During thirty years of happy wedded life, the 
joys and sorrows of Mr. Brown have been shared 
by a lady who bore the maiden name of Virginia 
A. Fletcher. She is a daughter of Capt. Job and 
Francis (Brown) Fletcher, both natives of Todd 
Comity, K}'. They wore among the old settlers of 
thi.s county and died in Ball Township, where their 
daughter Virginia was born March 9, 1842. The 
niariiage of Mr. Brown and Miss Fletcher was 
solemnized March 20, 1860, and is blessed to them 
in the love of three children, while they mourn the 
early demise of two sons and a daughter. The 
deceased are Emily, who died when fourteen 
year.s months old, and Reuber. S. and William, who 
died in still earlier infancy. The living are Mary 
C, now the wife of Charles P. Brown; Robert F., 
a farmer in Pawnee Township; and Bessie A., who 
is still lingering with her parents. 

Mr. Brown has held several positions of trust in 
the affairs of the neighborhood, and uniformly dis- 
charged tlieir duties in a creditable manner. He 
was Highway Commissioner, Township Treasurer 



664 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



an<l School Director. Wlien Divernon was started 
he was the first Postmaster and has held the place 
continuously. A man of more than ordinary intelli- 
gence, gleanino; information from various sources 
and exercising rare judgment in assimulating it to 
liis wants, he is a pleasant companion and an hour 
spent in his society is profitable as well ,as enter- 
taining. He is an unfailing supporter of the prin- 
ciples of Republicanism. Both he and his wife are 
members of the Presbyterian church and are looked 
upon as a credit to the church and the community. 
The attention of the reader is invited to a litho- 
graphic portrait of Mr. Brown, to be found on 
another page of this volume. 

,AVID C. KEISACKER has been a member 
of the farming community of this county 
twenty years and more, and during that time 
Pawnee Township where his agricultural interests 
are situated has been benefited by his skill and 
intelligent labors as a fa. mer and stock raiser. He 
is a native of Maryland, where his birth occurred 
January 29, 1825. He lived there until he was 
nearly twenty-four years old. Then in the flush of 
early manhood he took an imjiortant step in life 
whereby he has become prospered, as at that time 
lie came to Sangamon County and has since 
enjoyed the advantages accorded to a wide-awake 
farmer by its rich soil, fine climate and other 
attiactions. He engaged in agricultural pursuits 
near Springfield until 1869 when he invested in 
the farm on which he now lives, whicih is finely 
located on section 24, Pawnee Township. Its two 
hundred and fifty acres have been placed under the 
best of cultivation and has been subjected to many 
improvements which have greatly increased its 
value since it came into his possession. Its build- 
ings ari! comfortable and well arranged and the 
farm has all the facilities needed for carrying on 
agriculture profitably. 

The prosperous circumsta^ices of our subject 
have no doubt been brought about in part by the 
help and encouragement in his work that he has 
received from his vvife to whom he was wedded in 



Maryland. Mrs. Keisacker's name in her maiden 
days was Antoinette Lewis and Hagerstown, Md., 
was the place of her birth. The fruit of her mar- 
riage with our subject is seven children, whom they 
have named William, Mary, Charles, Maggie, .Sallie, 
Henrietta andLaura. William married FannieDodds 
and they have one boj' — Frank T. ; Jlary married 
Henry II. Henkle, and they have four children — 
Jacol) E., Charles D., Daisy May, and Frank; 
Sallie B. married John H. Underwood, and they 
have one child — Mabel J.; Henrietta married 
Stephen D. Vaugeison ; the^' have two children — 
Flossie May and Lela Dell; Laura married James 
Alpheus Galloway; they have no children. The 
above all live in Sangamon County and are farmers, 
except Mr. Underwood, who is Deputy Sheriff. 

Mr. Keisacker devotes his whole attention to 
farming in which he is succeeding very well, and 
has already acquired a comfortable property. He 
takes a keen interest in the welfare of his adopted 
township and is never backward in lending a hand 
to push forward all plans devised for its improve 
ment. He has taken special interest in educalioti 
and has made a good civic official as one of the 
School Directors of the place. In his politics he is 
a stanch Republican. He and his good wife are 
among the leading members of the Lutheran 
Church, and they carry their religion into their 
everydj'y lives. 



J 



1 APII KNOTTS is a prominent young farmer 
of Ball Township and is a leading man in 
public enterprises. He is a son of Thomas 
Knotts, who was born in Indiana in July, 
1818, while his parents were on the way from 
Virginia to Illinois. His father, who bore 
the same name as himself, was a native of Vir- 
ginia and came from there to Illinois with his 
wife and family, overland with a team and 
wagon. They winteied in Indiana and came to 
Sangamon Count}' in the spring of 1819, and were 
among the earliest settlers of Ball Township, where 
the grandfather engaged in farming until his 
death. Tlie father of our subject was reared in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



605 



Sangamon County, and was liere married^ in 1841 
to Elizal)etli Brawner, wiio was born near Lexing- 
ton, Ky., March 1, 1824. She was a daughter of 
John Brawner, a Kontuckian Ijy birtli and a farmer 
by occupation. He was married in his native 
State to Berthena Ball, wlio was also born in Ken- 
luck}'. Tliey came to Sangamon Counly in 1828 
and were pioneers of Ball Township, where both 
(lied ill 1838. After the death of her parents the 
mother of our subject was reared by her uncle, 
Judge Ball. Her marriage was productive of the 
following six children: Sarah, now Mrs. Watts, of 
Douglas County; Japh ; JNIary, Mrs. T. !>. Drennan, 
who died in ]5all Township, leaving two children; 
Margaret, now Mrs. Stevens, of Cotton Hill Town- 
ship; Heniy, a fanner in that township; and 
Thomas K., who owns a farm of one hundred and 
forty acres in Ball Township. 

After marriage the father of our subject located 
on section 17, Ball Township, where he first built 
a house, which he afterward replaced by a more 
substantial one. He improved a good farm, becom- 
ing the owner of some three hundred acres of 
land. He was for some time profitably engaged in 
teaming to St. Louis and Galena, and he used to 
drive stock to the former city. He was quite a 
hunter and was an expert in the use of the rifle, 
lie was prominent in school matters, and at his 
deatli, July 31, 1889, a useful citizen and a ven- 
erated pioneer passed to his long rest. 

J.aph Knotts spent his childhood in the home 
of his birth. He used often to go with his father 
on hunting excursions. His education was gleaned 
ill the common schools, and .as early as nine or ten 
years of age he was set to work on the farm. He 
gained a sound, practical knowledge of liis calling 
and from the time he was eighteen years of age till 
he was thirty years old he had charge of his 
father's farm, which he carried on very profitably. 
In 1882 he bought forty acres of land on section 
8. Later he bought twenty acres on section 17 
where he erected neat buildings and subsequently 
located. In 1889 he and his brother, Thomas E., 
bought the old homestead, our subject buying one 
hundred and forty acres of it. He has one hun- 
dred and ton acres on section 17, forty acres on 
section 8, and fifty acres on section i», all lying in 



a body and finely improved, except fifty acres of 
timber and pasture. It is well watered by Sugar 
Creek and is finely adapted for a stock farm, to 
which purpose our subject partly devotes it, rais- 
ing draft horses and cattle of good grades, though 
paying more attention to raising corn. The farm 
is very advantageously located ten miles from 
Springfield and two and one-half miles from Chat- 
ham. January 9, 188C, was the date of the mar- 
riage of our subject to Miss Mary P. Petticord. 
She is a native of Grayson County, Ky., and a 
daughter of William Petticord, who was a farmer 
of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Knotts' pleasant home 
circle is completed by their one child — Ada Jo- 
sephine. 

His fellow-townsmen recognizing the tact, sound 
sense and good business qualifications that char- 
acterize our subject, have often called him to take 
part in the administration of public affairs. In 
1886 he was elected to represent Ball Township as 
a member of the County Board of Supervisors, 
which oflice he held one term. He was Collector of 
the Township two terms, Commissioner of High- 
ways one year and School Director one term. He 
is prominent in social and political circles. He is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity at Chatham, 
of which he is Senior Warden; and he is President 
of Ball Lodge No. 2705, F. M. B. A., and was a 
delegate to the County Assemld}-. He is also iden- 
tified with tlie Modern Woodmen of America, at 
Chatham.'^ Ile'seems to have inherited his political 
sentiments from his fatlier in a degree, as he is as 
stalwart a Democrat as was his sire before him, 
and has frequentlj- been a delegate to County con- 
ventions. He has served on both the grand and 
petit juries. 



-»^;^»f*- 



^*%R. FRANK B. SMITH, President of the 
)j) LaFayette Smith Wholesale GrocerCompany, 
■^ is one of the fnost prominent of the young 
business men of Springfield, 111., his native city, 
and is an important factor in carrying on its exten- 
sive commercial interests. He was born in this 



OOO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



metropolis March 7, 1859, and laid the foundation 
for his education in the public scliools. He decide() 
to become a physician and read medicine wilii Dr. 
B. M. Grirtitli, a well-linown (ihysieian of Siiring- 
field, and subsequently became a student at Rush 
Medical College at Chicago, from which he was 
graduated in the class of 1879-80. 

After leaving college our subject returned to 
Springfield and opened an office here for tlie prac- 
tice of medicine. He pursued liis calling quite suc- 
cessfully two years, but tlie demands made upon 
his physical strengtli and endurance by his profes- 
sional duties so imi)aired his health tliat he was 
obliged to retire, and in 1883 he entered the whole- 
sale grocery store of his father, LaFayettc Smith, 
lie displa^'cd an excellent talent for business and 
immediately after the death of his f.ather, LaFay- 
ettc Smith, which occurred September 3, 18fi8, the 
LaFayette Smith Grocer Co. was incorporated and 
our subject was made President of the corporation, 
which position lie now holds. The LaFayette 
Smith Grocer Co. have a large, well fitted up and 
well-stocked establishment and do an extensive 
and flourishing business that extends all over Cen- 
tral Illinois. The LaFa3ette Smith Grocer Co. is 
successor to the wliolesale grocery business of the 
late LaFayette Smith established in 1862, and thus 
it is one of the oldest established business houses in 
Illinois. 

Dr. Smith and Miss Auais D. Converse, daughter 
of Hon. A. L. Converse, were married July 23, 
1885. They have made for themselves one of the 
coziest and pleasantest homes in the city and their 
household circle is completed by the little child 
born to them, whom lhe3' have named Harry B. 
Smith. Our subject is a young man of fine per- 
sonal attributes, possesses forc^. and decision of 
character, and a good insight into the best methods 
of conducting business, and he will undoubtedly 
occupy a high position in the financial circles of his 
city and county as regards the acquirement of 
wealth in the future, and has a ver3' bright career 
before him. He is a sincere apd manly Christian 
and a member of the Central Baptist Church of 
Springfield. He has ably served his city on the 
Board of Health for the past eight years and is 
still connected with that valuable sanitary commit- 



tee, having been successively reappointed regard- 
less of his political affiliations. Although actively 
engaged in mercantile business yet Dr. Smith still 
devotes considerable time to the duties of the med- 
ical profession. 



-^- 



— -aT/„^-^. 



■^ 



AMES A. HALL. The gentleman whose 
cognomen introduces these few brief para- 
graphs is an extensive landowner, living on 
section 11, Loami Township. He was born 
January 23, 1821, in Franklin, W. Va., his parents 
being Samuel and Hannah Hall; the mother was 
born in the Old Dominion, the father in Kentucky. 
He was thirteen years old when he came with his 
mother to this county ; the family consisted of 
eight children, six boys and two girls, six of whom 
are still living. She removed here with a team and 
a two horse carriage in comiiany with her father and 
family. Her father's name was John Cunningh, 
and he died in 1836. After his death our subject's 
mother re-married, and he left home and followed 
farming and teaming principall}-. 

On August 16, 1845, Mr. Hall was married to 
Elizabeth McGinnis, who survived until 1849, 
when she w.as called from time to eternity. She 
liatl two children, both deceased. B}- dint of energy 
and pi udcnce, aided by the wise management of 
his wife in household matters, Mr. Hall had ac- 
quired one hundred and sixty acres of land. After ' 
having remained a widower until December 16, 
1853, he contracted a second matrimonial alliance, 
wedding Margaret Dariiiclle, who bore him eight 
children, five of whom are now living. Mr. Hall 
has added to his landed estate until he now owns 
over six kundred acres worth ^75 per .acre. All is 
improved, and the home tract is made comfortable 
and remunerative by a luunber of substantial build- 
ings whieli adorn it, and the other acquisitions to 
its primitive condition. Mr. Hall has made more 
niG-ney by raising and feeding hogs than in any 
other way. 

For some years our sul)ject has been filling the 
position of School Director and his continuance in 
the ollice year after year proves conclusively that 




I 



J.W.ANOER50N. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



609 



^ 



his neighbors tliiiiij well of his intelligence and 
zeal in the public welfai-e. When he became old 
enough to vote, Mr. Hall identified himself with 
the Whig party, retaining his connection therewith 
until 1856; he is now a Democrat. His large estate 
is a standing monument to the energy of his char- 
acter, his good judgment regarding his invest- 
ments and the industry which has marked the 
mature 3' ears of his life. Upright in his jlealings, 
considerate in his relations with family and friends, 
Mr. Hall is looked upon as one of the bsst citizens 
of the county. 



■^OHN W. ANDERSON. A laborious, pains- 
taking man, wiiose life has been one of toili 
and who has attained success in his chosen 
/ calling, that of a farmer, Mr. Anderson is 
worth3- of considerable mention in this volume. 
His estate is a valuable one, comprising two hundred 
and sixty acres and located on section 33, Wood- 
side Township. It has been embellished with a 
good set of buildings, including a comfortable resi- 
dence and a commodious barn, together with such 
(>ther buildings as are to be found on the estates of 
a model farmer. A portrait of Mr. Anderson will 
be noticed on the opposite page. 

The father of our subject was Joseph Anderson, 
a native of Garrard County, Ky., whereafter reach- 
ing years of maturity he was united in marriage 
with Elvira Hall, a native of Virginia. In 1851 
the}' removed from Kentucky to Illinois, settling 
in Sangamon County and continuing to live there 
until Lis death. The mother survives at the ad- 
vanced age of seventy- eight years and makes her 
home with her children. She married a second 
time, becoming the wife of William Tweedy, who 
died in Kansas. 

Unto Joseph Anderson and his wife were born 
twelve children, of whom John W. was the lifth. 
In Garrard County, Ky., his eyes first opened to the 
light Jan uarj- 11, 1838. He passed his childhood 
in his native county, receiving a limited educa- 
tion and assisting his father on the farm. When 
thirteen \'ears old he accompanied his jiarents to Illi- 



nois, and has since been a resident of Sangamon 
County. He assisted his father at an eaily age, 
and continued to make his home with his parents 
until his marri.age, which occurred April 8, 1861, 
in Woodside Township. The bride, Miss Ann 
Alzbury, was born in Woodside Township in 1842, 
and remained under the parental roof until her 
marriage, becoming proficient in those duties which 
have enabled her to become an efficient helpmate 
to her husband. 

Immediately after the marriage of our subject he 
and his wife began housekeeping in Woodside 
Township, where with the exception of four years 
in Ball Township they have since remained. He 
has always been emplo^'ed in farming and makes a 
success of this avocation, as he keeps thoroughly 
posted upon the latest improvements in agriculture 
and carries on his farm a full line of all necessary 
farming implements. Of the ten children born to 
him and his estimable wife seven are living and 
named as follows: Charles W.; Addie, the wife of 
Jacob Bycrs; John C, Melissa J., Burt, Pearl and 
Mattie E. The latter remain under the parental 
roof, and are well-educated and refined young peo- 
ple, reflecting credit upon their home training and 
becoming fitted for honorable places in life. 

Although devoting most of his time and atten- 
tion to his private duties, our subject feels con- 
siderable interest in public affairs, and votes the 
Democratic ticket. He and his wife hold member- 
ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church and are 
leading consistent. Christian lives, such as will not 
only bring to them the approbation of their fellow- 
men, but also of Him who said, " Inasmuch as you 
do it unto the least of these my brethren, yc do it 
unto Me." 

^ SAAC L. GREGORY, who is engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising on section 28, Gardner 
Township, is a representative of one of the 
early and respected families of the county. His 
paternal grandfather was one of the prominent and 
influential citizens of the communit}', and a more 
extended mention is made of that worthy gentle- 
man in the skelch of Edward Day. His father. 



610 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Isaac Gregory, vvas a native of Derbyshire, England, 
but when a mere child was brought to this country 
and spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon 
a farm in Sangamon County. On attaining to 
mature years he purciiased land in (Gardner Town- 
ship, l)ut afterwards removed to Macon County, 
where he opened up a farm near tliecity of Macon, 
lliat lias now for many years been liis liome. The 
land has been placed under a high state of cultiva- 
tion, many improvements liave been made and a 
fine farm of two hundred acres, as a result of his' 
tiirift and industry, pays tribute to the care and 
labor he bestows upon it. He married .Susan Ray, 
who was born in Gardner Township and was a 
daugliter of Samuel and Elsie J. Ray, who were 
early settlers of this comnuinity. Her death 
occurred when our subject was but three years old. 
There were four children in the family, but the two 
eldest, Albert and Samuel, died in Macon. Thomas 
and Isaac, twins, are engaged in farming; the former 
in Macon County and our subject, as before stated, 
in Gardner Township. 

Isaac Gregory was born on his father's farm, 
about four and one-half miles from the city of 
Springfield, on the 1 Itli of March, 1861. After his 
mother's death he went to live witli his grand- 
father, Samuel Ray, in whose home his childhood 
days were passed until ten years of ago, when Ins 
father was again married and he returned to the 
parental roof. The second wife of Mr. Gregorj^ 
Sr., was Adelia V. Moore, and one child was born 
of that union. As before stated. Isaac L. returned 
to his father, and in the district schools of Macon 
County he acquired his primary education, which 
was supplemented by a year's course in the State 
Normal University of Bloomington, when he was 
seventeen years of age. He continued to assist 
in the development of his father's farm until he 
had attained his majorit}', when he began life for 
himself. 

On the 11 th of April, 1882, i\Ir. Gregory was 
united in marriage with Miss Louie J. Bradley, 
the wedding being celebrated at the home of the 
bride in Gardner Township. The lady is a daugh- 
ter of Ledbttter Bradley, a prominent citizen of 
the county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
volume. Mr. Gregory then inirch.ased a farm 



upon vrhieh the 30ung couple began tiieir domes- 
tic life, but after a year he returned to Gardner 
Township and rented land of Mr. Bradle3'. His 
own farm he traded for a one hundred and ten 
acre tract of land in Macon County, which is 
still in his possession. In the year 1888 he located 
on his present place, the Talbott farm, where he is 
operating one hundred and fire acres of land. He 
raises all kinds of grain and does considerable busi- 
ness in the line of stock-dealing. At the age of 
eight years he began liaudling horses, since which 
time he has had more or less to do with stock. He 
keeps on hand good grades of cattle and hogs 
which he is constantly- improving, and from this 
branch of industry he receives not a little of his 
income. 

Since attaining his majority Mr. Gregorj* has 
supported the Democratic party and has held sev- 
eral local offices, was Assessor for one year and for 
two years served as Collector. In the discharge 
of his duties he displaj'ed the same fidelity to trust 
reposed in liim that has characterized his entire life 
and won him the regard of his fellow-townsmen. 
Socially he is a member of Hope Lodge, F. M. B. A. 
Mr. Gregory is a popular man, having won many 
fiiends, and his estimable wife is also held in high 
regard. 



-i- 



"^ 



-^ 




yESLEY GRINSTEAD belongs to that large 
class of intelligent and enterprising farmers 
whose homes are places of social comfort 
and mental refreshment, and whose work in devel- 
oping the country is a credit alike to themselves 
and to the county. His estate is located on sectio'n 
3, Ball Township, and consists of three hundred 
and forty-six acres of improved land. It is watered 
by Sugar Creek and tlie soil is well adapted for the 
production of grain, to which it is principally de- 
voted. A commodious, substantial dwelling, ample 
barns and granaries, together with orchards and 
groves adorn it and make it a fit habitation. Mod- 
ern machinery is used in its cultivation and the 
latest improvements are to be seen in the method 
of its operation. 

Mr. Grinstead is of English descent. He was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



611 



born in Marlison County, Ky., June 1, 1841, and 
reared on a farm, of which he took charge during 
his youth. He cleared the land and otherwise im- 
proved it, thus giving his father more time to 
devote to his trade of a potter. Good school ad- 
Tan^ages were enjoyed b}- the J'oung man, and he 
profited by the instruction which he received, be- 
coming well-informed in the branches taught and 
preparing his mind for more extended knowledge 
in future jears. In June, 18G1, when but twenty 
years old, he entered tiie Onion Army as a member 
of Company B, Eighth Kentucky Infantry. Al- 
though liimself a Southerner and of a famil}' which 
for generations had lived in the South, he was full3' 
in sympath}' with the National Government and 
ready to give up his life, if need be, to preserve the 
old flag intact. 

Mr. Grinstead was mustered into service at Irvin, 
and in September began active campaign life. The 
first engagement in which he participated was at 
Elizabelhtown, Ky., after which he went to Ten- 
nessee. During the months which followed he 
participated in the noted battles at Buzzard's 
Uoost, Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga, 
Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain. At the last 
named place his reginaent was the first to reach the 
top of the mountain and he was one of ten men 
detailed to climb the lofty peak and place the 
Union flag on the summit. At Chickamauga the 
young man narrowl3^ escaped being taken prisoner, 
the enemy's lines having closed around him,l)ut he 
succeeded in breaking through and rejoining the 
Union line. After an active service of three years 
and four months he was mustered out at Chatta- 
nooga, in November, 1864, honorably discharged 
and paid off at Louisville. 

Our subject remained with his father a year, 
then established his ow^n home on an unimproved 
farm in the same county. He built a dwelling, 
improved tlie property from the brush, and carried 
on general farming there until 1878. He then sold 
out and came to this State, in which he had lived 
with Ins father a yearduiing his boyhood. His 
recollection and knowledge of the country led him 
to desire to leturn hither, and when he finally did 
so he seltle<l in Woodside Townshii), this county. 
lit began farming and teaming for the Black Dia- 



mond coal shaft, but finally turned his entire 
attention to the former occupation, in which he has 
won good repute for his progressive ideas and the 
success which he has met with in carrying them 
out. Mr. Grinstead raises bogs of good grade and 
also feeds several car-loads each year. The value 
of his estate is enhanced by its nearness to the Cap- 
ital, from which it is but nine miles distant. 

Seiitember 7, 1865, at the bride's home in Madi- 
son County, Ky., Mr. Grinstead was married to 
Miss Josephine Harris. This lady was a daughter 
of Overton Harris, a farmer, who was a wagon- 
master in the Union Army twelve months. She 
lived until 1887. She has borne her husband four 
chililren — Lilly V., Jasper, Mathew and Mary. 
The first named is the wife of James Froman, whose 
home is near Auburn; Jasper lives in Springfield: 
Matthew is at the Institute for the Blind in Jack- 
sonville; and Mary is making her home with her 
sister. 

A second matrimonial alliance was contracted by 
Mr. Grinstead on February 10, 1889. His bride 
on this occasion was Mrs. Mary E. Jones, a daugh- 
ter of Daniel A. and Mar}' A. (Wilkinson) Dryer. 
Her father was born in Pennsylvania and lost his 
mother when he was quite small. He was reared 
in Mercer County, Ohio, learned the trade of a 
potter, and then made his home in Indiana, near 
Shelby ville. In 1845 he came toBloomington, 111., 
worked at his trade a few years and then bought a 
farm two miles from the city. He operated tlie 
land 'some years, then retired and is now living in 
Bloomington. He is a devoted member of the 
Metiiodist P^piscopal Church and a Class-Leader. 

The mother of Mrs. Grinstead was born in New 
Jersey, but reared in Indiana, whither her father, 
ParismusWilkinson, removed during her childhood. 
Mr. Wilkinson was a man of means and an exten- 
sive farmer. He belonged to the Methodist E[)is- 
copal Church and was one of the main supports of 
the congregation with which he was identified. The 
mother of Mrs. Grinstead died in 1847. She had 
four children, the wife of our subject being the 
second in order of birth. The eldest. James W. 
is a druggist in Indianapolis, Ind., and Geor»e W^. 
also lives there and is an artist of considrra[)le note. 
The oilier child died when small. .Mr. Dryer took 



612 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



for his second wife Mary Jacoby, of this State. Of 
the six children born of this union tliree are now 
living: Daniel makes lus home in Emporia, Kan., 
and INIrs. Rebecca Buchanan and Albert live in 
Chicago. 

The present Mrs. Grinstead was born October 
28, 1842, ill Connorsville, Iiid., and reared and 
educated at Blootnington, 111. She completed her 
studies in Thayer Seminar}- and then engaged in 
dressmaking at Normal. Tliere, on September 3, 
1868, she was married to Dr. J. W. Jones. That 
gentleman was born September 9, 1817, in Hart 
County, Ky., and in his cliildhood came to this 
State witli his parents. He was the son of a native 
of North Carolina, who was quite well known among 
the farmers of this county some years ago. Dr. 
Jones was first married to Polly A. Wills, and 
their family consisted of the following named 
children: Adolphus W., now living in Kansas; 
Laura J., the wife of J. W. Renn, of Garnet, Kan.; 
Willis A., who died in this county in 1881; Wiley, 
an ex-Representalive of this county, now practicing 
law in Washington; Americus V., a prominent 
f.'irmer in Ball Township; James A., a member of 
the Associated I'ress, of Chicago; William Sey- 
mour, an attorney in Washington. 

Dr. Jones was obliged to abandon his niedic.il 
practice on account of ill health and he then en- 
gaged in stock-raising and farming in this count}-. 
He was very successful and became the owner of 
about eiuht hundred acres of real estate. He lield 
the various township offices and filled a prominent 
place in the community. In politics he was a 
Democrat. His first wife died in April, 1867. His 
union witli the lady who is now the wife of our 
subject was blest by the birth of six children — 
Luella, Junette, Burrell, I>lma, John and Alba. All 
are living Inil John, who was killed by a fall from 
a hammock in 1 886. The oldest daughter attended 
the High School in Springfield, and Junette was 
graduated from Lee's Academy, in Coles County, 
in June, 1890. Luella is now Post-mistress at 
Cotton Hill. All still reside under tiieir mother's 
roof. Their father breathed his last October 11, 
1883, and they now receive a father's care from Mr. 
Grinstead. 

Mr. Grinstead is a man whose upright life adds 



its influence to the weight of Christian doctrine. 
He belongs to the Baptist Church at Salem and 
iiolds the office of Clerk. He has alwaj-s been a 
Republican until recently, but he has now identified 
himself with the Prohibition party. Mrs. Grinstead 
possesses the lovable disposition wliich endears 
iier to all who make her acquaintance and her taste 
for the beautiful adds to the attractiveness of her 
home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Grinstead are well- 
informed and much sought after in society. 

Our subject is the second of ten children born 
to Mathew and Eliza (Emmerine) Grinstead. His 
father was born in Virginia and his mother in Ohio, 
but the greater part of their lives was spent in Ken- 
tucky. There the father breathed his last in Sep- 
tember 1890, at the age of seventy -seven years. 
i The mother survived but two weeks, her death 
being hastened by grief at her husband's loss. 
Both were devout Christians, belonging to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Grinstead 
w.as a CLiss-Leader and Deacon. The surviving 
brothers and sisters of our subject are Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Keene, Mrs. Annie Lewis, George, William, 
Valentine and Clarence, living in Kentucky; Mrs. 
Charlotte Armstrong, whose home is in Texas; and 
John, who lives in Missouri. John and George 
were members of the Union Army, and the former 
was a prisoner of war for three months in Ander- 
S(jnville. 



\T; AMES B. AND HENRY M. FLETCHER are 
I the largest stockmen in Auburn Township. 
I They trace theii- ancestry back to England, 
^i^^j/l their paternal great-grandfather being a 
native of that countr}'. Tiieir grandfather. James 
Fletcher, was born in Botetourt County, Va., while 
their father, Nathan Fletcher, was born near Frank- 
lin, Simpson County, K\'., March 18, 1816. James 
Fletcher was a wheelwright by occupation, and was 
one of the early settlers of .Simpson County, Ky., 
where lie worked at his trade, and also followed 
farming. To improve his condition, he determined 
to seek a home in Illinois, and in the fall of 1828, 
brought his family to Sangamon County, the mode 
of conveyance being an ox -team and wagon. They 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



613 



were twentj^-two days en route and camped out 
each night. Aniving here he bought eighty acres 
on section 22, and put up a log cabin. Having 
brought his tools with him from Kentucky, lie put 
up a shop on his farm and commenced work at his 
trade. He lived but two 3'ears after coming to this 
county, dying in 1830, at the age of sixty-two 
years. Politically he was a Whig, and religiously 
a Presbyterian, serving as Elder in that church for 
many years. Ele was married in Virginia to Jane 
McElvaiu, who was born in Botetourt Count}', 
Va. Her parents were from Ireland. Siie died 
in the year 18r)3. being the mother of sixteen chil- 
dren, of wliom the following grew to manhood 
and womanhood: Job died in Iowa; ISIargaiet, 
who married C. A. Patterson, died in Auburn Town- 
ship; Robert, when about fourteen 3'ears old. was 
killed b}' a horse; Mary and J. Washington died in 
Auburn Township; Natlian, the faliier of our sub- 
ject, was next in order of Inrtli; Elizabeth, now 
Mrs. Bettis, resides in Macoupin County; John 
died in Auburn Township: Rebecca, vvho became 
the wife of Mathew Essex, died in Macoupin 
County; Nanc\', who married James Patterson, 
died in Auburn Township. 

Nathan Fletcher resided in Kentucky- until about 
thirteen years of age, then accompanied his parents 
to Illinois. Ilis educational advantages were limited 
to the subscription schools of that early day. He 
was married in Menard County, III., December 2G, 
1844, to ^Margaret A. Baxter, who was born in 
Adair County, Ky., November 27, 1827. She came 
to Menard County, with her parents when but a 
small child. Her father, Matthew Baxter, died in 
Menard County. After bis marriage, Nathan 
Fletcher bought forty acres of school land at 81.50 
per acre, where Henry M. now lives. Here he began 
at the bottom of the ladder, and bj' energy, hard 
work and econom}', became a wealthy man. He 
followed farming and general agricultural pursuits, 
and became the owner of four hundred acres of im- 
proved land which he operated until he retired 
from active life, when be divided the estate among 
his children. He is an Elder in the Presbyterian 
Church, and politically is a stanch Republican. 
His wife died February 21, 1888. They were the 
parents of six children: Mary married A. S. Good- 



pasture, a farmer in Auburn Township; J. B., also 
engaged in farming; Thomas A., likewise a farmer; 
Martha, who married Levi D. Goodpasture, resides 
in the village of Auburn; Lucretia married James 
S. Patton ; and Henry M. 

J. B. Fletcher was born in Auburn Township, 
December 5, 1850, and was educated in the com- 
mon schools of the township. When fifteen years 
of age he began buying and trading in stock, and 
when twenty-one years of age his father made him 
the possessor of eighty acres on section 22. Here 
he located and continued farming and stock-rais- 
ing, while at all times being an extensive dealer in 
stock, in which be has been very successful. In 
1883 he bought throe hundred and four acres of 
land on Prospect Place, for which be paid $G7.50 
per acre. He has added to it until he has now four 
hundred and twenty-four acres, together with one 
hundred and sixty acres on section 22, nmking in 
all five liun<lred and eigbt)'-four acres of good, 
valuable, improved land, which has cost him from 
$50 to 875 per acre. His farm is about three 
and a half miles from Auburn, and the same dis- 
tance from the village of ^'irden. On the farm in 
addition to his dwelling house are two large barns 
40x54, and 48x112 feet. Ail the modern conven- 
iences are found upon this farm, among which is a 
large windmill that forces water a distance of eight 
hundred and twenty-five feet to a tank in his barn, 
and which is regulated b}' patent floats. He was 
married in Auliurn Township, September 20, 1870, 
to Miss Elizabeth A. Patton, who was born in 
Auburn Township, and who is a daughter of Mat- 
thew Patton, a native of Kentucky. Her grand- 
father, James Patton, was also a native of Kentucky. 
He w.as a tanner and currier by trade, and came to 
this county in an early d.ay and located in Auburn 
Township, where he died some j'ears ago. Her 
father was reared in Auburn Township, and was a 
successful farmer. He became the owner of four 
hundred acres of lanil and died in the village of 
Auburn some years ago. Her mother was Mar- 
garet J. McElvain, who was born in Kentucky. She 
was a daughter of Samuel McElvain, whovvas born 
in Ireland. Her mother died in 18G7, leaving six 
children, as follows: William D. is engaged in the 
hotel business in Osceola, Neb.; Elizabeth A.; J. 



614 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



S. is a farmer of Auburn Township; Cliarles M., 
also a farmer of Auburn Township; Robert. II., an 
attorney in Springfield; Sarah M., now Mrs. J. 
Abel, of Christian County. Mr. Fletcher is a mem- 
ber of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association, anil 
of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a 
Republican. 

Henry M. Fletcher was born in Auburn Town- 
ship, April 22, 1855, was educated in the common 
schools, and at the age of seven years began plow- 
ing and has led an active life ever since. He began 
dealing in stock when a mere lad, and that business 
he has followed successfully since reaching man- 
hood. He took charge of tlie home farm ere at- 
taining to maturity, and finally became possessor 
of a portion of it and purchased the remainder of 
the other heirs. He now owns two hundred and 
forty acres of valuable farming land well improved 
and complete in all its appointments, having good 
buildings, a fine orchard, beautiful groves and 
everything necessary to a model farm of the nine- 
teenth century. The place is known as the Mystic 
Driving Park and comprises one hundred and sixty 
acreson section 16, and eighty acres on section 21, 
Auburn Township. In 1883 the brothers, James B. 
and Henry M., formeii a partnership and have since 
been doing business under the name of Fletcher 
Brothers. In 188G they purchased four hundred 
and eighty acres of the old Poley farm which they 
together operated for two years, when they sold 
out. They are extensively engaged in buying and 
shipping stock, selling from three to four hundred 
head of cattle per year. They feed three hundred 
bushels of corn per day to their cattle, which is 
nearly all the corn raised in the neighborhood. 
They also feed and ship from six hundred to one 
thousand head of hogs, and raise from fifty to 
ninety head of mules annually. In their stables are 
seen some of the finest specimens of horseflesh to 
be found in Illinois. The stables are located upon 
the farm of the younger brother, and among the 
valuable horses which they own are Artist Wilkes, 
2624, sired by Red Wilkes. He is valued at 
$6,000 and the firm has refused $5,500 for him. 
Molly Knox, standard bred by Climax, sired by 
Almont; Auburn Maid sired by Luke Broadhead, 
i3 the speediest horse in the barns. The firm trained 



and gave IIarr3- Hall his record of 2:29i, and they 
are also owners of a valuable bay colt with a record 
of 2:27. The Mystic Driving Park is located two 
and a half miles from Auliurn, and no finer stock 
farm can be found in Central Illinois. 

In Tolona, Champaign County, III., October 31, 
1878, Henry Fletcher wedded Ella H. Cheesman, a 
native of Penns3'lvania, and a daughter of William 
Cheesman, a prominent farmer of Champaign 
County, owning two hundred acres of land. Unto 
them have been born two children, Nola Maye and 
Flossie Fern. Mr. Fletcher is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church of Auburn, and a Republican 
in politics. The well-known firm of Fletcher Broth- 
ers has not only a wide reputation for the excellent 
cattle and horses which they breed, but have made 
for themselves an enviable record as honorable 
business men and worthy citizens. 



^^^EN. JAbPER N. REECE, Commanding 
ill (-— , the Second Brigade, Illinois National Guard, 
^^ is a prominent and well-known citizen 
of Springfield. He has ably served the State in 
various important official capacities and is a con- 
spicuous figure in military circles. He is a native 
of Illinois, born in Abingdon, Knox County, April 
30, 1841, and a son of David and Priscilla (Nichols) 
Recce. 

His father was a native of London, England, 
whence he came to America when sixteen years of 
age. He located first in Virginia and from there 
went to Ohio, where he met and was married to 
Miss Dosia Candler. By that marriage two sons 
were born — David and John W., the former of 
whom lives in Colchester, McDonough Count}', 
and the latter is deceased. By his second marriage 
with the mother of our subject Mr. Reece had six 
children, as follows: Dr. Madison Reece, of Abing- 
don, III.; Col. A. N., of Chicago; our subject; 
George W., who died for his country at Vicksburg, 
July 22, 1863; Mary, wife of W. M. Springer, of 
Oskaloosa, Iowa, who died March 11, 1890; and 
Florence, wife of C. T. Willard, of Oskaloosa, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



615 



Iowa. The father was a cabinet-maker by occupa- 
tion. His life was terminated Marcli 31, 1855, and 
eight weeks later his devoted wife died, her death 
occurring May 31. 

Our subject passed his boyhood days in obtain- 
ing an education and was one of the first students 
that entered Hedding College. He was scarcely 
twenty 3'ears of age when the war broke out. He 
enlisted as a private in the early part of the war 
and went to the front to defend the Stars and 
Stripes. Later he enlisted in another regiment and 
in October, 1864, was mustered out as captain of 
his company. He saw much service in the South- 
west in following up bushwhackers. The guerrillas 
kept our subject and his men busily at work and 
sometimes lie was in the saddle for days wliile in 
their pursuit. 

In 1864 Genera! Reece returned from the army 
and gave his attention to farming and mercantile 
pursuits at and near Monmouth, 111., where he was 
thus engnged seven years. A man of his calibre, 
ability and standing could not, however, be spared 
from public life, and in 1871 he was elected First 
Assistant Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
In 1873 he was made Assistant Secretary of State 
under Col. Harlow. In 1877 he became Assistant 
Adjutant-General of tlie Second Brigade, Illinois 
National Guard, Brig.-Gen. E. N. Bates com- 
manding. In the latter capacity he, under tiie 
direction of his commanding officer, was in charge 
of the military during the riots in July .".t East St. 
Louis, and it was there that he showed his [leculiar 
fitness as a leader of men. In November following 
he was made Brigadier-General, commanding the 
Second Brigade Illinois National Guard, a position 
which he still holds. In 1881-82 he was Chief 
Clerk in the United States Marshal's office, and he 
was Private Secretary to Gov. Hamilton during his 
administration. In 1886 our subject was in com- 
mand of the forces at East St. Louis during the 
railroad riots there which lasted six weeks. He 
showed himself to be the right man in the right 
place and it w.as owing as much to his firmness and 
courage as to aught else tiiat the rioters were held 
in check. The General has also had charge of the 
troops at various times during other strikes. He 
is a man of resolute bearing, brave and fearless by 



nature, possessing an iron nerve and an indomitable 
will which traits have elevated him to his present 
prominent position as one of our leading military 
men. He ranks high as a member of the Masonic 
order. He is prominent in all the benevolent socie- 
ties. He is a member of the Head Camp of the 
Modern Woodmen of America in which he takes 
great interest. He has been President of the Illi- 
nois National Guard Association for several years 
and is a man of great social prominence in city, 
county and State. Politically he is a Republican, 
unswerving and uncomi)romising. The General 
is a man of considerable means and at present is 
engaged in looking after his farming, manufactur- 
ing and coal interests. 

Gen. Reece w.as married to Miss Mary J. Allen 
at Abingdon, III., in the month of September, 1861. 
To them have been born six children, three of 
whom died in infancy. The three living are Capt. 
E. A. Reece, of Portland, Ore.; Roy R., a resident 
of Chicago; and his daughter Cora. The family 
occupy one of the attractive homes of the city and 
are highly thought of in society. Religiously they 
are Congregationalists. 



JHJga g^^g 



^^EORGE A. MERRIMAN represents two 
II (=7 of the well known and distinguislied [Jioneer 
'^Jil families of Sangamon County, of which he 
is a native. lie is prominently connected with the 
agricultural interests of Illinois as an extensive 
farmer and stock-raiser and is the proprietor of one 
of the finest farms to be found in tiie whole State, 
pleasantly located in Williams Township, where he 
makes his home on the old homestead that his 
father entered many 3ears ago from the Govern- 
ment wiien it vvas in its primitive condition. 

The birth of our subject was February 2, 1852. 
His father, George B. Merriman, was born Septem- 
ber 8, 1818, in Kentucky, and came to Sangamon 
County from his early iiome with his parents in 
1829. Here he grew to a vigorous manhood, and 
when he entered upon an independent career as a 
farmer on his own account, he obtained a tract of 
land in this county from the Government. He 



61G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■nas more prosperous than was usually the lot of 
pioneers and became the owner of a large estate, 
comprising eleven hundred acres of land. He was 
an enterprising business man and possessed more 
tiian ordinary financial talent. He was one of the 
representative men of the county and had the honor 
of Abraham Lincoln's friendship. He passed away 
in 1881, while yet in the midst of his usefulness 
at the age of sixty-four years. He left behind him 
the record of a life well-spent and his memory is 
held in great respect as one who was a potent factor 
in developing the county. He was a. member of 
the Christian Church and its high principles were 
the guiding precepts of his life. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject, Reuben Merriman, 
emigrated from Kentucky his earl}' home, to San- 
gamon County in 1829, coming hither in a wagon. 
He entered land and was among the very first set- 
tlers_of the county. 

The mother of our subject was Maria L. Daw- 
son prior to her marriage. She was a native of 
Kentucky, born July 15, 1822, and a daughter of 
the Hon. John and Carry R. (Jones) Dawson, na- 
tives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. They 
came to Sangamon County in 1827 with horses and 
wagons and located in Clear Creek Townsliip, 
where Mr. Dawson purchased a large tract of land. 
He became one of the foremost citizens of this part 
of Illinois and was a conspicuous figure in the pub- 
lic life of the county and State for many years. He 
fought in the War of 1812, was wounded at the 
battle of the River Raisin and carried a ball in his 
side until death. At that battle he was captured 
by the enemy and was taken as a prisoner to Can- 
ada by the Indians, from whom his friends subse- 
quently ransomed him. He also took jiart in the 
Black Hawk War and was captain of a company 
from this county. 

Mr. Dawson represented Sangamon County in 
the Legislature several times. He was first elected 
as a member of that honorable body in 1831, for a 
[leriod of two years. He was again elected in 1835 
and was re-elected for several consecutive terms 
until 1840. He was very influential in the councils 
of bis fellow-legislators and was one of the famous 
"Long Nine," among whom was Abraham Lincoln, 
who were noted men, famous for their physical 



stature, brawn and brnin. Mr. Dawson was active 
in securing the removal of the capital .from Van- 
dalia to Springfield and he was also a member of 
the convention that framed the State Constitution 
of 1848. He was at one time County Commissioner 
and held other offices of trust and responsibility. 
He was one of the leading Whigs of this section of 
the country. In his death in 1850, in the fifty- 
ninth year of his age, the county sustained a great 
loss as then one of its most honored pioneers and 
useful citizens passed away. His wife died in 1876 
at the venerable age of seventy-seven years. Both 
were members of the Christian Church. They were 
the parents of ten children, six daughters and four 
sons, of whom four daughters are living. Among 
them is the mother of our subject, who is a tall, 
handsome and exceedingly intelligent woman. She 
is a noble t^pe of the pioneer woman of the early 
days of the settlement of this county, who by their 
presence, constant cheerfulness]and self-abnegation 
in the time of hardship and trial, inspired and en- 
couraged their fathers, brothers or husbands in the 
great work upon which they had entered of devel- 
oping the wild country about them. She is a zeal- 
ous member of the Christian Church, and is the 
mother of six children all of whom are living and 
have been trained by her to honorable lives. 

George A. Merriman, of this biographical review, 
received a good common school education and 
early became of great assistance to his father in the 
mangement of his affairs, becoming his right hand 
man as it were, even while a boy. Since his 
father's death he has had charge of the large estate 
that he left, and has so raan.aged it that as to greatly 
increase its value. It comprises six hundred and 
eighty-two acres of as good land as can be foujid 
in the State, all under excellent cultivation and 
supplied with substantial improvements. The old 
homestead on which he lives is one of the most 
attractive places in the township. The dwelling 
house is a veritable mansion, handsomelj' and 
tastefully furnished, surrounded bj' stately shade 
trees, and its lawns beautifully laid out with beds 
of flowers. Mr. Merriman is an extensive farmer 
and stock-raiser, making a specialty of breeding 
pure-blooded roadsters, and is the owner of several 
fine horses which have good records as regards 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



619 



their speed and endurance. Mr. Merriiuan is a 
man of sound understanding and possesses business 
talent and executive ability' of an order that 
places him high in financial circles. He has de- 
cided opinions of liis own on all topics of pul)lic 
interest, and as regards politics^ is a Republican to 
the core. 

To the lad3' who presides so gracefully over his 
beautiful home and assists him in dispensing its 
charming hospitalities, Mr. Merriman was united 
in marriage May 23, 1883. Mrs. Merriman was 
formerly Mary E. Thompson, a native of Oregon, 
and a daughter of Alfred F. and Mar3' J. (Hussey) 
Tliompson. Her father was a farmer and died in 
this county in 1884. Mrs. Merriman possesses 
many pleasant personal attributes that have won 
her many friends, and she is a true raembei' of the 
Christian Church. 




(|/_^AMILTON RUSH RIDDLE, M. D. The 
influence wielded b}' one man of upright 
chaiacter and noble life is immeasurable 
t(^ and particularly if he has a cultured 
mind and pleasing manners. It is a matter of no 
astonishment, therefore, to those who have met Dr. 
Riddle, that he exerts great influence in the com- 
munity in which he has for a number of yeai-s been 
making his home. As a professional man he has 
acquired a high reputation as one who is well 
grounded in the principles of therapeutics, skilled 
in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and, 
moreover, alert to add to bis knowledge and 
reach a higher degree of practical skill. That his 
business has proved successful in a financial sense 
is considered but a merited result for his zeal and 
good judgment. 

Abner Riddle, the father of our subject, is a 
native of Ohio, and came to this State with his 
parents in 1820, when he was but five years old. 
He is still living, now an inmate of the home of 
his son, but in former j'ears he was one of the 
well-known farmers of this count}'. The mother 
of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Ann 
Elkin. She was removed by death iu ftlarch. 



1842, when the son of whom wo write had scarcely 
passed, the jears of his infancy. Her father. 
Col. William Elkin, was quite noted among the 
old residents of this county, to which he came 
from Ohio, whither he had gone from his native 
State, Kentucky. 

Dr. Riddle was born December 9,1841, spent 
his early life on a farm, and acquired a good fun- 
damental education iu the public schools. He 
then entered the University of Illinois at Spring- 
field, where he was pursuing his studies when the 
patriotic spirit which swept like a tidal wave over 
the Prairie State led him to join the ranks of his 
country's defenders. 

Some weeks before he became of age young 
Riddle was enrolled in Companj- R, One Hundred 
and Thirtieth Hlinois Infantr}', the date of his 
enlistment being October 25, 18G2. He was sent 
to Memphis, Tenn., and on the 27th of March, 
1863, went to Milliken's Bend, La., where the army 
was organized for the siege of Vicksburg. He first 
smelled the smoke of battle at Port Gibson, 
whence he marched through Mississippi and then 
took p.art in the bloody engagement at Champion 
Hills, on the 16th and 17th of May. He also bore 
a part in the battle of Black River, following 
which he assisted other gallant men in maintaining 
the siege of Vicksburg, being in front of the 
famous stronghold forty-eight days. He was 
present at the surrender, July 4, 1863, and the 
next day went with the regiment to Jackson, Miss., 
to take part in the ten days' siege of that city. 
Thence the boys marched to the banks of the Mis- 
sissippi River, where they rested for a time until 
transferred to the Gulf Department under Gen. 
Banks. 

Going down to New Orleans young Riddle and 
his comrades were sent on an expedition to Ber- 
wick B.ay, New Iberia, and the coast of Texas, 
during the winter of 1863-64. In February they 
returned to Berwick Bay and started on the Red 
River expedition. At Sabine Crossroads, La., in 
April, Mr. Riddle was captured by the enemy and 
being takcu to Tyler, Tex., experienced the 
horrors of Southern prison life until April, 1865. 
On his release from confinement he was taken to 
New Orleans, thence to St. Louis, Mo., and then 



620 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



to Springfield. 111., where he was discharged. His 
healtii had been shattered by prison life and for a 
time his restoration to his accustomed vigor was 
his sole thought and aim. 

When sullicientlN' recovered to endure a stu- 
dent's life, Mr. Riddle resumed his work in the 
university at Springfield and on leaving there 
began the study of medicine. He entered Rush 
Medical College at Chicago, spent the school year 
of 1866-67 in assiduous study there, then began 
active practice at Niantic, Macon County. He 
still continued the study of his profession, and in 
1872 again entered Rush Medical College, from 
which lie received the degree of Doctor of Medi- 
cine. He at once established an office in Mechan- 
icsburg, where he has remained, holding the 
business against a half score of transients and 
responding to steadily increasing calls. So wide- 
spread has his reputation become that his practice 
sometimes amounts to as much as ^8,000 [tcr year. 
He has bought a fine farm and invested monej' in 
Springfield city property, thus [ireparing for the 
rainy da}', should he live to be physically unable 
to continue his professional duties, and ensuring 
his family against want. 

Dr. Riddle secured for his life companion Cor- 
delia Constant, a native of this county, with whom 
he was united in marriage September 3, 1868. 
Mrs. Riddle is an educated, refined woman, who 
fully sympathizes with her husband in his ad- 
vanced ideas and thoroughly understands the art 
of making a cozy and happy home. Four chil- 
dren have come to bless the happy union. From 
their earliest childhood they have been treated as 
responsible beings, the parents living on the same 
plane with them, and the result is that the fullest 
confidence exists between parents and children. 
The household band is remarkable for the polished 
manners of its members and the thoughtful care 
of each for the welfare of the others. The chil- 
dren are Earl A., who was graduated from Eureka 
(111.) College after completing the classical course 
and is now a successful teacher and a young man of 
most exemplary habits; Lila Mabel, who is pursu- 
ing her study of the classics in Eureka College; 
Willie Elkin, who is taking a preparatory course 
in the home school; (Srace Halbert, who is fol- 



lowing as fast as her youth will permit in the same 
course of intellectual culture. 

Dr. Riddle belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to 
the (Irand Army of the Republic, and as may well 
be supposed, is a member of the Association of 
Union Prisoners. He has advanced ideas on the 
subject of education and to him more than to 
an}' other one man is due the excellence of the 
home school, which stands on a par with any in 
the country. His motto is "good teachers first, 
expense second," and this principle has led to the 
employment of the best instructors and the conse- 
quent elevation of the educational status of the 
pupils. He is a member of the Christian Church 
and brings his customary zeal to bear upon 
religious work. His home abounds with choice 
literature and is an ideal one in its evidences of 
refined taste. Dr. Riddle is a whole-souled, genial 
gentleman, whfise liberality to family and friends 
has passed into a proverb, and whose portrait in 
connection with this brief life review, will be wel- 
comed by his large circle of acquaintances. 



-R ^ \ ^^T*^ 



<^NTRIM CAMPBELL BROWN is the 
( @/lI| j senior member of the firm of Brown & 

I IJ) Canfield, wholesale and retail fiorists, 
<^ who have a large and constantly increasing 

business. They are engaged chiefly in the grow- 
ing and sale of cut llowers and plants, their specialty 
being the rose, the queen of flowers. They not 
only have a large local business, but send to Chi- 
cago and St. Louis daily shi|iments of cut roses, 
carnations, and bulbous flowers, such as Roman 
h^'acinths, lilies of the valley and lilies during 
their season. In the late winter, spring and summer 
months, many thousands of rose plants are propa- 
gated and sent to all parts of the country, as far 
east as Rhode Island, south to Mississippi and 
Texas, west to Colorado, and north to Minnesota 
and Michigan. These plants are mostly sold at 
wholesale to other florists. 

Mr. Blown is a native of Springfield, born June 
24, 1861, to James and S. Julia (^Martin) Brown, 
and is the youngest of a large family of children, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



621 



of whom only two besides himself are now living: 
a brother, John Hackett, a special agent of the 
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Compan}-, of 
Milwaukee, located at Davenport, Iowa; a sister, 
JMrs. Eliza May (Brown) Copeland, now a resident 
of tlie same city; there is also a half-brother, Sher- 
man Page Brown, who is in the railroad business in 
Chicago. Our subject was educated in the public 
schools of the city, and afterward studied law in 
the office of Jolin M. Palmer. Before completing 
his studies, however, he gave up the legal profession 
for a calling more suited ana congenial to his 
tastes, and in the spring of 1881 he began the cul- 
ture of small fruits and market-gardening for 
pleasure and profit. 

The place upon which Mr. Brown began his 
operations as a florist was his father's liouiestead, 
consisting of some six or eight acres in the south- 
western part of the city; the same spot is now 
occupied by the greenhouses of the firm. The first 
greenhouse was built in 1884 for forcing lettuce in 
winter, and from this unpretentious beginning he 
gradually drifted into the florist'.s business, built 
more greenhouses, and in August, 1887, entered 
into co-partnership with Arthur C. Canfield. Mr. 
Brown belongs to the social order of the Knights 
of Pythias; is, politicallj' a Democrat, and is a 
communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 
in which, as in society at large, he bears an excel- 
lent reputation. He still lives with his mother in 
the house in which he was born, on South Walnut 
Street. 

The father of Mr. Brown was an early settler 
and pioneer of this county, coming to Springfield 
in 1833, although he did not locate here perma- 
nently until 1837. P'or many -years he was a special 
agent of the Post-Ottice Department, and was en- 
gaged in mercantile business, also for a few years 
lived on his farm in the southwestern part of the 
county. For a number of years prior to his death 
he lived retired from active business. Mr. Brown 
is descended from two old Mar^'land families, both 
parents being natives of that State. His |)aternal 
ancestors settled in Queen Anne's County, on the 
eastern shore of Maryland, in the latter part of the 
Seventeenth eentur}-. In 1674 an original grant of 
land was made by Cecilias, Lord Baltimore, to 



Stephen Tully and William Hackett, who intermar- 
ried with the Browns; in 1750 more land was added, 
under the name of Ripley and re-surveycd to John 
Brown with the seal of Frederick, Lord Baltimore. 
This estate is still in the possession of a senior 
branch of tlie family. 

On the maternal side Mr. Brown is a direct de- 
scendant of Thomas Martin, who came from Here- 
fordshire, England, about 1640, at which time a 
large grant of land was given him by Lord Balti- 
more in what is now Talbot County, on the eastern 
shore of Maryland. This estate continued in the 
family until 1864, under the name of liampden. In 
Colonial times members of the family held com- 
missions as magistrates, direct from the Crown. 
Mrs. Brown is also a direct descendant, through 
her mother, of John Dickinson, of Delaware, a 
member of the convention that framed the Consti- 
tution of the United States of America. 



\T OHN C. OSTERMAN, a Prussian by birth, 
came to this country in 1854 before he iiad 
scarcely attained manhood, so that the most 
eventful portion of his life has been passed 
in the United States, and he has proved to be a 
loyal and law-abiding citizen of this government. 
For thirty years he has been a resident of this 
county and is classed among its industrious and 
thrifty farmers, his farm on section 4, Island Grove 
Township, showing in its neat and vvell-ordered 
appointments the care and labor expended upon it 
by its owner. 

Our subject was born in Prussia, Germany, 
March 4, 1834, and is a son of Joseph and Cath- 
erine Osterman, who were likewise natives of that 
country and both of whom are now deceased. Mr. 
Osterman passed his boyhood and youth in the 
land of his nativity, but as he approaclied manhood, 
knowing well that according to the laws of the 
Fatherland he would have to serve it as a soldier 
and having no wish to enter the army, he decided 
to evade the proscription by emigration to this 
country. And in accordance with that resolve he 
quietly bade adieu to his home and embarked on 



622 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the Bremen lii.e of steamers bound for America 
and landed at Galveston, Tex., .lune 4, 1854. From 
Galveston he made bis wa\- to Jacksonville, 111., 
where he found work on a farm, and was thus em- 
ployed the ensuing three years. 

In 1857 Mr. Osterman came to this county and 
was married November 3, 18(i0, to Miss Martha 
Wilcox. Mrs. Osterman is a native of this county 
and was born November 7, 1840. Her [jarents 
were among the earl^' settlers of this part of the 
country, having come here from Kentucky. Thoy 
acquired considerable real estate and at their death 
Mrs. Osterman received her share of the {iroperty. 

Oui subject has been a careful, hard-working 
man all his life and his labors have been duly 
rewarded. He has added improvements of a sub- 
stantia) kind to the forty acres that he owns on 
section 4, Island (h'ove Township, so that it is a 
fine-looking, well-kept little farm. Here he and 
his wife have a neat home whose surroundings 
show taste on their part and impress one with a 
sense of comfort and coziness. He erected his resi- 
dence in 1865. Mr. Osterman is a true Catholic in 
his religious faith and in his political belief is a 
strong Democrat. He is a man of sound sense, 
possessing good capabilities and his course as a 
man and a citizen is above reiiroach. 

^R. FRANK FLEURY, Secretary of the Illi- 
nois State Board of Pharmacy', is doing elli- 
cient service in his position. His whole life 
has been devoted to the profession of a druggist 
and physician, and close application to his profes- 
sion has eminentl}' qualifieil him for the place he 
so ably fills. To him was largel}' due the passage 
of t'.ie present State Pharmacy Law, which lessens 
the risk to humanity in the use of drugs, by making 
it unlawful for those not projjerly qualified to dis- 
pense them. 

Our subject was born in Meadville, Pa., vSeptem- 
her 28, 1841, to Jacob and ^Margaret (Newcomer) 
Fleury, natives of York County. His father kejjt 
hotel for many years, but during the latter part of 
his life owned and carried on a grocery store. He 



died when Frank was nine years of age and the 
widowed mother passsd aw,a3' three years later. 
After the death of the latter our subject went to 
the countr3' to live, remaining until he was fifteen 
years old. He then entered into the employ of 
Carter & Brother, as an apprentice in a drug store 
in Erie, Pa., and remaining with the firm about 
three years, acquired a good knowledge of the 
properties of drugs and their compounding. In 
1859 he came to this State with Dr. A. T. C. Wortli- 
ington, with whom he remained a year in Alton as 
a student of medicine. He then re-entered the 
drug business as a clerk for 15. F. Barr3% and as the 
store was but a block from the soldiers' headquar- 
ters, he had an opportunity of practicing medicine 
as well as dispensing drugs. 

After three years' residence in Alton he went to 
Chicago, where for a short time he was engaged 
with the United States Express Company. The 
company sent him to Hloomington as office clerk, 
where he continued a short time in the express 
business, then resumed his old occupation under 
Paist A' Marnion with whom he remained a year, 
after which he began business for himself. In 1865 
he came to .Spi'iugfield, making the change of loca- 
tion in June. This month is one of the coinci- 
dences in Ills life. He came West in June, 1859, 
and located in Alton, changed to Bloomington 
June, 1862, and to S|>ringfield, June, 1865, where 
he entered the drug store of T. J. V. Owen and 
was subsequently employed by R. W. Diller. In 
1867 he gave up his position on account of ill 
health. 

In 1868 he was elected City Clerk and served 
until 1872, being re-elected each year. He then 
went into the laundry business, which he sold after 
establishing the business on a good basis. Again 
taking up the business of a pharmacist he engaged 
with Glidden & Co., "Old Corner Drug Store," 
where he remained until 1876, when he opened a 
drug store on the north side of the Square known 
as ''505," and there did the leading business in 
his line. In the meantime he began the manufac- 
ture of a line of proprietary medicines under the 
style of the Fleury Medicine Compan}'. Several 
of these compounds had a large sale, Fleury's 
Wahoo Tonic being especially popular. He dis- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



623 



posed of "505" in 1884, and opened an office as 
a medical practitioner. He again resumed the drug 
business in 1885 at the "old corner," where after 
three years of successful business be determined 
to abandon the drug trade and sold bis slock to 
Stuart Broad well. In November, 1888, Dr. Fleury 
went to Chicago and engaged in the practice of 
medicine; fifteen months later be was elected Secre- 
tary of the State Board of Pliarniacy, which necessi- 
tated his return to Springfield. 

In 1883 he was elected Alderman from the Fifth 
Ward, serving two years. Street paving found in 
bim a warm friend and abettor and lie worlied for 
everything wlacli was calculated to improve the 
city. In December, 1880, lie was chosen Secrctarj' 
of tiie Illinois Pharmaceutical Society and it was 
while occup3'ing that position that he urged the 
passage of the Pharmacy Law. He was appointed 
a member of the Board of Pharmacy in July, 1881, 
and elected Secretarj-. He resigned two months 
before ^his term of office expired, but continued 
upon the board until January, 1885. In politics 
Dr. Fleury is a Democrat. He belongs to the 
orders of Masonry, Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, 
and Commandery, Knights of Pythias, Elks, and 
Modern Woodmen. 

Tiie intelligence, refinement and worth of char- 
acter of Anna M. Herudon, daugliter of William 
H. Herndon, formerly the law partner of Abraham 
Lincoln, won the regard of Dr. Fleury and desiring 
her companionship through life, they were united 
in marriage June 25, 1864. One child has come 
to bless their congenial union, a daughter, A. May, 
who is her father's assistant in bis office. 



-■^T^ 



'UGFST MOJONIER. In this broad and 
glorious country of ours where industry 
ii and natural abilitj' arc the two leading 
.^j^ powers in the c(>mmercial world, we find 

natives of every countrj- who have given up the 
lK)me of their childhood and journeyed forth to 
seek a broader field for their labor. And as a rule 
tlio foreigners who come here prospecting, as it 
were, remain and in the course of time become nat- 




uralized citizens and bring with them habits of 
industry and firmness of character that enable them 
to achieve a grand success in their chosen line of 
labor. 

Our subject's birth occurred in Aubonne, Vaud 
Count}', Switzerland, on the 28th of August, 1840, 
and in that romantic and picturesque country he 
passed the first nine years of his life. His parents, 
Frederick and Rosetta (Agnet) Mojonier, emigra- 
ted to America and landed in New Orleans in the 
month of May, 1850, and at a later date moved to 
Highland, Madison County, Illinois, where the 
father purchased a farm and devoted his attention 
to agricultural pursuits, and our subject continued 
to reside with his parents and work on the farm 
until he iiad reached his twenty- third year. 

Mr. Mojonier received only a limited education, 
and was instructed entirely in the French tongue, 
consequently he has been compelled to teacli him- 
self, and has acquired knowledge of a practical 
rather than of a literary nature. When twenty- 
three years-of age — January, 1864 — he was married 
to Miss Anna M. Junod , daughter of Louis and 
Annette Junod, who were also natives of Switzer- 
land, having emigrated to America in 1849. Her 
fatlier died in St. Louis in the fall of 1849. and the 
widowed mother with her five children moved to 
Madison County, Illinois, where Anna was raised 
and educated, and resided there at the time of her 
marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mojonier are the parents of five 
children, four of whom died in infancy. Their 
son, A. Louis, was born February 20, 1869, and 
married Miss Bertha Hobson. He makes his home 
at Danneboro, Howard County, Neb., where he is 
engaged in a general merchandise business. The 
family are members of the Brethren Church at 
Springfield. 

Our subject's father was born in Switzerland and 
was the son of Samuel Mojonier. He was a shoe 
manufacturer while he lived in his native country, 
but after settling in Madison Countj' he 
engaged in farming. Our subject began purchas- 
ing grain at Highland in 1868, and be shipped the 
first car load of grain ever sent from that station 
over the Vandalia Railroad. He established a large 
and profitable business during the sixteen years he 



624 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



lived at that place, and then removed to Springfield. 
But at the expiration of two years he purchased the 
elevator at Chatham, where he now resides. He is 
doing a prosperous business in the lines of lumber, 
builders' supplies and grain trade. He has won 
the regard and respect of all throughout this com- 
munity. The subject of our sketcii is worthy of 
great praise, having succeeded in his efforts in life 
and enjoying the friendship of those wlio know 
him. 



'OHN R. KINCAID. The vocation of a far- 
mer is one that calls for the exercise of good 
judgment based on a close observation of 
/ natural phenomena, while in its social 
aspects it develops the virtue of hospitality, char- 
ity and brotherly kindness in a degree scarcely 
equaled by any other calling. It is with pleasure 
therefore that the biographical writer records the 
principal facts in the lives of our agriculturists, 
even though they ma}' have passed through no 
very exciting events in their earthly progress. 

The gentleman with whose name this sketch is 
introduced is of Virginian birth and parentage, but 
was reared to man's estate in Ohio. His parents, 
James and Mary Jane (Gwin) Kincaid, began their 
wedded life in the'r native State and our subject, 
their second child, was born in what was then Bath 
County on the Greenbrier River, November 12, 
1833. After the famdy removed to Gallia Count}', 
Ohio, he pursued the branches taught in the com- 
mon schools and later spent two 3'ears in attend- 
ance at the Gallia Academy, thereby becoming 
well informed and preparing his mind to receive 
the education that is only to l^e obtained by con- 
tact with mankind and personal experience. 

In 1857, while still a single man, Mr. Kincaid 
came to this county, where for six years he was 
included in the arm}- of instructors of the young, 
and won an honored name as a teacher. He then 
turned his attention to farming, establishing a home 
in Ball Township where he carried on his avocation 
ten j'ears. At the expiration of that time he 
removed to section 19, Cotton Hill Township, 
where he still lives. He owns a fine estate of three 



hundred and sixt}' acres of the fertile land that 
makes this county a chosen spot for the agricul- 
turists, and has surrounded himself with many con- 
veniences in the way of farm buildings, improved 
machines and the various adornments of a rural 
abode. 

The attractive and hospitable dwelling that shel- 
ters Mr. Kincaid and his family is presided over by 
a refined, capable woman with whom he was united 
in marriage in Springfield on New Year's Day, 1863. 
She bore the maiden name of Mary J. Mereditii 
and is a daughter of Davis and Mary (Newcomer) 
Meredith, who are now residents of Ball Township. 
Mrs. Kincaid was born in this county December 3, 
1842. Six ciiildrcn have come to bless the hearts 
of our subject and his companion, named respect- 
ively: Luther E., James W., Kate JI., Fred C, 
Ciiarles J. and Dora F. The first-born is happily 
married to Metta E. A^igal and lives in tliis town- 
ship. 

Although the chief attention of Mr. Kincaid for 
years has been paid to his personal affairs and the 
enjoyment of domestic life, yet he has served his 
fellow-men in the capacity of a school officer. In 
political belief he is in sympathy with the Repub- 
lican party and he is always to be found depositing 
the ballot of the party on election day. Mrs. Kin- 
caid belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
is a valued member. She and her husband are 
classed among the best citizens of the section in 
which they live aiKl are favorably known in their 
former home. 



<«1 ftTLLIAM FOSTER. There is something 
\ /\/ii i'lteresting to everyone in the history of a 
\^^ man who, having fought in the battle of 
life, has gained both honors and wealth for himself 
and has retired to the peaceful enjoyment of the 
closing years of his existence. The morning of life 
is the time for playing, the noon for working, and 
the evening for resting, and liappj' is the man who 
enjoys all these rights and privilege,'. 

Our subject resides on section 3, of Chatham 
Township, surrounded on every side b}' comforts. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



626 



He is a son of George and Sanih (Jlillei) Foster, 
and was born in Clark County, Ky., Marcli 15, 
1822. Ilis parents removed from the Blue Grass 
State to Sangamon County, 111., in the year 182G, 
settling on Lick Creek. He (lasged the first years 
of his life on a farm, but his father died when lie 
had reached his sixteenth year, leaving his mother 
with the charge of eight children, and William be- 
ing the eldest in the family jnanaged the home 
farm and remained with his mother until 1846, at 
which time he enlisted in the Mexican War in 
Capt. Morris' company in the Fourth Regiment, 
commanded by Col. E. D. Baker. They left Spring- 
field in September, 1846, and were ordered to re- 
port in Mexico, being transported thither via New 
Orleans and the Rio Grande River and landed 
at Del Norte, where they remained about two 
months. They were next ordered to San Chilla. 
Our subject remained in Mexico until the close of 
the war, and after returning to Illinois took up the 
management of his mother's farm once more. 

Mr. Foster was married on September 20, 1848, 
to Miss Elizabeth Shutt, daughter of Jacob Shutt, 
and a native of Kenluek)'. She was born Novem- 
ber 22, 1827. To this union were born nine chil- 
dren, all of whom are living at the present writing, 
viz: George, who married Miss Maggie Young and 
resides in Chatham Township; William P., who mar- 
ried IMiss Ella Darrowand makes his home in Adair 
County, Mo.; Jacob F., is single and lives with his 
parents; Sarah E., married Henry Bivin an<l lives 
in Chatham Township; John I), and Leonard G. 
are single and live at home; Marion E. is also at 
home; Eva J., who married Simpson Williamson, 
makes her home in Madisonville, Ky.; and Charles 
II. is single and with his parents. 

Our subject has continued to reside upon the 
same farm where he now lives since his marriage. 
This farm embraces three hundred and twenty acres 
of fine farming land. He has accumulated all this 
pro|ierty by his industry. In politics he is an 
ardent Democrat and takes great interest in public 
matters whether relating to national or local mat- 
ters. His mother is still living in Sangamon 
County, and at the ripe old age of ninety continues 
in possession of all her faculties. Mr. Foster was 
hunting deer at the time of the famous snowstorm 



in 1830, but reached home'safely and gives very 
entertaining accounts both of that and the Mexican 
AVar. He is very highly respected and much 
liked by all who know him, and surrounded by 
home comforts and the love of a charming wife and 
loving children is |)assing the afternoon of life in 
Christian peace and happiness. 



-^¥r 



^^^EORGE R. JAR! 
Ilj (=, well known in Ne 
^^i^l ing country as tl 



^^EORGE R. JARRETT. This gentleman is 
lew Berlin and the surround- 
the proprietor of a Iiver3' 
and sale stable, the only one in the town, where he 
is carrying on a large business in buj'ing and sell- 
ing horses, and doing well in the other branches of 
the trade. This is not the onl}- enterprise in which 
Mr. Jarrett has been engaged since he became a 
man, but for some time he was closely identified 
with the agricultural interests of the county. Be- 
ginning the struggle of life on a rented farm with 
a very small number of domestic animals, he has 
accquired a snug home and some valuable town 
lots. 

The natal day of Mr. Jarrett was August 28, 
1844, and his birthplace Loami Township. His 
father, William B. Jarrett, is numbered among the 
early settlers of this county, having come hither in 
1828. He was born in Virginia. The mother of 
our subject bore the maiden name of Jane Huggins 
and was also a native of Virginia. The son of whom 
we write remained with his parents until he bad at- 
tained to his majority, when he took possession of 
an eighty -acre tract of land in Christian County, 
which he operated as a renter. 

Februarj' 22, 1866, Mr. Jarrett was married to 
Elizabeth' Ikichanan, who was the daughter of Will- 
iam A. and Maliala (Hodgerson) Buchanan, natives 
respectively of Indiana and Virginia and located 
in Sangamon County in 1828 or 1829. They were 
married in 1842. He received from his father a 
horse, while his wife had given her by her father a 
cow, two hogs and two sheep. The present posses- 
sions of Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett have been acquired 
by years of industry and prudent living, together 
with the good judgment which the husband has 



626 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 




shown in liis investments and in opening a business 
enterprise in New Berlin. Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett 
have one son living, who bears the name of AVill- 
iam W. 

The gentleman of whom we write has a good 
reputation in business circles and is known to the 
many traveling men that do business with him as a 
whole-souled, genial and clever man, alwa3s willing 
to accommodate his patrons even when lie has to 
make sacrifices in doing so. He and his capable 
wife have a wide circle of friends whose esteem 
for them is in proportion to the worth of their 
characters. 

'/_, IRAM O. BOLLES, M.D.,has been a prac- 
ticing physician in Springfield for uiore 
than a quarter of a century, coming here 
fiesh from his studies and within that time 
he has made a name anti lias won an honorable 
place for himself among the members of his pro- 
fession in this county. He is a native of Cazenovia 
County, N. Y., where he was born July 2!), 1838. 
The Bolles family is one of the old New England 
families, and the parents of our suliject, Barney 
and Emily (Olcott) Bolles, wore natives of Now 
Hampshire. 

The father of our subject went to New York 
from his old liome among the granite hills and 
remained there several years. There he and his 
wife reared a fine family of six children, of whom 
four are living, namely: Emily, wife of Frank 
VVheatley, engineer of the Springfield water-works; 
Hiram 0.; James E., a resident of Peoria, 111., and 
Jennie F., who makes her home with the Doctor. 
The Bolles family came to Illinois in 1870, and the 
father and mother are now living with their son, 
the former at the venerable age of eiglity-tive, 
and the latter at the age of seventy-nine. 

Hiram O. Bolles was given superior educational 
advantages, laying the solid foundation for his 
medical studies in an excellent institution of learn- 
ing in New Hampshire. He was graduated from 
the New Ipswich University, in that State, in the 
year 1858, with high rank for good scholarship. In 



the same 3ear he began to prepare himself for his 
profession in the medical department of the Penn- 
sylvania Universit}', from which he was graduated 
in 1864, well equipped for the life upon which he 
was about to enter. After leaving college he came 
to Springfield and has ever since been in active 
practice here. He has done well in his calling and 
has established himself firmly in the confidence of 
the [leople, many of whom have been his patrons 
nearly the whole time of his residence here. He 
keeps pace with his brethren in thought and careful 
study, and avails himself whenever practicable of 
new discoveries in the medical world and of mod- 
ern methods in practice. He is greatly interested 
in the welfare of his adopted citj', and for many 
years has been one of its most valued civic officials. 
He was a member of the City Council in 1875, and 
for the last fourteen years has been President of 
tlie Board of Waler Commissioners and has done 
good service in that capacity. Politically hissj-m- 
pathies are with the Democrats. He is a man of 
a warm, genial, social nature, is popular and well 
liked and is an active member of various societies. 

Dr. Bolles was married to Miss Eliza Van Meter, 
a native of Illinois, May 23, 18G5. To them came 
four children, of whom three are living — Chester 
IL, who is now carrying on the drug business at 
No. 502, north side of the Square: Birdie V. and 
Mamie E., all of whom are at home with their 
father. After a pleasant wedded life of twentj'-one 
years the Doctor's happy home circle was broken 
by the death of the beloved wife and mother in 
November, 1886. She was a woman of rare merit 
whose fine disposition had gathered to her many 
friends. In ber death the Second Methodist Epis- 
copal Church lost one of its most active and valued 
members. 

Below we append a brief notice of the death of 
Mrs. Bolles: 

DIED — Bolles. — In this city on November 14, 1885, 
Mrs. Eliza Y. Bolles, wife of Dr. II. O. Bolles, in the 
40tli year of her age. 

The funeral of this most estimable lady took plac^ 
from the family residence, and was attended by a 
very large number of friends of the family, who 
had known the deceased for years, and came to 
evince their respect for the pure life and womanly 
graces of a beloved neighbor. The Monitor deeplj' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



629 



sympathizes vvitli Dr. Bollcs and lliose whose hearts 
have been called to bleed by this visit of the angel 
of death to their domestic heaven. Mrs. Bolles a 
few weeks ago was the picture of health, and yet 
to-day slumbers in the grave. How true it is that 
in the midst of life we are in death. 

Peace to her beloved ashes. 
The following tributes to the memory of Harry, 
the deceased son of Dr. Bollos, is worthy of pre- 
sentation in this volume. 

IN MICIIOUIAM. 



The members of the Galileo Literary Society-, of 
Carthage College, at a late meeting adopted the 
following preamble and resolutions: 

Whereas, our late brother-member of this 
society, Harry I\L Bolles, departed this life at his 
home in Springfield. 111., on June 11, 1889; and 

WiiEKEAS, he had been an active and honorable 
Galilean and student of Carthage College, and 
those of us who were associated with him had 
learned to regard him with friendship and high 
esteem for his frank and manlj- character and 
promising ability; therefore, be it 

Ixesolred unanimously by the Galileo Literary 
Society of Carthage College : 

Fifsl: That we dee[)ly regret and mourn his 
untimely death, and that we will cherisli his mem- 
ory. 

Secondbj: That this preamble and resolutions 
be spread upon a page of our record set apart for 
that purpose; that a copy be sent to the father of 
the deceased. Dr. H. O. Bolles, of Springfield. III., 
and that they be published in the Springfield and 
Carthage papers. 

H. Burns Ferris. 
H. L. .Iackson. 
Anna C. Lanstrum. 

Committee. 

Copied from the record, 

A. W. Tiler, Ree. Sec'y. 

The following verses were written by a friend of 
the family : 

I heard a voice of weeping, 

Of weeping sad anfl low, 
For onp is quiet, sleeping, 

Who heeds no note of woe. 

O friends, weep not for Ilarr}', 
Who sleeps beneath the flowers; 

His hours of pain are over. 
He needs no care of ours. 



O loving friends, who sorrow 
For one who comes no mote, 

Look for a bright to-morrow 
On yonder Heavenly shore. 

L. H. Stanchfield. 
Antiocii, Cal., July 9, 1889. 






^<l J>ILLIAM B. WEAVER is the son of a pio- 
\rJ// neer and now has an interest in his father's 
V^^ old homestead in Williams Township, and 
is considered a practical, skillful farmer who is 
helping to advance the interests of Sangamon 
County. He is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, 
wliere he was born October 10. 1846. Jacob 
Weaver, his father, whose portrait is presented on 
the opposite page was also a native of Ohio, where 
he was born in early pioneer times. He came to 
Sangamon County from the Buckeye State in 1853 
and for a year lived in Fancy Creek Township. He 
then cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of AVill- 
iams Township who had preceded him to this place 
and the fruit of his busy life here was a fine farm 
that compares very favorably in point of improve- 
ment and cultivation with the best in the township. 
In 1888 he passed out of life at the age of seventy 
years leaving behind hira the record of an upright, 
honest man. 

The mother of our subject is still living and is 
with him on the old homestead. Her maiden name 
was IMary A. Dean and she was born in Virginia, a 
daughter of Beeget and Mary F. Dean, who were 
both Virginians by birth. They removed to Ohio 
in the early days of its settlement and there spent 
their remaining years. Mrs. Weaver is an upright, 
conscientious Christian and a member of the ]\Ieth- 
odist Church. She is the mother of three children, 
two of whom are living. 

William B. Weaver of whom we write received 
his education in the common schools, and remained 
with his parents until he was twent3--three years 
old. He has always followed farming and conducts 
his operations with shrewdness, discrimination and 
after the best methods. He and his mother have a 
happy home together and the old homestead, whii h 



630 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



is under his charge, is well managed. The farm 
comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land all 
well-injproved and under a liigii state of cultiva- 
tion. Politically Mr. Weaver has always affiliated 
with the Democratic party. He is a member of the 
Masonic order and also of the A. F. & A. M., and 
possessing an excellent character, stands well in his 
community. He is doing much to advance the 
stock-raising interests of Williams Township, as 
for several years he has paid csi)ecial attention to 
raising Short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs 
of a hisjli grade. 



aARL A. HELMLE. This gentleman has 
been connected with the commercial life of 
' Springfield since 1854 and his name is well- 
known to the most of the citizens of the capital .as 
that of a worthy representative of the better class 
of Germans. He belongs to one of the oldest and 
most infiuential families of Carlsruhe, the capital 
of the Grand Duchy of Baden, and by birth, edu- 
cation and the manner in which he h.as spent his 
mature years, is fitted to stand as a ty|)e of the race. 

In the city of Carlsruhe our subject opened his 
eyes to the light September 10, 1827. His parents 
were Heinrich and Caroline (Himmelheber) Ilelmle. 
When old enough to attend school young Carl was 
sent to the Lyceum of Carlsruhe in which he receiv- 
ed his education. He never had any desire to 
study the classics, but wished to enter a military ac- 
ademy. He was finally dissuaded by his mother, a 
highly accomplislied lady, and influenced to choose 
a mercantile life. Soon after beginning his business 
career he became book-keeper in an extensive com- 
mission and forwarding house, and aftef leaving 
this position accepted a situation in Brussells, Bel- 
gium, and afterward removed to Paris, France. 
Indoor life and too close confinement began to im- 
pair his health and for the purpose of recu[)erating 
and prompted also by his love of independence and 
liberty, he determined to goto America. 

Mr. Ilelmle accordingly closed up his affairs and 
embarked, arriving in New York City, November 
21, 1849. He had letters of recommendation to 



leading business houses in that city, but feeling 
that his health demanded outdoor occupation he 
went on to Missouri and engaged in farming. Here, 
February 20, 1853, he was married to Miss Marie 
Flesche. In June following, not succeeding in his 
new vocation as he had hoped, lie came to Spring- 
field, III. In company with Fiank Reiscli, be opened 
a general store. The firm subsequently engaged 
in the brewing business, beginning on a small scale, 
manufacturing bul one thousand barrels the first 
year. Tlie business gradually increased and became 
one of the largest of its kind in the State. In 
18G4 Mr. Ilelmle dissolved partnership and began 
the wholesale liquor business in which he still con- 
tinues, having established a fine trade throughout 
Central Illinois. 

Mr. Ilelmle has alw.ays been a Democrat and he 
has tilled many public otiices with acceptability. 
As a liusiness man he is prompt, systematic and 
accurate, giving his personal attention to all the 
details of his affairs. In public enterprises he has 
always borne a worthy part and especially given 
his attention to educational interests. As a man, 
he is highly esteemed for his personal and social 
qualities. He has devoted much time to self-cul- 
ture and by extensive reading has acquired a valua- 
ble fund of information. He has collected a library 
containing many rare volumes, adorned his resi- 
dence with valuable paintings and other works of 
art, and enjoying an ample income lives surrounded 
by the pleasures and comforts of a happy home. 



'=^r^ 



iy{^___^ ORATIO B. BUCK, M. D. has since 1865 
been a prominent resident of Springfield 
and is one of the leading physicians of the 
[(^) city, but his reputation is not confined 
alone to Springfield or Illinois, for his writings and 
the prominent part he has taken in various medical 
assemblies have made him known to many through- 
out the Union. His birth occurred in the far north- 
east — York County, Me., on the 27th of January, 
1832. His parents. Dr. Reuben and Alice (Jaquith) 
Buck, had a family of nine children, four sons 
and five daughters, of whom he is the youngest. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



631 



His father was born near Boston, Mass., and sprang 
from Scotch ancestry. After completing his edu- 
cation in the schools of Boston he married Miss 
Jaquith of the same locality and removed to Ac- 
ton, York County, Me., where he secured a large 
and lucrative practice and passed a long and suc- 
cessful professional life. A man of prominence and 
influence in the community he exerted his power 
for good, engaging in such work as was calculated 
to advance the best interests of the community. 
The cause of temperance and the Sunday-school 
work also found in him a stanch friend and at the 
age of eiglity he wrote a theological article for the 
Portland press which displayed remarkable preser- 
vation of his intellectual pow'ers. He died in his 
eighty-eighth year, having ten years survived his 
wife who died at the age of seventy-six. 

We now take uj) tlie personal history of our sub- 
ject who enjoyed fair educational advantages in both 
public and private schools. Early evincing a strong 
desire to enter his father's profession, his fondness 
for the work was encouraged by his father and 
brother, tiien partners in medical practice, and tiie 
best opportunities were accorded him. In 1851, 
he began reading under the direction of his father 
and after four years was appointed teacher in a 
district sciiool of Lebanon, Me. At the solicitation 
(if friends he also opened a select school in his na- 
tive village, but teaching served only as a stepping- 
stone to other professional life. He kept con- 
stantly before him the idea of practicing medicine 
and made evei'\tliing subservient to tliat purpose. 
His college studies were pursued in the medical 
department of Bowdoin College, of Maine, and on 
the completion of the course he entered the Jeffer- 
son Medical College of Philadelplua, Pa., from 
which he w.as graduated in I806, receiving the de- 
gree of M. I)., also a private letter of recommenda- 
tion from Dr. Joseph Pancoast, the leading surgeon 
of the State. 

Dr. Buck at once entered upon his professional 
life in Pliiladelpliia, where he remained until 1862. 
Love of country led him to Washington City, 
where he offered his services to the Government and 
entered upon duty in Columbia College Hospital. 
After six months, having passed a rigid examina- 
tion before the Board at Washington, he was given 



a surgeon's commission signed by President Lin- 
coln and took charge of the regular artillery at- 
taclied to the .Second Army Corps in March, 18G3. 
From that time until the spring of 18G4 he was 
with the Army of the Potomac in all its campaigns 
after which he was sent to Springfield where he 
found an extensive liekl of labor. This city was 
the rendezvous whither troops from all parts of 
the State were hastening. Sickness was continu- 
ally breaking out among them and Dr. Buck found 
his time fully occupied, but his hosi)ital experience 
has proved of invaluable assistance to him in 
his professional career. The accommodations for 
the sick and wounded at this place were very inad- 
equate, but in a short time through his instrumen- 
tality more commodious quarters were provided 
and arrangements made for the comforts of the 
patients. This measure was a laudable one and its 
wisdom was shown by the great reduction of mor- 
tality-. After continuing his labors in Springfield 
until 1865, Dr. Buck was transferred to Madison, 
Wis. to aid in the closing up of a large general hos- 
pital, which task was accomplished in six months. 
This brought his official duties to a close and lie 
now turned his attention to private practice. 

In March, 1863, the marriage of Dr. Buck and 
Miss Lizzie Heller, daughter of George K. Heller 
of Cheltenham, Pa., was celebrated. Two yia.vs 
later as before staled, the Doctor made a perma- 
nent location in Springfield and in the years that 
have since come and gone has made for himself a 
place in the front rank of the county's many tal- 
ented practitioners. He has won an extensive and 
lucrative practice which year b}' year increases. He 
bears the honors conferred upon him without the 
vanity which a man of narrow mind would dis|)lay 
and has won the highest regard of all with whom 
business or social relations have brought him in 
contact. 

The Doctor has served as Vice-President of 
the State Medical Society and was its delegate to 
the American Medical Societ\' which convened in 
Philadelphia in 1876. In 1879 he was President 
of the TriStates' Medical Society, wliich lield its 
session in Louisville. Ky.. and which has since 
changed its name to the Mississippi ^'allev Medical 
Society, a very tlourishing organization. He has 



632 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



also been a member of the Pension Bocard (except 
tiering the administration of President Cleveland) 
continuously since 1877. and since his re-appoint- 
ment is President of the Board. He is largely in- 
terested in Texas property, his possessions being 
chiefly in Fort Worth. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and is active in all good 
works, a man of progressive and enterprising spirit. 



_5^5 — 1 > ■ * 



yi SAIAH BOYNTON JOHNSON is one of the 
large landowners of the county. His home is 
situated on secLion 34, Rochester Township, in 
the midst of a fine farm of three hundred and 
ninetj' acres, well cultivated and improved. He 
not only carries on general farming but engages in 
stock raising to a consideral)le extent and is known 
as one of the enterprising and progressive citizens 
of the community. He was born in Rochester 
Township, on the 9tli of May, 1851, and is a son 
of John Johnson, whose sketch appears on another 
page of this work. His early life passed unevent- 
fully. In the district schools of the neighborhood 
he acquired a good education during tiie winter 
season and in the summer months his time was de- 
voted to farm labor. At length he arrived at 
years of maturity and for a companion on life's 
journey he chose Miss .Sarah Ann Lovelace, the 
union being celebrated on the 27th of April, 1871. 
The lady was born in Rochester Township, Septem- 
ber 11, 18.j.'),an<l is a daughter of Reason and Jane 
(Wagner) Lovelace, both of whom died in this 
township. By their union have been born eight 
children, but three of the number died in early 
childhood. The living are Elizabeth J., Jasper 
N., Lester L., Cora S. and Drady. Mrs. Johnson 
is a member of the Christian Church. 

Mr. Johnson in the pursuit of a legitimate liusi- 
ness, has acquired a good propeity and deserves no 
little credit for his success. A glance at liis home 
shows a good dwelling surrounded by all the neces- 
sary barns and outbuildings, together with well- 
tilled fields and fine grades of stock, all of which 
indicates the enterprise and progressive spirit of 
tlie owner. He luas made a specialty of shipping 



cattle and raises a goodly number of hogs. The 
untiring work of his hands^Vlirected by a well-bal- 
anced brain has brought him prosperity and he is 
numltered among the substantial citizens of the 
community. He has also been honored with a 
number of local offices, the duties of which he ever 
discharged with that promptness and fidelit}' which 
has marked his entire career and won him the con- 
fidence and esteem of all with whom business or 
social relations have brought him in contact. For 
two years he held the'offlce of Supervisor of Roches- 
ter Township, for one year was Collector and is 
now serving his third year in the position of High- 
way Commissioner. He [^supports the Republican 
party by his ballot and influence and feels a deep 
interest in its success. 




"Alexander jones is contributing lus 

sh.are to the maintenance of the continued 
A pros[)erity of Cotton Hill Townsiiip as a 
(i*^ rich agricultural center, by his work as a 

practical, progressive farmer and stock-raiser. He 
is a native of Ball Township, his parents Thomas 
and Zil|)ah (Green) Jones, being among the early 
settlers of this part of Sangamon Couutj-, where 
they spent their remaining days. They were na- 
tives of Jefferson County, where they were reared 
and married. Their pioneer labors helped to de- 
velop Ball Township and they were held in remem- 
brance as among the most worthy of those who 
located here in early d.ays. 

Alexander w.as the youngest of a familj' of twelve 
children. He grew to manhood in the home of 
his birth and remained with his parents until he 
had attained the age of twenty-four years. He 
then settled in Christian County, where he lived 
eight years, and after that spent a year in Henry 
Count}', Mo., prior to settling on section 24. Cotton 
Hill Township, on his present homestead. He has 
always devoted himself to farming, h.as acquired a 
thorough knowledge of his work, and has placed 
his estate of one hundred and sixty acres under 
good cultivation and has it well improved. His 
farm is well adapted for stock-raising purposes to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



633 



which branch of agriculture he gives much atten- 
tion and a fine herd of horses is among liis posses- 
sions. 

Our subject was fortunate in his selection of a 
wife, as to her aid he may attribute much of his 
success, for she has worked faithfully' by his side 
and by her counsels as well as her cheerful help she 
has assisted him very greatly. They were wedded 
in Springfield October 12, I860, and to them have 
come four children, whom they have named Jessie 
B., Charles W., Maud B., and Lulu M. Mrs. Jones 
prior to her marriage was Mrs. Mary A. Pugh and 
she was born in Smith County, Tenn., September 22, 
1842. She is a daughter of Benjamin Payne, and 
was the widow of William Pugh when she married 
Mr. Jones. She had one child by her first iiusband, 
Reljecca J., who is now the wife of Andrew Russell. 
Jlrs. Jones is a member of the Baptist Church and 
a sincere Christian. 

Mr. Jones has filled the office of School Director, 
and in politics afliliates with the Democrats. He 
is wideawake and active in his work, is prompt 
and careful in his dealings and possesses the neces- 
sary shrewdness and tact to make him successful in 
his calling. 

I 




ON. SAMUEL HUBBEL TREAT, who for 
more than thirty years has been Judge of 
the United States Court for the Southern 
District of Illinois, was born in or near 
Plainfleld, Otsego Countj', N. Y.,on June 21, 1811. 
He was a son of Samuel and Elsie Treat and had 
three brothers and two sisters, all of whom he sur- 
vived, excepting one sister, Mrs. Caroline T. Mc- 
Clure. of La Porte, Ind. The early years of Samuel 
H. were spent on his father's farm in Otsego County 
and his earl}' education was obtained in the neigh- 
boring district schools. He was not a robust boy 
and, finding farm work too hard for him, he mani- 
fested an ambition to become a lawyer. Accord- 
inglj' when he had reached the age of eighteen 
years, with the permission of his father he left the 
farm and, going to the town of Riclificld, in the 
same county, there began the study of law in the 



office of Judge Iloldridge, a law3'er of eminence 
in that locality, with whom he appears to have re- 
mained until his admission to the bar. 

In the spring of 1834 young Treat, no longer 
able to content himself in his native State, started 
westward to seek his fortune in the Prairie State of 
Illinois. He started out alone, and is said to have 
been six weeks in making the journey, his destina- 
tion being Springfield. About this time he met and 
made the acquaintance of Stephen A. Douglas, then 
quite a young man, who had come to Illinois from 
Canandaigua, N. Y., in the fall of the preceding 
jear and was located at Jacksonville. Their ac- 
quaintance subsequently ripened into a friendship, 
which lasted during the life of Mr. Douglas. Soon 
r.fter his settlement in Springfield Mr. Treat formed 
a law partnership with George Forquor, a half- 
brother of Thomas Ford, afterward Governor of 
the State. Mr. Forquer had held various State 
and county offices and, at the time of which we 
write, was Register of the Land Office in Springfield. 
Their partnership lasted nearly three years and 
until terminated by the death of Mr. Forquer in 
1837, after which Mr. Treat continued in practice 
alone. Not being endowed with a taste or talent 
for public speaking he confined his attention as a 
lawyer to chancery and office business, in which he 
was measurably successful and established an ex- 
cellent reputation. 

In 1837 Samuel II. Treat was married in Jack- 
sonville to ;\Iiss Ann E. Bennett, a native of Vir- 
ginia, who had previously made her home with an 
aunt ip Springfield. She was a handsome, intelli- 
gent and amiable woman, of quiet, unassuming 
manners, and was highly esteemed by all who knew 
her. They had no issue, and her death preceded 
that of her husband about four years. At the 
session of the State Legislature in tlie winter of 
1838-39, a new judicial circuit was established, 
composed of the counties of Sangamon, Tazewell, 
McLean, Livingston, DeWitt, Macon, Dane (Chris- 
tian), Logan and JNIenard, and the late Hon. Stephen 
T. Logan was elected Jurige of the same. But 
Logan, declining to serve, resigned, and our sub- 
ject was apijoiuted by Gov. Carlin to fill the 
vacancy. Judge Treat was afterward chosen by 
the Legislature to fill the same position and served 



634 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



until February 15, 1841, when he was transferred 
to the Supreme Bench of the State. Under the act 
of that Legislative session, reorganizing the judi- 
ciary of Illinois, the justices of the Supreme Court 
were required to do circuit duty and Mr. Treat was 
assigned to the Eighth Judicial Circuit, comprising 
for the most part, the counties of his former cir- 
cuit. He thus served continuously, with one elec- 
tion by the people in 1848, until his ai)pointment 
to the Federal IJcnch. 

On March 3, 1855, Judge Treat, now a jurist of 
established State reputation, was nominated l>y 
President Pierce to the office of Judge of the 
United Stiites Court for the Southern District of 
Illinois, and his nomination was confirmed by the 
Senate. Prior to the 1.3th of February, 1855, the 
State of Illinois constituted but one Federal Dis- 
trict, of which Nathaniel Pope had been the first, 
and Thomas Drummond the second Judge. On 
tlia.l date, however, the act of Congress, dividing 
the State into two districts was approved b3' the 
President and became a lasv. The history of Judge 
Treat's service on the bench, therefore, is the his- 
tory of the Southern District down to the time of 
his death. He performed the varied duties of his 
office with much ability, and with unwavering 
steadiness and clearness of judgment, during the 
leugthened period of thirty-two years, or one gen- 
eration. Lawyers who practiced before him and 
who had occasion to know, state that the proportion 
of his decisions reversed I)y a higher court is at 
least as small as that of any other District Judge 
in the United States. When at last taken sick, 
he lacked less than a month of having completed 
forty-eiglit years on the bench, State and Federal. 

About the middle of March, 1887, Judge Treat 
was compelled by illness to abandon his judicial 
labors. He had been in poor health for a number 
of months, but had still attended to his ordinary 
<lulies. No pain appeared to accompany his dis- 
ease, which was simjily a wasting away of vitality. 
He died at his residence in Springfield, on Sunday 
afteriioon, March 27, 1887, in the seventy-sixth 
year of his age. His funeral took place on the 
fellowing Tuesday, March 29, in this city, from St. 
Paul's Episcopal Church, of which he had been an 
active member from its organization. The funeral 



casket was attended by prominent members of the 
church and parish, who officiated as acting pall- 
bearers, and was followed by relatives and friends 
of the family, and by a large number of represen- 
tative men x)f the bar and judiciary of Illinois. 
The religious services were conducted bj' the Right 
Reverend Bishop Seymour, assisted by the Rev. 
Mr. Taylor, Rector of St. Paul's Church, and the 
Rev. Mr. Larrabee, Rector of the Ascension Church 
in Chicago. After a short address by the Bishop, 
the simple and beautiful Episcopal burial service 
was read and then, the procession being formed, 
the remains of the departed jurist were conveyed 
to Oak Ridge Cemetery and there deposited in the 
family lot, by the side of his consort. 

At a meeting of the vestiy of St. Paul's Church, 
held on the day of the obsequies, the following 
entiy was ordered to be spread upon the church 
records: " Entered into the rest that remaineth for 
the faithful servants of God, on Passion Sunday, 
March 27, 1887, the Hon. Samuel H. Treat, for 
fifty-three years a member of the vestry, and 
the senior warden of St. Paul's Parish, Springfield, 
111." 

At a preliminary meeting of the .Sangamon 
County bar, held in the United States District 
Court-room, on the day succeeding Judge Treat's 
demise, to take formal action in relation thereto, 
Ex-Governor Palmer was selected to preside and 
upon taking the chair delivered a brief and a|)pro- 
priate address of which the following is the most 
material portion: 

"Gentlemen of the Bar: The death of Judge 
Treat is to me a very affecting circumstance — 
affecting from the fact that I have known him per- 
sonally and somewhat intimately, from mj' earliest 
admission to the bar. He was a Judge of the State 
Circuit Court when I came to the bar, and held 
court in Macoupin County the second year after 
my becoming a lawyer, and, what m.ay sound some- 
what singular to younger men who have known 
him onl}' as a judge, he practiced in Macoupin a 
year or two before he came to the bench. I never 
knew of his trying a lawsuit, as a lawyer. He was 
at that time attorney for the State Bank of Illinois, 
and a decree is now on the files of the Macoupin 
Circuit Court written by Judge Treat. My ac- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



635 



quaintance with him, therefore, covers mj' whole 
professional life, which, by the way, has now ex- 
tended to nearly flftv years. 

" I have known him, as you all have known him, 
as a judge of singular purity of life, of very earn- 
est devotion to his judicial duties, without taking 
much part in other public affairs. And 1 suppose 
it may be said of him, with as much truth as of 
any man who has ever been a judge, that there was 
no day in his life wlien any man doubted his in- 
tegrity or liis judicial impartiality, or questioned 
his capacity for his place. Judge Treat was a 
singularly modest man; and it is remarkable that 
in the earlier reports of the State Sui)reme Court 
the decisions rendered by him are brief, terse and 
pointed, manifesting no disposition on liis part to 
display judicial learning. He seemed totally desti- 
tute of tliat ambition, wliich lias impaired tlie force 
of tiie opinions of some of our judges with mere 
rhetoric. He had no ambition. ai)parently, be^'ond 
the simitle discharge of liis duties. Those of you 
wlio arc familiar witli tlie United States District 
Court have observed before now that his opinions 
rarely apjiear in the reports, and wlien they do they 
are a mere half page or so — a bare disposition of 
tlie questions without any attempt at disiilay. 

'■Judge Treat had reached a condition of age 
when he was a lonely man. He had no children 
and but few relatives. He was never fortunate in 
making close, warm, confidential friends, and lie 
lived until he became a lonely, desolate old man. 
A childless wife, who had lived with him so long, 
had passed away — all that he had loved was gone 
before, and when the message was spoken to him 
that called him away, I have no doubt he passed 
into that state where he will find congenial 
society." 

Such, concisely, is Gov. Palmer's estimate of 
the life and judicial services of Judge Treat, but in 
order to give a degree of completeness to this bio- 
grai)ljical notice, something remains to be said of 
his personal and general character. 

Physically, Judge Treat was .ibout five feet, ten 
indies in height, large limbed, square-shouldered, 
and dark complexioned, but not very muscular nor 
inclined to flesh. After the fashion of most gentle- 
men of his generation he wore no beard and always 



went attired in a suit of black broadcloth, the style 
of ills dress not being changed during more than a 
quarter of a century. Flis carriage was sedate and 
dignified, as became his station. He was popular 
as a judge, because of his equability on the bench 
and liis patience in dealing with counsel and liti- 
gants. He was a man of few words, and was to be 
known somewhat intimately to be rightly appreci- 
ated. Though not generally regarded as a social 
man he enjoyed the society of liis personal friends, 
and was fond of a diy joke. He also liked a quiet 
game of chess, in which he used often to indulge 
with Mr. Lincoln and other of his associates. He 
did not wear his heart upon his sleeve and he 
never seemed to court popularity, but was humane 
in his disposition, a good neigiibor, a constant 
friend, charitable to the needy and unfortunate and 
very liberal in supporting the church of his prefer- 
ence. He was not avaricious of money, never 
speculated, and died com|)aratively poor. 

In politics Judge Treat was an old line Demo- 
crat of the Jeffersonian school, and made it a part 
of his religious duty to vote the Democratic ticket 
at all general elections. While flim and consistent 
in his political convictions, yet, with a due regard 
to the proprieties of his official position, he took 
no active part in political campaigns. In his lat- 
ter 3'ears the domestic life of Judge Treat was 
loiiel3-, but we cannot say it was unhappy; for, 
with thinking men solitude is sometimes preferable 
to society. However, he vras fond of books and 
reading, and in his spacious and comfortable man- 
sion he had accumulated an extensive library, 
numbering some twenty-four hundred volumes. 
It was a miscellaneous collection, embracing many 
rare and valuable works, and was es[iccially rich in 
histories, biographies, memoirs and works of travel. 
After his death this fine library' was disposed of at 
private sale to different purchasers, by his adminis- 
trator, Capt. John S. ISradfurd. To the lovers of 
books and literature, who know that such a collec- 
tion is the work of a lifetime, it is a matter for re- 
gret that it could not have been |u-eserved intact 
as he had fonned it. 

We have thus presented the outward events in 
the conspicuously useful career, and the more dis- 
tinguishing traits in the character of Samuel H. 



636 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Treat, and we now hasten to close this slight and 
imperfect sketch. He had his peculiarities and 
foibles, as who has not? But he performed the 
worlv given him to do fearlessly, faithfully and 
well, and now rests from his earthly labors. He 
wore the ermine unstained for nearly half a cen- 
tury, and such was his native ability, his individu- 
ality and integrity of character, that he will long 
be remembered by the bench and bar of his adopted 
State. 



WylLLIAM HOPE DAVIS, M. D., who 
occui)ies a prominent position among the 
leading members of the medical profession 
in this State, is one of the foremost representatives 
of the Eclectic school of practice. He is a native of 
Genesee County, N. Y.,born September 1, 1837, and 
comes of fine stock on both sides of the house. He 
is a. son of David and Harriet (Wilder) Davis, 
natives respectively of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., 
and Worcester, Mass., his father born in 1794 and 
his mother in 1798. His father's ancestors were 
from Ireland, and for generations were noted as 
Protestants and free thinkers. His mother was 
frt>m the well-known AVilder family of Massachu- 
setts. 

David Davis was a mechanic but followed farm- 
ing. _.When our subject was five years of age his 
parents removed to Michigan and there his father 
died at a ripe age in 1871. The mother is still liv- 
ing in Michigan. She has attained the venerable 
age of ninetj'-two years, yet she retains in a remark- 
able degree her physical and mental vigor. She is 
in good health and able to take care of herself. 
Two years ago she visited her son in Springfield, 
making the entire journey alone. She has a sister 
living in California who is three years her senior. 
She comes of a wonderfully long lived race and her 
mother, Harriet Wilder, died in Worcester, Mass., 
at the age of one hundred and five years. 

After he was five years of age, the boyhood of 
our subject was spent in Lapeer County, Mich., 
where he remained until he was seventeen yeais old. 
His father being a carpenter, put him to the same 
employment as soon as he could handle tools. At 



the age mentioned he returned to New York, and 
remained there two years attending school. From 
there he went to Memphis, Tenn., whereat the age 
of nineteen }'oars he united with the Disciple or 
Christian Church of whici) he has since been a 
devoted and consistent member. In that city he 
became a student of Prof. Gabbett, who had held a 
prominent position in the Worcester Eclectic Med- 
ical College of Massachusetts, and remained under 
his instruction some time. In the winter of 18.54-55 
he attended a course of lectures in the Memphis 
College of Medicine, and subsequently pursued 
his studies in Barbees Academy luitil the spring of 
1857. He then established himself in practice in 
Paris, Tex. During the summer of 1858 he 
went out to California by the way of Mexico, 
traveling the entire distance on horseback. In 
August, 1859 he left Texas and rode a pony to 
Memphis, making the entire distance, four hundred 
and seventy-five miles, iu eight days, though much 
of the way led through a wilderness. At Memphis 
he took the cars for Hillsboro, Ohio, where on the 
10th of September he was united in marriage to 
Miss Rachael Ann Davis, who though of the same 
name w.as not a relative. She was a descendant of 
the William Penn family of Pennsylvania. In the 
spring of 1860 Dr. Davis bought a book store in 
Leesburg, Ohio, which he sold a few months later 
and returned to Memphis, Tenn. Political troubles 
made a protracted stay in that city inexpedient, as 
the rumblings of the threatened war were heard on 
every side, so he wisely betook himself to Goodrich, 
Mich. He opened an office in that city for the 
practice of his profession and also bought and man- 
aged a drug store. He accumulated money by his 
enterprises but injured his health by too close appli- 
cation to business. AVhile there he was drafted 
into the army, but bought his way out, deeming it 
belter so to do with his surroundings. He aban- 
doned his practice there and disposed of his drug 
store, and then went to Cincinnati, where he 
attended the Eclectic Institute from which he was 
graduated with honor. His health was still in a 
precarious condition and he traveled that he might 
improve it, for several months in the Eastern States. 
Subsequently- he recommenced practice in Flora, 
III., but early iu 1867 left that place and located 




■«s'i&ss5«*s;r=^^ 



m^s^^gTii- 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AI-BUM. 



639 



permanently in Springfield. Here lie lias ever 
since led an acLive and busy life, as the demands 
of a large practice require his constant attention. 
lie has met with more than ordinary success, and 
liis fame as a physician extends far beyond the 
hounds of city and county, and has tended to 
heighten the reiiutation of the school of medicine 
that he so ably represents. 

Dr. Davis is very prominent in medical circles 
and has done much to promote the advancement of 
his profession. . It was mainly through his instru- 
mentality that the Illinois Eclectic Medical Society 
was oiganized, as he procured its charter in 1869. 
Me was Secretary of the societ}' five j'ears and was 
unanimously elected editor of its journal, which 
position he has filled with credit. He was promi- 
nent in the councils of the National Medical 
Association which met in the city of Washington 
in 187(5, and he was elected Secretary of the Associ- 
ation. He has contributed many valuable articles 
to periodical medical literature, and he was one of 
the first movers for the laws regulating the prac- 
tice of medicine. He has been a member of the 
Springfield City Board of Ilealih for a number of 
years and is one of the most useful members of 
that important sanitary organization. He is a man 
of large heart and generous impulses, is charitable 
in the extreme, and no good work for the advance- 
ment of the city fails for want of his hearty co- 
operation with its movers. 



-h-i^^^^^^^ 



^KORGK PICKRELL was for many years 
II (^wi pi'O'iii'ieii'' among the intelligent and pro- 
%^J^ gressive farmers and stock-raisers of this 
county. His whole course as a man and a citizen 
was such as to reflect honor on the citizenship of 
this, his native county, and his untimely death in 
1886 when scarcely past life's prime was felt as a 
loss to the community where he was so well known 
and greatly respected. In connection with this 
sketch his portrait is shown on the opposite page. 

Mr. Pickrell came of one of the early pioneer 
families of this section of the country and was born 
here February 19. 1832. His father Jesse A. Pick- 



rell was born in Montgomery Count}', Ky., June 
13, 18O.0, and was married in Mechanicsburg, this 
county December 18. 1828 to Elizabeth Churchill, 
who was born September 11, 1811. Our subject 
was reared on a farm and was early noted for his 
good sense and thoughtful w.ays. He was well 
educated, attending in early life the public schools, 
and later becoming a student at Eureka College, 
where he spent a year in profitable study. He after- 
ward made an overland trip to California. He 
returned in season to take part in the war and on 
the second call for volunteers assisted in raising 
troops, but as the regiment was full he was not 
accepted. He then went to Missouri and joined 
the Eleventh Missouri Infanti'3' and ere long rose 
to the position of Quartermaster with the rank of 
Captain. While holding that office he showed the 
same integrity and patriotism that were his char- 
acteristics in after years, and he did noble service 
in the array. 

Mr. Pickrell was honorablj- discharged from his 
regiment, and returning to this county, resumed 
farming and stock-raising in which business he took 
great delight. His father dying he succeeded to 
the Pickrell homestead, which is one of the beauti- 
ful and solid homes in a region noted for fine resi- 
j deuces. It is very pleasantly located facing north 
on the Wabash Railroad and surrounded by trees 
and flowers, externally; within it is an exponent of 
wealth and culture. 

Mr. Pickrell was married to Miss Emma II. Winn 
December 27, 1864. Mrs. Pickrell is a daughter of 
Dr. Charles L. and Nancy Winn and was born 
December 29, 1842. She is a lady of refinement 
and culture, and was given the advantages (jf 
su|ierior education, graduating from the Female 
College at Jacksonville, III., and being afterward 
emploj'ed as a teacher of mathematics in that 
institution of learning. Since her husband's death 
she has taken up his work and is highly successful 
along the lines laid down by him. She is the mother 
of four children, three daughters and one son, all 
of whom are at home, and these children she is 
rearing with the admirable tact of a sensible, cour- 
ageous woman. 

Mr. Pickrell w.as a man of fine personality, of 
massive buihl, rather below the medium height. 



640 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



with a grand nigged head and shoulders. He v/as 
of an affable, genial dis()Osilion and once his friend 
alwaj-s his friend. He has left to his family the 
priceless legacy of an untarnished name and a good 
example of honesty an<l indnslry. He possessed 
sensible views on all subjects of general interest 
and in his i)olitical sentiments was a Re|)ublican. 



^AMES L. TAYLOR, M. D. Throughout 
the entire country there is a degree of re- 
spect and almost veneration felt for learned 
and successful physicians, wiio by the exer- 
cise of their magic power restore the sick to health, 
comfort the distressed, and generally contril)ute to 
the haiipiness of their patients. Our subject is a 
prominent physician of Chatliani Township, is 
much beloved by his numerous patients and is con- 
ceded to possess great sliill in the art of healing. 
He is the son of Isaac and Sarah JNI. (Elliott) Tay- 
lor and was born in Sangamon County on the 7tl) 
of February. 1853. 

The early youth of Dr. Taylor was passed on a 
farm, and while there he received a district scliool 
education, which was by no means compreliensivc, 
and poorly adapted to making his brilliant future. 
However, it is a generally recognized fact that tal- 
ent will assert itself and though the surrounding 
circumstances are not pleasant or instructive, still a 
brilliant mind cannot help but reach out after 
knowledge and Ijy constant study master what they 
crave. Thus it was witli our subject. At the age 
of nineteen he commenced reading medicine with 
his brother, Dr. I. H. Taylor, at Curran. He taught 
school through the winter months and studied his 
chosen profession during the vacation. This he 
continued tliree terms, and in tlie winter of 1875- 
76, he attended lectures at Rush JMedical College 
in Chicago. After that he returned to his broth.er 
and read medicine with him ver^- diligentlj% and 
again returned to the college from which lie was 
graduated in Februar3% 1877, receiving a diploma 
as M. D. in the same month and 3ear. 

Dr. Taj'lor on the 16tli of March, 1877, locatad 
at La Place, Piatt County, III., and remained there 



until the following September, at which time he 
purchased the practice of Dr. Lowdermilk of Oak- 
ley, Macon County. He was married in La Place, 
November 9, 1877, to Miss Ada Trobaugh, daugh- 
ter of Alexander Trobaugh. After his marriage 
he continued to practice in Oakley until November 
ulh of tlie following year, at which time he sus- 
tained the sad loss of his wife, and removed to Fall 
River, Kan., where he remained until Norember, 
1881. 

Onr subject was married July 20, 1881, to Miss 
Amanda Richards, daughter of Thomas J. Richards. 
Her fatlier was a native of Indiana, but at the time 
of her marriage resided in Kansas. To this union 
has been born one child, Charles Roscoe. whose 
birth occurred July 29, 1882. 

The subject of our sketch returned to Illinois in 
1881, locating in Buffalo and for three years prac- 
ticed there, at the expiration of which time he 
moved to Chatham, where he still continues to re- 
side and where he has a large and lucrative pi'ac- 
tice. His father, Isaac Taylor, was born in Hart 
County, Ky., February 9, 1807, and removed to the 
State of Illinois in 1819, settling near Springfield. 
To his marriage with our subject's mother were 
born thirteen children, ten of whom are now liv- 
ing. Our subject and his wife are faithful members 
of the Baptist Church, and the Doctor is a member 
of Chatham Lodge, No. 523, A. F. & A. M. He 
is a member of the Democratic party and a most 
pablic-s[)irited gentleman. 



ANIEL 0. JONES. This county is so well 
supplied with comfortable and even beau- 
tiful farm houses and the accompanying 
conveniences of buildings, orchards, etc., 
that it would be no easy task to discriminate be- 
tween them. All will agree, however, that the 
home farm of Daniel Jones is one where evidences 
of comfort and prosperity are plainly manifest. 
The owner is indeed a man of wealth, iiolding a 
large amount of land in Cotton Hill Township, and 
other property.' His home farm is adorned by a 
first-class set of buildings and is furnished with all 




PORTRAIT AND BIOCxRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



641 



the modern mac-liinery and good stock which helit 
sucli an estate. 

Mr. Jones was born in Bath County, K}., Novem- 
ber 15, 1822, and is the fourth in n famil_v of three 
sons and three daugliiers. AViien he was about 
three years old his parents, Andrew and Eleanor 
(Goodan) Jones, came to this county and estab- 
lished their home in Rochester Townsliip. There 
the fatlier died in 1854 and tlie mother in 1860. 
Mr. Jones was born in Virginia and Mrs. Jones in 
Pennsylvania. Our subject pursued his studies in 
the common schools, which were held but a few 
months each j-ear and flid not embrace the extended 
curriculum now taught. He was, however, able to 
acquire a practical knowledge of the important 
brandies and fit liis mind for the reception of 
additional truth as his oltscrvation and experience 
extended. 

Mr. Jones won for his wife Miss Amanda J. 
Brunk, vvhom lie led to tlie hymeneal altar in Cotton 
Hill Township, November 13, 1849. The bride 
was born in this count3' April 7, 18.'30. She proved 
an efficient helpmate, aiding Ijy her good judgment 
in houseliold affairs, in tlie upbuilding of the for- 
tunes of the family, and by lier careful guidance 
placing her children in the patli to usefulness. Her 
first-born, Laura, a student in Springfield, was cut 
down by the reaper. Death, in the morning of life, 
before she had reached her eighteenth year. Tlie 
younger child, George A., is farming successfully 
in Colorado. Mrs. Amanda Jones died in Septem- 
ber. 1865, her dying hours cheered by the comforts 
of religion, she being a consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The lady who now presides over the home of 
our subject was born in Curran Township and bore 
the maiden name of Mary F. Rickard. This union 
has been blest by the birth of two children, Mary 
R. and Helen. The wife and mother is a worthy 
woman, carefully looking after the ways of her 
household, hospitably entertaining all wlio enter 
her doors, and bearing a part in the good works 
promulgated in the neighborhood. She and her 
husband belong to the Metliodist Episcopal Church. 

When Mr. Jones first married he set up his 
houseliold in Rochester Townsliip, but after living 
there four years removed to section 30, Cotton 




Hill Township, wiiere he has been permanently lo- 
cated since 1855. He now owns nearly nine hun- 
dred acres of choice land, and as he has always 
been engaged in farming, has proved how much 
can be accomplished by one who understands tilling 
the soil. He 1ms filled various school offices and 
been Township Supervisor one term. Politically, 
he is identified with the Republican party. Per- 
sonally he is a man of pleasant, cordial manners, 
well able to express himself regarding various 
topics of interest, and his social powers, together 
with his excellent character, win for him the 
respect and friendship of those who make his 
acquaintance. 



-€0-^^y>' 



i!W,^'*^fi L- HAMMER, who is engaged in gen- 
ii eral farming on section 36, Rochester Town- 
ship, was born near Taylorville, 111., August 
27, 1855, gracing the union of Addison 
W. and Rebecca (Langley) Hammer, both of whom 
were natives of Kentucky. AVith their respective 
families they removed to Christian County, 111., in 
childhood, and were married in Taylorville, where 
for some twenty years they resided. The mother 
died in that place in 1865, but Mr. Hammer is now 
living in Cooper Township, this county. Until the 
age of twenty years Hugh Hammer made his home 
in Taylorville, and in the public schools acquired a 
good English education, thereby being fitted for the 
practical duties of life. He was married in Downs, 
McLean County, December 23, 1877, to Miss Sarah 
E. Brown, a native of that place, born October 23, 
1860. Her father was killed during the late war 
while in service in Texas and her mother died 
before the close of that struggle. Four children 
were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hammer, two sons 
and two daughters: Myrtle C, Jesse W., Glenna 
A. and Frederick A. The mother of this family 
departed this life March II, 1890, and her death 
was sincerely mourned by many friends, as well as 
her immediate family. 

The first year succeeding his marriage Mr. Ham- 
mer spent in his native town and then removed to 



642 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Ellis County, Kan., where lie followed farming for 
two years. On account of sickness he was obliged 
to return to Illinois, and located in Christian 
County, where lie made his home until the autumn 
of 1882, which year witnessed his removal to this 
county. In Berry he embarked in the mercantile 
business, which he followed for a year, when he 
again resumed agricultural pursuits, trading his 
store and stock for his farm of one hundred acres 
on seel ion 36, Rochester Township, where he 
now resides. He also operates a forty-acre tract 
in Cooper Township and gives his time and atten- 
tion to general farming. Thorouglil3^ understand- 
ing the details of the business, he h succeeding 
and is numbered among the well-to-do citizens 
of the community. In politics he is a supporter 
of Republican principles, and as every true Amer- 
ican citizen should do, feels an interest in political 
affairs, but has never sought or desired the honors 
or emoluments of public office. However, while 
residing in Christian County he served as Deputy 
Sheriff for four years. He is a wcU-iiifonned man 
and a valued citizen. 






>BED LEWIS. Few residents of Springfield, 
ideed of the county, will need to be told 
lis name is held by an old citizen and 
one who for long j'ears has been closely identified 
with the business and municipal interests of the 
city. Although quite advanced in years Mr. Lewis 
lias not lost his interest in the affairs of the place, 
but still retains his connection with various corpo- 
rations by which good work is being done in im- 
proving the condition of the inhabitants of the 
Capital City. 

Mr. Lewis was born in Oaligerville, Chester 
County, Pa., April 25, 1812, and is a son of Will- 
iam and Margaret (Cunningham) Lewis, both na- 
tives of the same county. The Lewis family is of 
Welsh extraction and was represented in Chester 
Valley from 1G32, a period antedating the Revolu- 
tion. The old homestead in which William Lewis 
was born in 177a, is still standing. He became a 
farmer and tried life in Western Pennsylvania a 



j'ear or two, but soon returned to his old home 
where he remained until death overtook him. He 
breathed his last in 182.j, and was followed 
through the valley of the shadow by his wife in 
1842. 

After the death of his father Obed Lewis became 
an inmate of his uncle's home. At the age of six- 
teen he was apprenticed to a carriage-maker, 
beginning his work at New Ilnlland, Lancaster 
County, but completed the trade in Philadelphia. 
He then worked as a journeyman in Philadelphia, 
in Camden and Wilmington, Del., and in Danville, 
\i\. He returned to his native State in 183.5, and 
carried on his business in Philadelphia and Lancas- 
ter until May, 1838, when he came to Springfield, 
111. Here he worked for Mr. Ilenkle a year, after 
wliicli, in company with Henry Van Huff, he 
bought out his employer. From that time until 
1868 Mr. Lewis was actively engaged in the manu- 
facture of carriages and wagons. 

During the year last mentioned Mr. Lewis re- 
tired from the business which he had so long and 
faitlifully prosecuted. He has built many houses 
in Springfield and added to the prosperity and 
comfort of the people by the circulation of his 
means in so doing. For eight years he was Treas- 
urer of the water-works and for twenty-three 
years was a member of the Board of Oak Ridge 
Cemetery. He is a stockholder in the Springfield 
Marine Bank and for a number of years has held 
the position of Vice-President. 

Our subject has not been without his share in the 
public oflices, having been elected Alderman in 
1862, serving in that capacity eight years. During 
the years 1874-75, he filled the Mayor's chair. As 
a member of the Council and the incumbent of the 
Mayoralty, he was conspicuous for his position re- 
garding public improvements, and as a private cit- 
izen he is well known to favor progress and 
development. Mr. Lewis belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity, and having cast bis first vote for Andrew 
.Jackson, is generally found depositing a Demo- 
cratic ballot. 

September 23, 1851, Mr. Lewis was united in 
marriage with Cordelia M. lies. The family to 
which this lad3' belonged is numbered among the 
early settlers in the county and Mrs. Lewis was one 



.^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



64S 



of the "Snow Birds" who were here during the 
deep snow of 1830-31. She received her education 
in the schools of Springfield and developed the 
graces of Christian womanhood, becoming a mem- 
ber of the First Presbyterian Cliurch. After nobly 
discharging the duties of wife and mother for 
forty years, Mrs. Lewis breathed her last on the '24lh 
of December, 1889. Three children bless the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. Tiie youngest, Mary, is 
her father's housekeeper and companion; the eldest, 
William T., is engaged in banking; and Kate is the 
wife of R. F. Ilerndon, a merchant of Springfield. 






~a!^^" 




'^l CLAY WILSON. Among the prominent 

attorneys of Springfield an enviable posi- 
tion is held by the gentleman whose name 
introduces this sketch and whose portrait is 
presented on the opposite page. He is now only 
in the prime of life and has before him the prospect 
of an extended and useful career in his chosen pro- 
fession. The senior member of the firm of Wilson 
& Crowder, he is well known throughout Sangamon 
County as a member of the legal fraternit3' upon 
whose. knowledge thorough reliance may be placed. 
Coming of substantial ancestry-, the gentleman 
of whom we write was born in Daviess County, Ky., 
July 2, 1856, and is one of four children born to 
.John J. and Mary A. (Meeks) Wilson, the former 
a native of Grayson County, Ky., and the latter of 
Spencer County, Ind. John J. Wilson has fol- 
lowed various ])ursuits, having engaged in milling, 
farming and boating. From the age of eighteen 
years until fiftj'-eight years old he followed the 
river, and while a young man was engaged as a 
pilot on steamboats. He was serving in that capac- 
ity on a Government boat at the time of the famous 
opening of the Red River raft above Shreveport, 
La. lie also became interested in the shipment of 
|)roduce by flatboats down the Ohio and Missis- 
fii[)pi Rivers and made eighty-one trips to New 
Orleans with his own goods. 

Hy devoting himself carefully and untiringly to 
tlie various vocations in which he engaged, John J. 
Wilson acquired a competence, which unfortunately, 



he lost during great floods on the Ohio River and 
was compelled to surrender the earnings of a life- 
time in order to pay his obligations. He now re- 
sides in Rice County, Kan., on a farm, whither he 
removed in 1879 and where he will probably spend 
his remaining days. In the olden time he was a 
stanch supporter of Whig principles and was a 
warm personal friend of Henry Clay, for whom 
our subject was named. The death of Mrs. Wil- 
son occurred about 1861 before the removal of the 
family from Indiana. The record of the four chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson is as follows: 
Benjamin Franklin, a resident farmer of Gentry 
County, Mo.; H. Clay, of this sketch; Minnie E., 
wife of B. E. Lawrence, of Gentry County, Mo.; 
and David M., who is a resident of Schuyler Countj', 
this State. 

H. Clay Wilson, whose name heads this sketch, 
was reared to manhood in Enterprise, Ind., working 
on a farm where he remaineil until twenty-one 
years of age. He received liberal educational ad- 
vantages, his primary course being supplemented 
by an attendance at the Central Normal College of 
Danville, Ind., from which institution he was grad- 
uated in 1881. Immediately thereafter he came to 
Springfield, 111., and taught school in Sangamon 
County for seven j'ears. In the meantime he en- 
tered tlie law office of Clinton L. Conkling, under 
whose direction he fitted himself for the practice of 
the legal profession. He was admitted to the bar 
in November, 1887, and the following May he 
opened an office in this city. Previous to this time 
he had engaged in teaching school, but on his ad- 
mission to the bar, he brought his whole energies 
to bear upon his new work and as the result of his 
unceasing activity, skill and ability he has alre.ady 
won an honored place among his professional breth- 
ren. He is associated in business with J. J. Crow- 
der and the firm of Wilson & Crowder is accounted 
one of the leading law firms of the Capital Citj'. 

Mr. Wilson was married on the 7th of August, 
1888, at Carlinville, 111., to Miss Theresa Tyson. 
Their union has been blessed witli a little son, 
Henry Clay Jr., who is the light of the home and 
the joj' of his parents. The friends of Mr. and 
Mrs. Wilson are many, for in social life as well as 
in business circles, our subject is held in high re- 



646 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



gard and his wife sliares in the esteem given him. 
Politically he is a Republican and a most faithful 
and earnest supporter of that party, doing all in 
ills jiower to advance its interests and insure its 
success. He is a member of the Count}' Central 
Committee and in 1890 his name was placed upon 
the Republican ticket as a candidate for the office 
of County Judge. .Socially, he is a member of the 
Masonic fraternitj', the Elks, the Knights of Py- 
thias, the F. M. C. and tiie Modern Woodmen of 
America. 



\f AMES H. RALSTON, a native of this county, 
and son of one of its early pioneers, is sucess- 
fully pursuing the business of fruit raising 
' in Gardner Township, his birthplace, where 
he owns a finely -improved farm. lie is a son of 
William Ralston, a native of Tennessee. His grand- 
father, Thomas Ralston, was also born in that State 
and was there a farmer. He took part in the War 
of 1812 and subsequently removed to Ken tuck}' 
wliere he engaged in farming in Bourbon County 
until he died. 

The father of our subject became a farmer near 
Lexington. In 1828 he sold his possessions in Ken- 
tucky and coming to Illinois with his wife and one 
child he settled in the wilds of Gardner Town- 
ship and was one of its earliest pioneers. He bought 
a part of the place now owned and occupied by his 
son, of whom we write, and immediately put up a 
log house, which he built without a nail or a bit of 
iron. He engaged actively in the improvement of 
his place, preparing the land for cultivation, and 
he harl the first scouring plow on the creek. 
He became the owner of two hundred acres of 
land. At the time of his death in the year 
1851 one of the good pioneers of the county 
passed away while yet in the midst of his use- 
fulness. His wife survived biui many years dy- 
ing in 1877 at the home of our subject. She was 
a true Christian and a member of the Baptist 
Church. She was born in Bourbon County, Ky., 
and vTas a daughter of Thomas M.assey, her given 



name having been Frances. Her father was also a 
native of Kentucky and was a soldier in tiie War 
of 1812. He was a blacksmith and coming to Illi- 
nois in the early years of its settlement located in 
Curran Township where he died. He was of Ger- 
man antecedents. The following is recorded of 
the eight children of the parents of our subject: 
Martlia died at the age of three years; Mary, Mrs. 
Hessey, in 1870; Emily, Mrs. Brown, in 1885; 
Thomas W. and John Henry died at home; Nancy 
is now Mrs. Taylor of Springfield; J. H. is our sub- 
ject; Charles S., died at home; nearly all of the 
children d3-ing of consumption. 

The gentleman of whom these notes are written 
was born in Gardner Township August 27, 1840, 
and passed the early 3'ears of his life here until he 
was twenty-one years old, receiving a limited edu- 
cation in the subscription schools. His brothers 
were sickly so he had to go to work early to assist 
in managing the farm. He had to engage in the 
hard pioneer labors of grubbing and of break- 
ing the sod, and when still a small boy engaged 
in driving oxen. When he attained his majority 
he determined to go to the mountains for his health 
and in 1861, with a partner, (his cousin. Dr. Ral- 
ston) drove a four-mule team to Washington Terri- 
tory. He engaged in mining there to some ex- 
tent and then went to Oregon, and after a little 
while to Boise City, Idaho, where he mined for one 
year. At the expiration of that time he started out 
on a pros[)ecting tour, and when he arrived at Salt 
Lake Cit}' had only $30 in money and three horses. 
The first night of his stay there, the Mormons stole 
his horses and he had to remain where lie was. 
He worked at the cabinet and carpenter trade un- 
til the spring and then sought the mineral regions 
of Nevada where he mined and teamed. 

AVhile there Mr. Ralston and his partner were 
attacked by five Indians on a ranch. The latter be- 
ing a large stout man, took two of their foes and 
mashed their heads together so that their brains 
came out. An Indian drew an arrow on our subject, 
who quickly cut the string and in retaliation shot at 
the dusky savage. He missed him, however, and at 
the same time two friends came and shot two of the 
Indians. Mr. Ralston shot at his man again, but as he 
wag some distance awa}' he only took off his arm with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



647 



his Winchester. He mounted and chased the red- 
skin two miles in the mountains, but tliat swift run- 
ner managed to outrun his horse. Mr. Ralston saw 
that Indian two }ears afterward among a party of 
seventy-five Indians and as soon as his one-armed 
foe saw our subject he broke away from the crowd 
and vanished as swiftly as his feet could carry him. 
Mr. Ralston and his partner were in a dangerous 
situation, but they got to one side by parleying and 
trying to treat with tbe Indians, and then mounted 
their horses and started off. The3' were pursued 
for miles and when our subject had gone about 
ten miles his horse's shoe came off, the horse hav- 
ing a hoof cracked, but as Jlr. Ralston liappened to 
have a few nails he nailed the shoe on by the use of 
a rock. 

AVliile teaming between Utah and Nevada, Mr. 
Ralston had to cross a desert of fort^' miles. Ones 
his mules took to their hee's and ran away and it was 
in vain that he started in pursuit, as it was like 
chasing a whirlwind. He ran until he was out of 
breath and overlieated. He was then about in the 
center of the desert and he was twenty-four hours 
trying to make his way across, as his feet became 
blistered and he was almost overcome by heat and 
thirst. He finally arrived at the spring, Fie Rock, 
and he laid there for three da3-s until a former 
l)arLner brought his mules b.ack to him. 

Mr. Ralston traveled four years and did well 
financially. At the expiration of that time he 
wended his way to Wyoming and there made §7,000 
or 88,000 as the owner of a mine, but that gave 
out all of a sudden. He still worked at it, however, 
thinking he could strike the vein again, and con- 
tinued until he had lost all he had previously made. 
He l>ad to borrow money to get to Nevada, where 
lie sold his mine for $1,600 and then retraced his 
footsteps homeward, returning by rail in 1871. 
During his ten years absence he had had a wide 
experience as a frontiersman and miner and had re- 
gained his health so that he weighed one hundred 
and eightj' pounds when he again showed himself 
among his old friends. He bought tbe old home 
place and located on it. It comprises one hundred 
and sixty acres all finely improved with two sets of 
buildings. He engaged in general farming until 
1885, when he rented most of his land and turned 



his attention to fruit raising, setting out an orchard 
and small fruits, comprising about six acres of 
choice varieties of all kinds. 

]Mr. Ralston was manied in his native township 
in 1875 to Maria Ingels. Mrs. Ralston was born 
in Island Grove Township, and is a daughter of 
John Ingels, who was born near Lexington, Ky., 
September 2, 1819. His father, Thomas Ingels, 
was born in Culi)eper County. Va., and H'as a son 
of James Ingels, a native of Germany who settled 
in Pennsylvania when a young man and served in 
the Revolution. He became a pioneer of Ken- 
tucky, migrating hither with the Daniel Boone 
colon}'. Tbe grandfather was a carpenter by trade 
and fought in the War of 1812. He was a pioneer 
of Illinois coming herein 1830, with an ox-team 
and wagon and with a one-horse team, accompanied 
b}' his wife and ten children. He carried on car- 
pentering in Jacksonville .and in Mt. Sterling, and 
then removed to Gentry Count}', Mo., where he 
lived with some of his children until his death. His 
wife was Judith Holey, a native of Virginia and a 
daughter of Randolph Holey, also of that State 
and an early settler in Kentucky. He served seven 
years and three months in the Revolution under 
Washington with whom he was a favorite. He died 
in Lafayette County, Ky. 

Mrs. Ralston's father was ten years old when 
the family removed to Russell's Cave, and he 
was fourteen j-ears old when he went to Schuy- 
ler County, this State, where he worked on 
his father's farm. He then went back to Jack- 
sonville, and was on a farm there until 1842 
when he came to .Sangamon Comity and worked on 
a farm two years. He w.as married in Curran Town- 
ship, March 14, 1843, to Elizabeth King, a daugh- 
ter of John King, who was born in Greene County, 
Ohio, near Xenia. He was orphaned when a child 
and had his own way to make in the world. He 
came to this county early and entered land in Cur- 
ran Township, where he resided until his death. His 
wife was Sai-ah Ernest, who was born in Kentucky in 
180G, and came to St. Clair County with her father 
Jacob Ernest in 1815. The next year he and his 
family settled in Curran Township, and were the 
first white people that located there among the In- 
dians. They squatted, and lived as best they 



648 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL Al iUM. 



could. They had to go to Edwardsville to mill, or 
grind iheir corn by Ijcaliiig it in a hollowed-out 
stump for a moitar witii a spring board pestle. 
They lived on lioney, venison, turkeys and wild 
hogs. Jacob Ernest, who was a native of Virginia, 
and moved thence to Kentucky, and thence to Illi- 
nois, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He finally 
settled in Warsaw, Iowa, where he died. His wife 
Sarah Ernest, died on the old homestead in Cur- 
ran. They belonged to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Elizabeth King was born in Curran 
Township, February 1, 1828, and was reared and 
educated there. 

After marriage Mr. Ingels bought a farm in New 
Beilin Township, comprising two hundVed and 
twenty acres of land which he improved. He sold 
it in 1875 and removed to Cartwright Township, 
where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of 
improved land which he farmed until 1882. In 
that \'ear he took up his residence in Cass County, 
buying a place near Ashland. In 1884 he sold that 
farm and came to our subject's place where he has 
since resided, one of his sons renting the farm. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ingels have ten children, of whom 
the following eight grew to maturity: J. T., a far- 
mer in Berlin Township; Charles K., a farmer in 
Curran Township; Maria A.; Sophia, (Mrs. Bates) 
who died in Cass County; Johanna who died in 
Gardner Township; AVilliam at home; James, a 
farmer in Gardner Township, and Elizabeth, Mrs. 
Scott of Berlin Township. Mr. and Mrs. Ingels 
are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Ralston 
has been Township School Director and Trustee 
and is a strong Democrat in his political views. 




AMUEL GARRETSON is a representative 
of one of tiie early families of the county 
and is a leading farmer of Rochester Town- 
ship residing on section 2. He was born 
in what is now Howard Countj', Md., on Decem- 
ber 4, 1823, and is a son of Samuel and Ann 
(Pierce) Garretson. His father, a native of York 
County, Pa., was born about 1786, and his mother 
was a native of Chester County, ^Pa. Their 



marriage was celebrated in the former county, 
whence they removed to Howard County, Md., in 
the spring of 1829. They were the parents of 
eleven children, o" whom our subject was ninth in 
order of birth ar.d when he was a lad of five years 
his mother died. His father aftervTard again mar- 
ried and in the spring of 1839 emigrated to Sanga- 
mon County, 111., locating in the northeastern part 
of Rochester Township, where he followed farming 
until his death, which occurred May 1, 1847. 

Samuel Garretson, whose name heads this sketch, 
passed his early boyhood days in his native county 
and there attended school until his sixteenth year, 
wlien he accompanied his fatlier and stepmother to 
Illinois. He has passed almost his entire life since 
that time upon the old homestead farm in Roches- 
ter Township and the place is dear to him for its 
many pleasant associations of both his youth and 
manhood. Having at length attained to mature 
years he chose as a companion on life's journey 
Miss Amelia J. Dickerson, the marriage being cele- 
brated at her home in Rochester Township on the 
9lii of November, 1848. The lady was born in 
Bourbon County, Ky., February 25, 1829. Her 
father, Samuel Dickerson, also a native of Ken- 
tucky, vvas a soldier in the War of 1812, was taken 
prisoner at the battle of the River Raisin and suf- 
fered untold hardships. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Susanna Kane, was born in Tennessee. In 
1831 the}' came to Sangamon County. 111., and 
located Qve miles southeast of Mechanicsburg, wliere 
thej- S|)ent the remainder of their lives, the fatlier 
dying at the age of sixt}'-two years, aiul his wife in 
the sixtj'fourth year of her age. 

Mrs. Garretson is the youngest of their six chil- 
dren and by her marriage she has six children: 
James T., who died at the age of twelve years; 
Susan Ann; Charles, a resident farmer of Rochester 
Township; Frank, also engaged in farming in that 
township; Minerva, wife of Norris Lobdill; and 
Harriet, who died at the age of six months. 

Mr. Garretson owns three hundred and seventeen 
acres of land situated in C'ear Lake and Rochester 
Townships. He has madi many impiovements 
upon his farm and the well-tilled fields yield to him 
a golden tribute for his care and cultivation. He 
possesses good business ability, is energetic and 



H^ 




JOHN SMITH. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



651 



enterprising and ranks among the valued citizens 
of the fomniiinily. Botli lie and his wife are earnest 
Christian people. At the age of eighteen he united 
with tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, and when 
sixteen years of age she became a member of the 
Christian Church. 

\Y' OHN SMITH, one of the good farmers of 
AVoodside 'I'ownship, owns and occupies a 
fertile tract of land wheieon a sulficient 
number of well-cunstructed buildings may 
be found, such as are necessary and convenient in 
carrying on the work of the estate. The farm 
consists of two hundred and fifty-eight acres of 
the fine land so conspicuous in Central Illinois, 
and has been so well developed by the use of 
approved methods of cultivation and fertilization 
that it stands above par in productiveness. A 
part of this estate was purchased by Mr. Smith 
in 1853, and for some fifty years he h.as been 
closely connected with the agricultural growth of 
the county. 

Our subject is a son of John and Maria (Stoler) 
Smith, the former a native of Lancaster County, 
Pa., and the latter of Germany. The father died 
in Ohio and the mother in Pennsylvania. The son 
of whom we write was born in (^uincy Township, 
Franklin Countj', Pa., March 7, 1814, and there 
grew to manhood, gaining such knowledge as could 
be secured in the schools of the neighborhood and 
in bearing the part his j'outhful strength allowed in 
the labors going on aliont him. He continued in 
the Keystone State until 1840 when he turned his 
footsteps in the direction of the setting sun and in 
September reached this county. Here he remained, 
finding employment by the month as a farm hand 
and continuing to work as such until he bought 
his first piece of land here. 

Mr. Smith secured one hundred and fifty-seven 
acres on section 12, Woodside Township, and set 
earnestly to work to improve and thoroughly till 
it. In due course of time he was able to add to 
the acreage, until, having sufficient to ensure him 
against want, he became less anxious to get land 



than to bring that he had^'to thejj^bighesi possible 
development. Mr. Smith is a quiet, unassuming 
man, who takes his chief enjoyment in the domestic 
circle and the society of a few choice friends, and 
cares nothing for the tumults and excitements of 
public life. He votes^the Republican ticket with 
unfailing regularity when election day comes round 
but otherwise is not a politician. 

Our subject has been twice married. The first 
helpmate that he won was Salome Snider, who was 
born in Lancaster County, Pa., but w.as living in 
this count}' at the time of their marri.ige. She 
was removed b}' the hand of death November 25, 
1888, and Mr. Smith subsequently led to the 
hymeneal altar Katie Stabler, the marriage rites 
being solemnized March 12, 1889. The present 
Mrs. Smith was born in Germany October 2G, 18G6, 
and came to America when but fifteen years old. 
Her parents, William .and Julia A. Stabler, came 
across the briny dee[) in 1885 and now reside in 
Woodside Township. 

A lithographic portrait of Mr. Smith accompanies 
this sketch. 



Nip^.ICHOLAS P0WI:RS. This gentleman is 
I j) engaged in the sale of general merchandise 
/l\,i^ and in grain dealing in the town of Curran, 
and is the oldest business man in that tiiriving 
pLace. He was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, 
not far from the city of Waterford, about 1825. 
His parents, William and Fanny (Gorman) Powers, 
were natives of the same county and were mem- 
bers of the agricultural communit}-. Tliey came 
to America with our .subject and both died in St. 
Louis, the father about three months after their 
arrival. 

Our subject w.as reared in his native land and 
educated in the city of Waterford. He remained 
with his parents as he grew to manhood and finall}' 
took charge of the home farm, which was located 
but six miles from the sea. Having carefully 
studied the situation he could see no prospect of 
advancement, and determined to seek a home in 
the land where opiwrtunilies were greater and 
prospects were brighter. In 1849 he brought his 



652 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



parents with him to America, sailing from Liver- 
ipool on " The Haidee, of New Haven," and landed 
at New Orleans after a vo.yage of eight weeks. 
Thence they came up the Mississippi to St. Louis, 
Mo., where they made their home. Our subject 
worked at various occupations, such as farm labor, 
and boating on the Mississipiii. 

In 1853 Mr. Powers traveled on foot to Shelby- 
vilk'. 111., following the telegraph poles, as there 
was snow on the ground and roads were not to be 
seen. He found employment at sawmilling, hel])- 
ing to build the first mill in the place. In the 
spring of 1854 became to Springfield, traveling on 
foot as before. During the ensuing two years he 
was employed on a farm near Rochester, after 
which he went to Berlin and worked for the Great 
Western Railroad. He lived in that place three 
years, then removed to Macon County and carried 
on a farm three years. In 1865 he came to 
Curran in the employ of the railroad, but after 
a time became weigh-master for the Wabash 
Railroad at the coal shaft in Neelyville, Morgan 
County. 

After two years spent thus Mr. Powers returned 
to Curran where he has since remained. On his 
return here he built the store which he still occupies, 
put in a stock of general iperchandise and began 
to work up a business which has been fairly suc- 
cessful. The second year he began buying grain 
and subsequently purchased the elevator. He 
averages from one hundred to two hundred and 
fifty carloads of grain per year and is doing as 
well as could reasonably be expected in this line of 
labor. The goods with which his store is stocked 
are well selected, arranged in such a manner as to 
catch the eye of a visitor to the establishment, and 
sold at prices with which no fault can be found by 
those who are willing to live and let live. 

At the bride's home in Springfield, in April, 
1861, Mr. Powers was united in marriage with 
Miss Bessie O'Brien who, after a short but happy 
wedded life, was smitten by the death angel in 
1865. She was born in County Cork, Ireland, and 
came to America with her parents, who settled in 
the county-seat. Two children came to bless the 
union. The first-born, James, a young gentleman 
of intelligence, business tact and cordial manners, 



is now assisting his father in the store. He attended 
St. Mary's school at vSpringflcld, and from 1885 to 
1889 held the position of mail agent on the 
Wabash Railroad between LaFayette, Ind., and 
(Juincy, 111. He is married, his wife having 
formerlj' been Miss Mary Brennan, who w.as born 
in Alton. He is a member of the Modern Wood- 
men of America, at Curran. The second child, 
Maggie, was also educated in St. Mary's school, 
Springfield. She became the wife of Hugh Mc- 
Rolierts, a merchant at Curran, and Assistant Post- 
master. 

Mr. Powers, of whom we write held the olBce of 
Township Clerk two years and discharged the 
duties of the office in a creditable manner. He 
holds the appointment of Postmaster, and in this 
position, as in his capacity as a dealer, he has 
become known to a large circle of acquaintances 
and attained a prominent place among them. He 
is a believer in the principles laid down in the 
Democratic platform and never fails to exercise the 
riglit of suffrage in their support. His religious 
faith is that expressed by the tenets and ceremonies 
of the Catholic Church. 



.r,.'.&..*..i 



"jfj OHN S. HIGHMORE, who resifles in Roch- 
ester but follows farming and breeding of 
^^1 Short-horn cattle, was born in England, 
l^g/ September 22, 1824, and is a son of Rich- 
ard and Elizabeth (Sherring) Highmore, who were 
also natives of Somersetshire, England, where they 
spent their entire lives. The days of his boyhood 
and youth our subject passed in the land of his 
nativity and at the age of twenty-four years, with 
a desire to seek his fortune in the new world, 
boarded an American bound vessel. In the month 
of August, 1849, he set foot upon American soil, 
landed in New York, whence he made his way 
to Paducah, IV3'., where he made a short visit. 
Illinois, however, was chosen as the scene of his 
future labors and near the city of Jacksonville, 
Morgan County, he secured employment as a farm 
hand, receiving $10 per month. This he followed 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



653 



for a few moiitlis and in the meantime loolieri 
about him for a favorable location. In March, 
1850, he purclia.scd a tract of land in Rochester 
Townshi^), .Sanframon County, and now bej^an life 
in earnest. 

Up to 1853 Mr. Iliglimore got along as best he 
could, but realizing that it was not good for man to 
be alone, on March 10, of that year he was 
united in marri.age with Miss Armiza T. Bolen, 
who was born in Sangamon County. They began 
their domestic life upon their farm east of the 
village of Rochester, but after about three and a 
half years Mrs. Highniore passed away. She died 
August 27, 185G, leaving two children — Laura, 
who is now tiie wife of John F. Miller; and 
Armiza, wife of Eldmund Miller. Mr. Highmore 
afterwards wedded Mary A. Cloyd, who was born 
on the 15tli of October, 1832, in this county, but 
death again entered the home, laying his cold hand 
upon the wife and mother September 9, 1872. Two 
children were born of that union — Eliza A., wife of 
S. A. Tobin, and Mary E. In March, 1873, Mr. 
Highmore was joined in wedlock with Mrs. Mary 
M. Price, and that marriage has been blessed with 
two sons — Richard O. and John B. 

Mr. Highmore has been a resident of this county 
since the spring of 1850. and has followed farming 
in pursuit of fortune during the fort}' years which 
have since elapsed. He has prospered in his under- 
takings and become the owner of a fine farm of 
three hundred and seventh-five acres in Rochester 
Township which he still manages, although in the 
spring of 1870 he removed to the village of 
Rochester. For the past eighteen years he has 
also given considerable attention to the breeding 
of Short-horn cattle, and the grade he is constant!}- 
improving. Among his fellow-townsmen he is 
held in high esteem and regarded as one of the 
leading citizens of the community. They have 
honored him with a number of local offices and 
the long period in which he has served in these 
various positions indicates that the trust and con- 
fidence reposed in him was not misplaced. For 
seventeen years he was Supervisor of Rochester 
Township, for ten years was its Treasurer, for some 
time filled the school offices and is now Treasurer of 
the village. In political sentiment he is a sup- 



porter of the Democracy and socially is a member 
of the Odd Fellows society, being Treasurer in 
Rochester Lodge. He still holds membership in 
the Church of England, with which he united in 
his native land. In the front rank of every 
public enterprise calculated to advance the general 
welfare we find Mr. Highmore, working for its 
interests and success. He is widely and favorably 
known and in the many years which have passed 
since he came to the county he has done nothing 
which could forfeit the high regard of his fellow- 
citizens. 



^ 



E^ 



\Tl OSEPH LEBER. It would be hard to find 
I in the city of Springfield a better repre- 
sentative of the thoroughly Americanized 
German than Joseph Leber. He was born 
in Baden, German}', September 26, 1818, and is 
the eldest of eight children comprising the family 
of Alexander and Anna (Luthy) Leber. His fa- 
ther was a blacksmith who brought his family to 
America in 1834, locating in St. Louis, Mo. There 
he followed his trade until 1840, when he went on a 
farm in the northern part of St. Louis County, and 
made it his permanent home. He died in 1806, 
about six months after his wife had breathed her 
last. 

Our subject began his schooling in the Father- 
land, but coming to America when quite young 
imbibed the American spirit of independence and 
love of liberty very thoroughl}'. He continued to 
advance in knowledge of various kinds and fit him- 
self for the battle of life. He remained with his 
parents until his marriage which occurred October 
25. 1845, his bride being Mai-garet Kessler. After 
his marriage he opened a blacksmith shop north of 
St. Louis, and operated it until 1849, when became 
to Springfield. Here he carried on the same busi- 
ness about three years, then went to California, 
leaving his family here. 

It was the intention of IMr. Leber to take his 
family to the Pacific Coast, but on his return to the 
States cliolera was raging on the Isthmus of Pan- 
ama and he feared to take them through the infected 



654 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



territory. He therefore found occupation here and 
for about twelve years worked in a railroad shop. 
He broke down his strength at patching rails and 
since tiien has not been able to follow any business 
regularly. For about eight j'ears he was engaged 
in the grocery business. Notwithstanding tlie ill- 
ness from which lie has suffered at various times, 
he is full of energy, industrious by nature and 
training, and prosperity has attended him. 

To Mr. Leber and his capable wife, seven children 
have come. Those now living are, Joseph A., a time- 
keeper at the rolling mills; Anna, who is still with 
her parents; Mary, wife of K. S. Chapin; Willie E., 
machinist in the Wabash Railroad shops. The 
deceased are John, who died June 2, 1887; Cliarles, 
died in San Francisco, Cal., May 27, 1887; Sophia, 
died INIay 5, 18.54. For many years Mr. Leber has 
cast his vote willi the Democrats. He is an excellent 
citizen, thoroughly reliable and law-abiding, and 
with his wife and family has many frienils. 



'OHN L. HESSER. The later years of the 
life of this respected citizen of Clear Lake 
Township have been spent in no unusual 
((^/y manner, but he was at one time the hero of 
experiences whose very telling stirs the blood 
of all who love their fellow-men. He gave sev- 
eral of the best 3'ears of his life to the service of 
his country during the trying d.ays of the Civil 
AVar, and having unfortunately fallen into the 
hands of the enemy, experienced life in various 
prisons. More fortunate than many of his com- 
rades, he survived the privations and horrors of 
months of captivity and was alile at last to return 
to his friends in the xsorth. 

Mr. Ilesser was born in Winchester, Va.. .ALarch 
16, 1835, and is a son of Samuel L. and Ann M. 
(Slagle) Ilesser, both of whom were likewise born 
in the Old Dominion. The parents came to Spring- 
field in June, 1836, and the father estalilished his 
home there. He was a carpenter and builder. After 
carrying on his business in Springfield until 1849, 
he removed to Mechanicsburg, and thence to Buf- 
falo Station in 1860. He breathed his last in 



October, 1871, when seventy-five years old. The 
mother of our subject is still living and has now 
reached the venerable age of eighty-eight 'years. 
Mr. Hesser was a member of the Christian Church. 
His family consisted of ten children, seven of whom 
are now living. 

Our subject attended the common schools dur- 
ing his boyhood, then spent two terms in study at 
Eureka College, Eureka. 111. When eighteen years 
old he engaged in the trade of carriage trimming 
.at Jacksonville, remaining there two years. The 
last year of his stay is remembered as the cholera 
year and the 3'oung man spent five weeks in car- 
ing for the sick and burying the dead. Sometimes 
he would be all alone in his kindly oHices. Follow- 
ing his residence in Jacksonville, Mr. Hesser was 
engageil in trading in Texas ponies and mules, 
going all over tlie State with the herds. He and a 
partner bought and disposed of one hundred and 
fift_y of the animals. In 1859 our subject began 
farming at the old homestead, continuing his agri- 
cultural labors and in connection therewith running 
a threshing machine until after the war began. 

August 7, 1862, Mr. Hesser enlisted in the Sev- 
enty-third Illinois Inf.autry, going as a Corporal 
and beuig promoted to the ofHce of First Sergeant 
of Company A, the following November. He 
soon became Orderl}' Sergeant and the following 
September was raised to the rank of a .Second 
Lieutenant, but was never mustered in on account 
of his capture. He first smcUed the smoke of bat- 
tle in a heavy skirmish at Bardstown, Ky., on the 
wa}' to Ferryville, in which terrible engagement he 
took part, October 8, 1862. Other heavj' engage- 
ments in which he participated were the five days' 
battle at Stone River and Chiekamauga. At the 
latter jilace he was taken prisoner at eleven o'clock 
Sunday morning, September 20, 1863. He was 
taken to Atlanta, Ga., but in a few days removed 
to Libby Prison where he remained three month?, 
then was removed to Danville, where he spent the 
winter. Following this he was immured in prison at 
Andersonville, Charleston and Florence, S. C, un- 
til eighteen months had elapsed, when he was 
finall}' paroled at Wilmington, N. C, February 
25, 1865. 

When Lieut. Hesser left Libby Prison seventy 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



655 



men were crowded into a ear which would carry 
but fifty hogs, and great suffering was endured on 
the trip to Danville. Wlien they arrived there it 
was very cold and the large tobacco warehouse in 
which the prisoners were placed contained but 
one stove and even this was soon taken down. 
The men were wet and chilled, and being poorly 
supplied with covering suffered greatly for many 
hours. Mr. Hesser traded half of his rations for a 
ninth part of a thin tent, which partly covered him- 
self and chum, John W. North, who is now de- 
ceased. Soon after Lieut. Hesser's confinement 
there, smallpox broke out and added to the horrors 
of the place. Those who died of the disease were 
frequently left in the building two dai's and nights, 
and so great were tlie needs of the living that they 
would tear the clothing off tiieir dead comrades to 
add a little warmth to their own bodies. 

Lieut. Ilesscr lay on tiie hard floor until his 
bones protruded through tiie skin and blood ran 
down his leg every morning. His pillow was 
formed of brickbats which he succeeded in cover- 
ing with fragments of clotli. Physicians were sent 
in to vaccinate the soldiers, and our subject came 
ver}' near losing his arm on account of the impure 
vaccine. The ^esh came off and the bone was ex- 
posed to view for some weeks. For some time tlie 
only fooil of the prisoners was cabbage stalks and 
leaves, which were brought in with ox-teams. 
Lieut. Hesser was made a Captain and kept the roll 
of names in the prison. When released from cap- 
tivity his weight was reduced to seventy-five 
pounds. He spent a few weeks in the hospital at 
Florence S. C. 

After his return to the North Lieut. Hesser set- 
tled down to farming buj'ing his present estate in 
November. 1865. It consists of eighty acres of 
good land from which he derives a comfortable 
support. It is intelligently and thriftily managed, 
every rod being maide productive of some useful 
fruit or grain, and is supplied with such farm build- 
ings as arc needed, together with a cozy residence. 
The lad}- to wiiose care and affection the neatness 
and order of the dwelling is due, became the wife of 
our subject November 1, 1860. She was Miss JNIary 
J. Cromley, was born in Ohio, and accompanied 
her father, John Cromle}', to this county two years 



before her marriage. The congenial union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Hesser has been blest to them by the 
birth of one child— Sarah M. 

For several years after becoming of legal age 
Mr. Hesser voted the Democratic ticket, but he is 
now to be found in the ranks of tlie Republican 
party. He belongs to Stephenson Post, No. 30, 
G. A. R., in Springfield. In 1889 he made a trip 
to the South, visiting Southern battlefields and 
Andersonville, Ga. 

V 




BRAM R.DAVIS. Among the many men 
MfU\\ who find profit in tilling a portion of the 
soil of this county, is the gentleman 
above named, who owns and occupies a 
good farm on section 21, Pawnee Township. He 
is the eldest in a family of five living children and 
was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Septem- 
ber 25, 1836. He came West with his father and 
made Jersey County, III., his home until 1849, 
when the cry of "gold, gold," which echoed from 
the Pacific to the Atlantic, led liim to turn his 
steps toward the setting sun. 

Having reached California Mr. Davis, with his 
miner's outfit, began a search for the precious 
metal whose discovery had led him thither. He 
carried on mining about two years, tlien engaged 
in farming and stock-raising in Los Angeles County 
and prosecuted his work there until 1875. He 
then disposed of his property in the Golden State, 
returned to Illinois, and settled on the old home- 
stead, where he still resides. He has continued ihe 
occupations of stock-raising and farming, and in 
every detail of his work displays capability and 
good judgment. His farm contains two hundred 
and forty acres of prime land, from which crops, 
equal in quality and quantity to any in tlie county, 
are reaped. The various buildings which stand 
upon the estate are well built, kept in good repair^ 
and arranged with an eye to the convenience of 
those who use them. 

Mr. Davis was fortunate in his choice of a com- 
panion, gaining for his wife Miss Ella J. West- 
wood, a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., to 



656 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



whom he was married in Pawnee Township, this 
fountv, April 9, 1881. The marriage lias been 
blest by tiie l)irth of three children — Grace A., 
Frank L. and Ernest R., who form an interesting 
and attractive group. It is the intention of tlie 
parents to thoroughly equip their children for the 
battle of life by instilling into their hearts the best 
principles and giving them instruction in useful 
knowledge. This work has been begun in so far 
as their years will permit and the little ones 
are alread3' displa^'ing the results of tlicir teach- 
ing. 

Since his return from California Mr. Davis has 
taken an active part in the affairs of the townshii), 
manifesting a desire to aid in the upbuilding of 
tills section in material prosperity and true civili- 
zation. Formerly he was a member of the Re- 
l)ubliean party, but now votes and works for 
the Prohibition party. Both himself and wife 
belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, have 
good standing in tliat religious body, and are 
looked upon as additions to tlie social life of the 
section in which they live. 



^^ 



^^^ LINTON L. CONKLING. This name will 
[\[ I- be at once recognized by all who are 
^^^ acquainted with the legal affairs of the 
county, as that of one of tlie most eminent lawyers 
in Springfield. Mr. Conkling was born in this city 
October 16, 1843, being a son of Hon. James C. 
Conkling, the present Postmaster, whose history is 
given elsewhere in this volume. His early educa- 
tion was received in the local schools and he then 
entered Yale College, fi?om which he was gradu- 
ated in the class of 1864. Having determined to 
follow in his father's footsteps, he read law under 
the latter's direction and was admitted to the bar 
in 1867. 

Immediately after that event the law firm of J. 
C. & C. L. Conkling was formed and continued in 
existence until 1874. The father then engaged 
in manufacturing and the son abandoned his prac- 
tice for three years and aided his father in the new 
enterprise. Young Conkling then resumed his 



professional labors, gathering up the business 
which the old firm had laid down. During the 
year 1881 he was in partnership with Judge W. 
L. Gross, then practiced alone until July 1, 1886, 
when he formed a i)artneisliip with Josei)h M. 
Grout. The general business of the firm is incor- 
lioration and municipal law. They also do a large 
amount of civil and chancery business and in 
matters connected with the settlement of estates 
and trusts. 

Mr. Conkling practices in both State and Federal 
Courts. He and his partner have been counsel for 
the cit}' of Springfield, and general attorneys for 
the St. Louis & Chicago Railway Company and 
other corporations in the State. During a portion 
of the time since the firm was organized, Mr. 
Grout has been City Attorney. Mr. Conkling is 
especially well versed in corporation law and li;is 
one of tlie finest and best-selected law libraries in 
the city. He has not been interested in polities, 
but is a prominent member of various social 
organizations and much interested in the educa- 
tional institutions of the city. He has been a 
member of the Board of Education for four years 
and is now serving his third term as President. 
The interest of the public is safe Hi his hands, as 
ail who visit the schools of this city will acknowl- 
edge. 

For some years Mr. Conkling was a member of 
the Board of Directors of the Public Library, but 
resigned because he could not discharge the duties 
which devolved upon him in that body and the 
Board of Education at the same time. He was 
largely instrumental in the founding and organi- 
zation of the city librar}- and has never lost his 
interest in it. He has been a member of the 
Board of Supervisors for four years. Mr. Conk- 
ling belongs to Springfield Lodge No. 465, I. 
0. O. F., in which he has passed through the 
various Chairs. He also belongs to tlie Knights 
of Pythias, the Order of Elks, the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, and the Masonic fraternity, 
in the latter being a Knight Templar. He is 
also one of the directors of the Ridgely National 
Bank. 

The lady whom l\Ir. Conkling won for his wife 
is a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., and bore the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



657 



maiden uarae of Georgiana Barrell. She was 
living in this city at the time of her marriage, 
wliieh was solemnized at the home of her parents, 
March 12, 1867. Mrs. Conkling is a lady of 
refinement and fine character and is highly regarded 
by a large circle of friends. The family of Mr. 
and IMrs. Conliling consists of two cliildren — 
Georgie B. and Katherine. Both parents are 
members of the Second Presbyterian Church, with 
which our subject has been identified since 1865. 
For fourteen years he was Treasurer, for the past 
twenty years h.as been an Elder, and he likewise 
acted as Assistant Superintendent of tlie Sunday- 
scliool for a number of years. 









C^^HOMAS C. SHEPHERD. The name of this 
'/w^Vi gentleman will always be associated with 
^^g<> the history of Sangamon County, as he oc- 
cupied an important place among its pioneers and 
for several years was a prominent figure in its public 
life. He was one of the early settlers of Woodside 
Township of which he has been cue of the principal 
farmers and stock-raisers for more than half a cen- 
tury and he is to-day one of the largest landowners 
here. 

For several generations the name Thomas has 
been a favorite one in the Shepherd family. The 
great-grandfather of our subject was the first that 
is known to have borne the name. He emigrated 
to this country from Wales in Colonial times and 
took up a large tract of land in Virginia, whicrh 
was known as a "Tomahawk Claim," as in those 
days there were no Government surveys and the 
boundaries of the land were defined by streams of 
water, ridges of rock, remarkable trees, etc. Thomas 
Shepherd, the first, laid out the town of Shepherds- 
town,. Jefferson County, W. Va., where our subject 
was born .June 28, 1806. His father, also named 
Thomas, was likewise a native of Jefferson County. 
He married Mary Byers, who was born in that 
county. He was a miller by occupation, and his 
useful career was cut short at the age of fifty-eight 
years by his death of cholera in 1832. His widow 
subsequently came to Sangamon County with our 



subject and died here in 1870 at the extreme age of 
ninety-one years. They Jiad eight children, four 
sons and four daughters, of whom Thomas C. is the 
eldest. 

Mr. Shepherd remained a resident of his native 
State until he was nearly thirty years old, and in 
the meantime was there married to Miss Ellen 
Miller, July 3, 1834. She was born in Shepherds 
town in July, 1813. After their marriage they 
took up their residence at Blackford's Ferry, 
Md., where their first child was born. After the 
death of his father Mr. Shepherd assumed the re- 
sponsibility of caring for the family and deeming 
that he could better his and their condition by 
a removal to what was then regarded as the "Far 
West," became hither in the fall of 183G. He was 
accompanied by his wife and child, his mother, sis- 
ter and two brothers, and made the entire journey 
from Maryland over a rougli and wild country in 
wagons, in six weeks time, arriving here November 
17, 1836. The famil^y settled on land which our 
subject had previously purchased on section 33, 
Woodside Townshii), where he uasever since made 
his home. He h.is made farming and stock-raising 
his life work and has been more than ordinarily 
prosperous. He owns about eight hundred acres 
of land at the present time, and has his farm under 
fine cultivation and amply supplied with good 
buildings, and everything necessary to carry on 
agriculture to the best advantage. Here he is liv- 
ing in peace and contentment in the enjoyment of 
a handsome competence, and surrounded with all 
that goes to make life pleasant. He is held in 
honor and affection by tiie entire community, not 
only as a fine representative of the pioneers vvho 
did so much for the development of this county, 
but for his worth as a man and a citizen. 

In the death of his beloved wife and companion, 
March 25, 1890, our subject sustained a severe 
loss. For more Ihafi half a century they had walked 
life's road together, had shared its joys and com- 
forted each other in its sorrows. She was to him 
all that a true wife could be; was devoted to the 
interests of her family and was of great help to 
him in building up their home. Their marriage 
had been blessed to them by the birth of five chil- 
dren, named as follows: Thomas B., John H., Will- 



658 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



iam B.. Charles M. and Mary E. The latter was 
the wife of Lawson Pyle, and died in Woodside 
Townsiiip in April, 1889. 

As before intimated Mr. She[>herd has been very 
prominent in public life in this county. In 1848 
be was lionorc<l by liis fellow-citizens by election 
to the oflSce of County Commissioner which posi- 
tion he retained four years, he being the last of the 
County Commissioners under the old Constitution. 
The Commissioners answered the same purpose as 
the Board of Suiiervisors of the present day, but in 
addition to transacting the same business, they did 
the work of the County Judge. Mr. Shepherd had 
the honor of being tlie first Supervisor who repre- 
sented Woodside Township on the County Board 
of Supervisors, and he filled that office for two 
terms. For fourteen years he was Treasurer of the 
school fund of his township and it is recorded to 
his credit that he turned over to his successor an 
increased amount of money, never having lost a 
del)t. In politics he has always given unswerving 
allegiance to the Republican party. In religion he 
is a Methodist, has been a member of the church 
for many years, and was at one time Steward. His 
wife was alsu a devoted member of that church 
and was an active worker in the fold. 




ILLIAM H. VIGAL. A prominent posi- 
tion among the citizens of Cotton Hill 
Township is that held by the gentleman 
above named. His standing in the community is 
important in several respects, including as it does 
his re|)utation f^s a private citizen, a large land- 
owner .'ind the manager of extensive farming inter- 
ests, and his position as a public servant. His home 
is on section 21, where a large tract of land is care- 
fully managed, supplied with everything needful 
in the way of farm buildings, stock and machinery 
and further adorned l)y an excellent residence, 
fruit and shade trees. The late John T. Vigal, the 
father of our subject, was born in Jefferson County, 
Ky., in 1808. In Clark County, Ind. he was mar- 
ried to Hannah Coble, who was born there in 1811. 
In the fall of 1830 the young couple came to San- 



gamon County and established their home on sec- 
tion 8, Cotton Hill Township. There the wife 
breathed her last May 12, 1853. The husband sur- 
vived until April 26, 1887. The parental family 
consists of five sons and four daughters, he of whom 
we write being the second in order of birth and 
the oldest son. 

William II. Vigal was born on the old homestead 
in Cotton Hill Township, January 22, 1833. He 
grew to manhood upon the estate and has always 
made his home within the township. He acquired 
a good education in the common schools, a thor- 
ough knowledge of farming on the homestead, and 
added to his equipment for the battle of life by 
learning the carpenter's trade. In connection with 
farming he worked at his trade several years, but 
he has given his chief attention to tilling the soil 
and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of cattle 
and swine, but b}^ no means neglects the crops 
which are the staples in this section of country. His 
landed estate consists of five hundred and six acres, 
the improyemenls on which were made under his 
directions or by his personal efforts. 

October 31, 1855, in the township in which they 
are now living, Mr. Vigal and Miss Sarah A. Wil- 
lian solemnized their marriage rites. Mrs. Vigal is 
a daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Crowder) 
Willian, natives of Delaware and Kentucky 
respectively. Tiiey were among the pioneers of this 
county, having come hither in 1829 and made their 
first settlement near S|)ringfield. After living there 
about two years the}' removed to Cotton Hill Town- 
ship. There Mrs. Willian died on July 29,1856. 
Mr. Willian breathed his last in Christian County, 
"December 27, 1880. Their daughter, the wife of 
our subject, is the third of five children and was 
born August 29, 1833. She is proficient in the 
accom|)lishments pertaining to ihe life of a home- 
keeper and mother, and furthermore possesses a 
Christian character and has a good standing in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. She has borne her 
husband six children — Marcia A., Everett A.. Metta 
E., William M., Freddie II. and lirmin C. Marcia 
is now the wife of Chester G. Williams and Metta 
of Luther E. Kincaid. Freddie died when eight 
years old. 

Mr. Vigal has taken a very active part in the 



^^^i ,,. 




G. M.TURNER 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



661 



political affairs of the neighborhood, workino' with 
and for the Republican party. He is a member of 
the County' Centra! Committee and in its worlvings 
exhibits the same enterprise and zeal which iiave 
led to his worldly prosperity. He has served as 
Township Supervisor seven terms, Justice of the 
Peace one term, Township Collector one term, and 
Townshi|) Treasurer for nineteen successive years. 
During the war he was Enrolling Officer and in 
1 890 he was Census Enumerator. His continuance in 
public service year after year is the best evidence 
that can be given that his neighbors regard him as 
a man of the strictest honest3', good judgment ancl 
financial ability. 



%.^, ON. CHARLES M. TURNER. It is often 
^j remarked by the friends of tliis gentleman 
that his death, wliich occurred .January 4, 
{\^} 1887, left a vacancy in social and business 
circles which few if any are qualilied to fill. He 
possessed remarkable natural endowments, and 
though without the advantages of early education, 
his mind was of that order that was never satisfied 
with a superficial view of any question, political, 
moral or educational. Especially was he interested 
in the welfare of the young and the cause of edu- 
cation found in him a warm adherent and stanch 
supporter. For many jears he was a member of 
the Board of Education and will be long remem- 
bered for his intelligent labor in that direction. In 
many otlier ways he was identified with the [irog- 
ress of .Sangamon Countj', and at different times 
served as a Supervisor on the County Board, Road 
Commissioner, Justice of the Peace and President 
of the Town Council. He had neither lodge nor 
church relations, as he wislie<l to be free to act and 
form his own conclusions in regard to social and 
religious matters. 

It is, therefore, with pleasure that we present to 
the readers of this volume a lithographic portrait 
of the Hon. Mr. Turner and a biief outline of the 
principal events of his life. He was born in MifHin, 
Juniata County. Pa., December 3, 1820, and at the 
age of about sixteen years came West as far as 



Cincinnati in 1836 and there sojourned until 1848. 
engaged in the drug business. At that early da}- 
he came to Illinois and cast in his lot with the pio- 
neers of Sangamon County, locating near Spring- 
field and resided for two years with his brother-in- 
law, the Hon. Samuel Nesbit. He became well 
known as a practical and successful farmer and in 
time acquired a valuable estate comprising four 
hundred and twenty-six acres. 

A very important event in the life of oursubject 
was his marriage, November 8, 18.')3, to Miss Ada- 
line Kent, who survives him. Mrs. Turner is the 
daughter of Josiah P. Kent and a native of this 
Stale. She is a lady of refinement and culture and 
completed her education in the Springfield High 
School. Her brother, James T. Kent, now of Chi- 
cago, was in the late war in the gunboat service. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Tnrnei- ten children were born, of 
whom six are now living. The record of the chil- 
dren is as follows: Clarissa E., William M., Anna 
E., Ella M., James, Charles A., Laura Belle, Fannie 
A., Rodney Curtin and Perrin Burns, the latter two 
being twins. 

At one time Mr. Turner wfis extensively identi- 
fied with the farming and stock-raising interests of 
this county and was for man}' j-ears a well-known 
and honored citizen, who was an influence for gooil 
in the community where he resided. In 1873 he 
moved from his farm, two and one-half miles west 
of Illiopolis, to his farm near tlie edge of that 
village, where he continued to i-cside until his 
death. Generally he was a supporter of the 
Republican party, yet he was so broad in his 
conception of politics and of the duties of a citizen 
that he never became a partisan. During the war 
he was a stanch Union man and did much to encour- 
age those who went forth to battle for the old flag. 
His brother. Captain James R. Turner, of Kcnn}', 
111., was in the Civil War, also in the Mexican War. 
He was related through his mother to Gov. Curtin 
of Pennsylvania. 

At home surrounded by his family was where 
the genial disposition and noble nature of Mr. Tur- 
ner were best displayed. A devoted husband, a 
tender father, those nearest and dearest to him 
received the sympathy of a large circle of friends 
in their great loss. As a kind neighbor and friend, 



662 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his assistance and counsel will be greatly missed; 
as an upright citizen, his life was an example 
especially for the young who are begincing life 
with no other capital than willing hands. Long 
will his memory be cherisheil as a valued and hon- 
ored citizen of Sangamon County. 



- g^=^ -- 




i,EN.lAMIN F. CUMMINS is a well-known 
and greatly respected resident of Gardner 
|. Township, with whose farming interests he 
is closely identified. He comes of an early 
pioneer family of this county and was born in 
Cartwright Township May 30, 1825. His father, 
William Cummins, was born in Bourbon County, 
Ky., in 1801, and was a son of John L. Cummins, 
a native of Westmoreland County, Pa. 

The o-rand father of our subject was reared as ix 
farmer and be also learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker and had a shop whicli he carried on in 
Paris, Ky. He removed to Kentucky with bis father, 
who was a native of Ireland and a Scotch-Irishman 
by descent, and he became one of the earliest oettlers 
of Kentucky, locating there soon after Boone, the 
famous frontiersman, made his settlement in that 
State. He had seven sons who were also pioneers of 
Kentucky, having removed thither with teams. The 
grandfather of our subject served under Mad An- 
thony Wayne in fighting the Indians in 1794, and 
was with that General when he died on the way to 
Washington. He also served in the war of 1812, 
and he was an admirer of Gen. Harrison. He re- 
moved to Ohio and was a pioneer of Batavia on the 
Miami River in Greene County, where he carried 
on his calling as a shoemaker for several years and 
also engaged in farming. 

In the month of October, 1819, the grandfather 
of our subject came by teams with his lamily to 
this county. He was accompanied by his son-in- 
law, Abram] Sinnard, who was appointed .Justice 
of the Peace by Gov. Bond and married the first 
couple in Sangamon County, and he lived here 
until 1847, when he moved to Iowa and there died. 
Each family drove through from Ohio to Riciiland 
with a team apiece, and on every Sunday Grand- 



father Cummins and Sinnard would rest while the 
other movers would push on, butthc}' would over- 
take them before the week ended. Mr. Cummins 
squatted on the Creek, and subsequentl}' entered 
eighty acres of land on the Beardstown road in 
Cartwright Township. He improved that land, sold 
it to William Stevenson and then entered land in 
Cartwright adjoining Abe. Sinnard's place. In 
183^) he sold that farm and removed to Indian 
Creek Precinct, Morgan County, where he bought 
land and farmed until his death at the venerable 
age of eighty-three years. He was a man of much 
force of character, was well informed on all subjects 
and was a strong Whig. When he came here the 
count}' was very sparsely settled, there being then 
onl3' three families west of Springfield, and his 
name h.as an honorable place among those of the 
early pioneers of this section of the country. 

The father of our subject was eighteen years old 
when he came to this county. He was married in 
1822, bought land in Cartwright Township,on which 
he settled and actively engaged in its improvement. 
He had bought timber land, as he did not then 
think the prairie capable of living in. In 1849 
he sold his possessions here and removed to Iowa, 
bought one hundred and sixt}' .acres of land in 
Wapello County, which lie subsequently' sold and 
removed to Guthrie County, where he died in 1872. 
He volunteereil in the Black Hawk War in Lincoln's 
company and was mustered in April 21, 1832. He 
was mustered out in the following May, and then 
re-enlisted. He was Lincoln's right-hand man when 
the latter had his famous wrestling match with the 
bully Thompson at Beardstown. Early in life a 
Whig, later he became a Republican. In Iowa he 
joined the United Brethren Church. When a young 
man he married Polly Williams, a native of Bour- 
bon County, Kj'. Her father died in that State, 
and her sister, Rachael Williams, came to this 
county with her and her brothers, IClijah and Shel- 
ton Williams, traveling on horseback. That was 
in 1821; finally the uncles of our subject went 
back and later removed to Arkansas, where they 
became the owners of large tracts of land. The 
mother of our subject died in Ctirtwright Town- 
ship in 1826. The father of our subject was twice 
married. Of his first marriage two children sur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



663 



vive — John S., a resident of GuthriejCounty, Iowa, 
and our subject. They had three half brothers 
who took part in the war and William served 
throughout the Rebellion. He was taken prisoner 
at Pittsburg Landing and was inearcerateil for a 
siiort time. 

Our subject passed the first ten years of his life 
in the placeof his birth, living with his grandfather 
after the death of his mother when he was a year 
old. His grandfather moved to Morgan County in 
May, 18.35, and be continued to live with him. He 
had but limited school advantages and was early- 
set to work. On Saturdajs when he was not in 
school he had to cut wood for twenty-five cents to 
pa}' his fees in the subscription school that he at- 
tended, which was taught in a log house, furnished 
with slab benches and heated by a fireplace. He 
was quite j'oung when he commenced to drive 
oxen, and it was a proud day for him when he was 
engaged to drive five yoke for old William Orear. 
Deer and wild turkeys and other game were abun- 
dant, and as our subject was a good shot he mucii 
enjoyed hunting. 

AVhen Mr. Cummins was eighteen years old, on 
the 14tli of Ma}', 184:3, the most auspicious event 
in [lis life occurred, he being then united in mar- 
riage to Miss Elizabeth Angelo, a native of Craw- 
ford County, Pa. She was a daugliter of O'Kenos 
Angelo, a native of New Jersey, who was a pioneer 
farmer of Morgan County. Our subject lived with 
his grandfather on his farm until 184G, and then 
bought a water sawmill on Indian Creek, which lie 
operated for tiirec j'ears. He tlien sold it and 
turned his attention to farming. He served as Con- 
stable for ten years, and was De[iuty Assessor, 
assessing the county, except the cori)orate limits in 
Jacksonville. 

In 1859 Mr. Cummins sold his property in Morgan 
County and coming back to this county rented land 
in Curran Township on the Jacksonville Road. In 
1862 he bought twenty acres here, and locating in 
the timber, began clearing it, and has placed it 
under substantial improvement. He has here a 
line orchard, good buildings, neat and well-fenced 
fields which are watered by Archer Creek, and he 
has added to his properly until he has eighty-four 
acres of land on section 33. He cultivates his land 



and also pays attention to raising cattle and hogs 
and has acquired a good competence. 

Our subject stands among the most honored and 
useful members of the community, and has borne 
an honorable part in the management of civic 
affairs. He is now serving his fifth term as Justice 
of the Peace. Politically he is independent, always 
using his influence to secure the election of the man 
whom he thinks bestlitled for the office, regardless 
of party affiliations. Religiously he is of the Bap- 
tist faith. 

To him and his good wife, who shares the re- 
spect in which he is held, have been born thirteen 
children, of whom the following is recorded: Will- 
iam lives in Chicago; Andy O. is a resident of Ne- 
braska; Marie (Mrs. Phelps) lives in Central City, 
Neb.; John H. died January 1, ]8ii3; Cynthia 
(Mrs. Grundy) lives in Springfield; Mary died in 
February, 1887; Amanda died February 12, 1855; 
Samuel is a fanner in (iardner Township; Frances 
(Mrs. Koogler) lives in Springfield; Lincoln is a 
resident of Buffalo Heart, this county; Stei)hen H. 
is an attorney of Springfield; Nancy E. lives at 
home with her parents; Edward E. assists in the 
management of the home farm; William and And}- 
took part in the late war, the former as a member 
of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, 
and the latter belonging to the Tenth Illinois Cav- 
alry. They also have a grandson twelve years old 
living with them, the only child of their deceased 
daughter Mary, they having adopted him as their 
own since their daughter's death, changing his 
name from Delbert Brown to Delbert Cummins. 



ij^UDOLPH HELLWEG. The residents of 
L*^ Springfield will at once recognize this 
iii \\\ name, as it is that of a man now serving 
\y^acceptably as Mayoi jim ti'iii, in the absence 
of Mayor Hay. He has been connected with munic- 
ipal affairs at different periods antl for a number of 
years has been identified with the business life of 
the city, first as a faithful emiiloye and later as an 
employer of others. In Bremen, Germany, Novem- 



664 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



bor 25, 1836, the eyes of our subject opened to the 
light of clay. His parents are Antoine and Eliza- 
beth (Loehr) Hellweg, the former of whom died in 
1848. The father was a cooper. Youug Rudolph 
passed his boyhood in his native place, attending 
school during the most of each year, in accordance 
'.vith the laws of the Empire. He was about six- 
teen j'ears old when he determined to seek his for- 
tune in the New World and bade adieu to home 
and friends for that purpose. The last j-ear that 
he spent in his native land gave him considerable 
business knowledge, as he was employed in a whole- 
sale grocery house. 

After reaching America young Hellweg made his 
waj' to Chicago and went into a gas-fltting estab- 
lisliment. After two years of careful observation 
and faithful labor, he came to S|)ringfiekl and at 
once began work with the Gas Company. In 1857 
lie went to Tiffin, Ohio, and during the ensuing 
four years visited St. Louis. Mo., and various other 
places. [le then returned to Springfield and 
resumed work for the Gas Compan}', but subse- 
quently entered the employ of Mr. Gwinn, the man 
for whom he did his first work in Chicago. In 1870 
he opened business for himself as a plumber and 
gas fitter and has continued the business from that 
time to the present. He is a proficient woi'kman 
and therefore thoroughly competent to oversee 
what is done bv his employes. 

Mr. Hellweg is a Democrat, "first, last and all the 
time." He has, however, been supported as a can- 
didate for the Cit}- Council by both Democrats and 
Ue[iublicans. He was nominated by both parties 
to represent the Second Ward in 1879-80, and in 
1 888 was a candidate on the Democratic ticket from 
the Fourth Ward and was elected. It will thus be 
seen that his political preference is not thought to 
stand in the way of his doing efficient work in 
the advancement of the city's interest, nor does ii, 
interfere with his personal popularity. Mr. Hellweg 
belongs to the Odd Fellows' order. Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, and Modern AVoodmen of 
America. 

The pleasant home of our subject is under the 
oversight of the lady who became his wife July 23, 
1858. This hv\y bore the maiden name of Ellen 
King, and is a native of New York City. Two 



daughters came to brighten their home and upon 
them were bestowed the names of Isabella and 
I^raraa. The latter is still living under the parental 
roof, but the former is settled in a home of her 
own, being the wife of William Tucker, of Spring- 
field. 



JfflHi 




ARTMAN .SPENGLER. Among the for- 
eign born residents of this county who are 
thoroughly identified with American civili- 
zation and progress may be noted Ilartraan 
Spengler, now Supervisor of Cotton Hill Township. 
He owns a small but productive tract of land on 
section 15, where the usual improvements have 
been made and such arrangements consummated as 
make it a comfortable home. The forty acres 
which comprise the farm are carefully and intelli- 
gently man.aged and prove more remunerative than 
some estates of much larger acreage. 

The parents of o.ur subject were Michael and 
Catherine (Dinkel) Spengler, natives of the German 
Empire, who grew to maturity in their own land 
and there began their wedded life. They con- 
tinued to make their home in the Fatherland until 
1844, when they crossed the Atlantic, landing in 
New Orleans in December. They at once came 
north to Springfield, this State, and soon afterward 
settled in Gardner Township. There the wife and 
mother died in the spring of 1845. The husband 
and father survived until November 21, 1866, 
when he too entered into rest. The good couple 
were the parents of three children, our subject 
being the first-born. His nata! day was February 
10, 1840, and his birthplace, "the little German 
home across the sea." He grew to manhood in 
this county, receiving his education in the common 
schools of Gardner Township, and under his fa- 
ther's direction learning the art of agriculture. 

When about nineteen years old young Spengler 
left home and began working out by the month in 
Gardner Township. On May 16, 1867, he became 
the husband of Melinda Meyer, a lady of estimable 
character, good judgment and housewifely skill. 
She was born in Union Count}', Pa., November 5, 
1813, and is a daughter of Abraham Meyer, who 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



665 



died in Cotton Hill Tosrnship, this count}'. The first 
four years of their wedded life were spent by Mr. 
and Mrs. Spengler in Gardner Townsiup on rented 
land. They then, in the fall of 1871, took posses- 
sion of their present home, where tliey have con- 
tinued to carry on the affairs of life. Their home 
is brightened by the presence of nine children: 
Thomas M., Samuel H., Artemus L., Mary JM., 
Alice J., Rose A., Gilbert, John C. and Charles L. 
Mr. ISpengler has been called upon by his fel- 
low-men to serve in various public capacities. He 
has been Assessor, Highway Commissioner, held the 
<liffercnt school offices, and is now serving his third 
term as Supervisor. In each capacitj' he has mani- 
fested a desire to advance the interests of his con- 
stituents, and aid in the improvement of the 
community and the more thorough development of 
the resources of this section of country. He 
believes in the principles laid down in the Demo- 
cratic platform and therefore casts a Democratic 
ticket on election day. He and his wife belong to 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and have good 
standing among their associates. 



^^^ M. COONS is one of the most highl}' respect- 

1( ,-—1 ed members of the farming community of 

\ll ill' 

^^^51 this county, with whose agricultural interests 

he has been connected for many years. He has a 
finely improved farm in Xew Berlin Township, and 
is now enjoying the closing years of a busy life in one 
of the most comfortable homes of this locality. 
He is a native of Woodford County, Ky., where 
his birth occurred Septembers, 1816. He comes of 
sterling Revolutionary stock, his paternal grand- 
father having served in the Revolutionary War 
under Gen. Washington. 

The parents of our subject were Martin and Mar- 
garet Coons, natives respectively of Virginia and 
Lexington, Ky. They left their early Kentucky 
home in 1825. and making their way through the 
wilderness that intervened, became pioneers of Mor- 
gan County, being among the first to settle in that 
section. The father entered a large tract of land 
and actively entered upon the work of developing 



a farm. He departed this life in 1867 at a venera- 
ble age. He early mingled in the political life of 
his native State and was well acquainted with Henry 
Clay. He was a man of much decision of character 
and was highly regarded by all who knew him. His 
wife preceded him in death many years, her life 
closing April 13, 1844, and both are sleeping their 
last sleep near their pioneer home in Morgan 
Count}'. 

Our subject was only a boy when his parents 
came to this State, but he has a distinct recollec- 
tion of his early life amid pioneer surroundings 
and recollects the many hardships and privations 
that the early settlers of the State were called upon 
to endure during the winter of the deep snow in 
1830-31. Where his |)arent3 settled the countr}' 
was in a very wild condition, and the woods were 
full of wild hogs, deer, wild turkeys and other game 
and Mr. Coons relates many entertaining stories 
about his early hunts in Morgan County. 

Our subject was married in Morgan County to 
Mary .Jane Sturgess, April 4, 1844. They began 
housekeeping on a very limited scale. Their bed 
was constructed of rough boards and one skillet 
was their sole cooking utensil. He often managed 
to kill game to replenish their scant}' larder. Mr. 
Coons began life as a farmer b}' renting a small 
tract of land for two years, and with -Si 50 in cash 
bought his first land, comprising sixt\' acres in 
Morgan County. He' farmed there successfully 
somej'cars, but thinking that he could do still bet- 
ter on the rich soil of Sangamon County, he came 
here in 1853 and bought one hundred and sixty 
acres of land on section 15, New Berlin Township 
for which he paid $3,000. He has developed from 
this tract a beautiful farm, whose rich soil yields 
him abundant harvests. He has placed upon it 
first-class improvements, including sulistantial and 
conveniently arranged buildings and has here a 
pleasant home, finely situated two miles from New 
Berlin. 

Death crossed the threshold of the home of our 
subject September 28, 1861, and took away from it 
his beloved wife. She was a woman of great worth 
and besides her husband and ten children, left many 
xyarm friends to mourn her loss. Her life was 
guided by higli Christian principles and for eight- 



(366 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



een j'ears previous to her death she was a consistent 
member of the Preshyterian Churcli. 

The iife of our subject is somewhat lonely since 
the companion of his early manliood passed out of 
it, yet he is content as he does not mourn her death 
as one without hope, his sincere Christian faith lead 
ing him to firmly believe that in another world 
tiiey will be united where there will be no more 
parting. He is a member of the Baptist Church 
and his daily life shows the sincerity of his religious 
profession. 



-f- — 




GEORGE fSINNIGER:does a good business 
as a hardware raerclianl in Auburn and is 
numbered among its citizens who are most 
liigiily considered. He was a volunteer in the late 
war ami won a record for bravery and effleiency as 
a soldier, of which he and his may well be proud. 
He is a sou of Joseph Sinniger who was born in 
Alsace, Germany, and was the son of an Alsatian. 
In his youth he learned the trade of a watch-maker, 
and married in his native land. He subsequently 
came to America and located in Ilummelstown, 
Pa., wiiere he engaged as a watch-maker and a 
manufacturer of fine clocks until his untimely 
death soon after he settled tliere. He was twice 
married and by ids first marriage had six children: 
Joseph and Antonia, residents of Pennsylvania; 
Catherine, died in Philadelphia; Frances, died 
in Daui)hin County, Pa. ; Barbara; and John who 
died young. 

The mother of our subject was, in her maiden 
days, All)ertina Fogiemann, and she was a native 
of Uurtemburg. She came to America when a 
young woman and was here married first to Mr. 
Krelzuieire. One child was born of that marri.age, 
Sophia, who married A. T. Pipher, an attorney at 
Monticello, and died at Lincoln, Neb. The mother 
of our subject came to Illinois in 1881 and died in 
Monlicello at the venerable age of seventj'-five 
years. She was a woman of strong Christian faitli 
and a member of the Lutheran Church. 

George Sinniger was the only child of his i)ar- 
cuts and was born in Hummelstown, Dauphin 
County, Pa., December 28, 1837. He w.as but 



nine months old when his father died. He was 
reared in his native county, and passed the first ten 
3'ears of his life in the town of his birth where he 
had common-school advantages. At the age men- 
tioned he went to Middletown, where he lived three 
years and in the meantime he attended a subscrip- 
tion school. When he was fifteen years old he 
went to Harrisburg, Pa., to serve an apprentice- 
ship of four years to learn the trade of a tinner. 
After that he did journey work in that city, and 
was eng.aged for some eight years in one shop. He 
subsequently worked in Halifax, and in Lykers 
Valley. Returning to Harrisburg he resumed work 
witli his olderaploj'er and remained witli him until 
the war broke out. 

In October, 1861, Mr. Sinniger and Miss Mary 
Debaugh were united in matrimony in the city of 
Harrisburg, which was the place of Mrs. Sinniger's 
birth. Their married life has been as felicitous as 
usually falls to the lot of mortals, and together 
they have built up a home that is the seat of gen- 
uine comfort and true hospitality'. They have had 
eleven children, namely: Mary F., wife of C. R. 
Randle, of Auburn; George J., who is married and 
is with his father; David D., a resident of Dead- 
wood, S. Dak.; Albertin M., living at home with 
her parents; Joseph W. ; deceased; Jidia J.; John 
H., Lewis M., Charles F., Clarence W. and Vero'.i- 
ica C, the latter six of whom are at home with their 
|)arents. 

After his marriage Mr. Sinniger continued at his 
trade until August, 1862, when he abandoned it to 
take up arms in defense of his country's honor, en- 
listing in that month in Companj' G, One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, 
and was mustered into the service at Harrisburg. 
He was made Color Corporal of his company soon 
after he became a member and with his comrades 
assisted in guarding the chain bridge. December 
13, the One Hundred and Twent3-seventh did some 
hard fighting at the battle of Fredericksburg and 
for four d.ays thereafter was under steady fire. At 
Chancellorsville, May 3, they did their duty 
bravely and then the nine months' men were dis- 
charged being mustered out in Ma}-, 1863. 

Our subject resumed work at his trade after leav- 
ing the army and remained in Pennsylvania until 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



fifif 



March, 1864, when he came to Illinois. He worked 
at his calling in Monticello for awhile and then 
started in business for himself, opening a tin and 
stove store and later consolidated with Mr. Pi[)her 
who had a hardware store. In June, 1865, Mr. Sin- 
nigor sold out liis interest in tliat concern and re- 
turned to Penns3'lvania where he entered the 
employ of his old master and was witli hiui two 
years. In September, 1867, he came back to tliis 
State and again located at Jlonticello wliere he 
engaged as journeyman for his brother-in-law. 

In the spring of 1860 our subject came to Chat- 
ham, Sangamon (bounty, and opened a store for 
tlie sale of stoves, tin, etc. In the spring of 1874 
he moved to Auburn and entered into partnersliip 
with D. R. Buck to carry on the business of selling 
hardware, tin, wire and all articles found in a hard- 
ware store. Eighteen months later, Mr. Sinniger 
took another partner in the person of Mr. W. H. 
Hummel, and they remained together until 1881, 
since wliich time our subject lias continued in busi- 
ness alone. He bouglit his present building in 1882 
and in 1888 moved into it, having previously 
rented it to others. It is a commodious, conveni- 
ently arranged building, 22x104 feet in dimensions 
and it is neatly fitted up and well stocked. Mr. 
Sinniger carries an excellent line of liardware and 
is doing a very profitable and extensive business. 
There is a shop in connection with the store which 
is under the management of his son who has had 
charge of it some years. Besides ids store and 
stock, our subject owns other valuable property 
here, including the handsome residence that he has 
erected in a pleasant part of the town. 

Mr. Sinniger has been a member of the village 
, board for several years, and President tiiereof two 
terms. He was Sciiool Director three years. He is 
well known in social circles by iiis connection with 
tlie Masons and with the Grand Array of the Re- 
public. He is identified with tlie latter organiza- 
ti(jn as a member of J. W. Dodds Post at Auburn, 
of whicli he is OlHcnr of the Day. As a Mason he 
has passed all the Chairs, and has been Master for 
two years'. He belongs to the Royal Arch Masons 
in tliis village and was High Priest three years; he 
is also a meml)er of the Modern Woodmen of 
America here. He is a true Republican and has 



been delegate to County conventions. Mrs. Sin- 
niger is a woman of liigli character and social 
standing and is a devoted member of the Catholic 
Church. 






ACOB F. SCHMIDT. This name will be 
recognized by many of our readers as that 
of the efficient public servant who now holds 
(^^ the position of Assessor of Salisbury Town- 
ship. He is a native of the land that has sent so 
many sturdy, industrious men to swell the number of 
those who find a competence here, and prove trust- 
worthy citizens of their adopted land, teaching us 
to lionor the German character and welcome gladly 
all her sons who desire to enjoy our institutions 
and aid in our development. 

Grandfather Schmidt was a soldier in the army 
of Napoleon Bonaparte, and was killed in Moscow, 
Russia. His son Jacob F., the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Theningen, in the Duchy of 
Baden, in 1800, and being a poor boy, worked as a 
shepherd until he was eighteen years old. He then 
began f.irm work, and after his marriage continued 
to operate land. He died in 1864, leaving three 
children — Caroline, Jacob F. and Christian. The 
daughter now lives in Germanj'; the second son 
was in the German army as a cavalryman six years 
and fought in the Franco-Prussian War. The 
mother was Catharine (Steinecker), Schmidt, who 
was born in 1807, in the same town as her husband. 
She died in 1876, at the age of sixty nine years. 
The faith of the progenitors of our subject was that 
of tlie Lutheran Church. 

The natal day of our subject was August 5, 1843, 
and his birthiilace the town of Theningen, Baden, 
Germanj', four miles from the far-famed river 
Rhine. In accord nee witii the laws of the Empire 
he attended school between the ages of six and four- 
teen years, but after he was ten years old he spent 
the intervals of school life in making his own way, 
having left the parental roof. For tliree years lie 
worked on a farm and in a mill, for his I)oard and 
clothes, then spent two years in learning the trade 
of a rope-maker, after which he labored as a jour- 



66i: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ne3'maii in his native duehy. In Jlareli, 18G3, in 
order to escape militaiy service, for whicli all Ger- 
man youths arc liable, he went to Alsace, then a 
part of France, and worked at his trade there until 
186G. 

The flattering accounts he had heanl of the pros- 
pects afforded to honest industry in America, led 
the young' man to decide to try his fortunes here, 
and in March, 1S6G, he took i)assage from Havre 
on the steamer "Scotland." Twentj'-three days 
later he landed in New York among strangers, but 
with money enough to continue his journey inland. 
He traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured 
em(>loyraent in a brick3'ard until spring, when he 
began working in an hotel. P>re long he hired out 
as a boat hand, and on reaching New Orleans re- 
mained there some time, learning the business of 
soap-making, and working at it until the summer of 
18G8. 

Accompanied by the bride of a few months, Mr. 
Schmidt then came to this county', and bu3'ing a 
little tract of ten acres in Salisbury Township, en- 
tered upon the farm life in which he has vvon a 
good support and an honorable name. He soon 
added to his landed estate, and as he prospered 
made other additions until he had sixty-one acres, 
all of which he has placed under thorough cultiva- 
tion and excellent improvement. It is well fenced 
and supi>lied with all necessary buildings, making 
it a home of comfort, and the point from which Mr. 
Schmidt reaches out in tlie conduct of a good busi- 
ness. He rents adjoining land, operating three 
hundred acres altogether, most of which he devotes 
to corn. He raises large numbers of swine and 
other stock, and keeps three or four teams con- 
stantly employed in carrying on his work. His 
land is made more valuable by its proximity to 
Salisbury and Springfleld, it being but a mile from 
the former and eleven miles from the latter. For 
twelve j-ears after becoming the owner of the first 
acreage, Mr. Schmidt worked hy the month for oth- 
ers, adding to his income and the means by which 
he secured additional land. In 1886 he opened a 
soap factory in Pleasant Plain, but his partner ran 
away with the profits a }'ear later. 

In New Orleans, La., March 7, 1868, the solemn 
ceremony was [ierformed that united the lives and 



fortunes of Mr. Schmidt and Miss Rosina Fuch. 
This lady w.as born in Theningen, Germany, and 
belongs to a good family of the Duchy of Baden. 
She came to America in 1865 and has capably dis- 
charged the diverse duties that have devolved upon 
her as wife, mother, and member of society, gain- 
ing goodwill and esteem on all sides. The family 
of Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt includes eight children, 
named respectively: Minnie Fuch, Christian, Will- 
iam W., Louisa R., Christine M. F., Louis, Caroline 
M. and Appolina B. The eldest daughter is now 
the wife of Fred. Brandt, a farmer in Gardner 
Township; the others are still with their parents. 
Among the inhabitants of Salisbur}' Township, 
none exceed Mr. Schmidt in prominence and per- 
sonal enteri)rise. He is aliove the average in intel- 
ligence and the fund of valuable information he 
possesses, and is especially well versed in mathe- 
matics. He has acquired a good command of the 
English language in conversation, and while in 
New Orleans learned considerable French; add to 
this his thorough knowledge of his mother tongue, 
and he is well equipped for presenting matters to 
the citizens of the township. For four successive 
years he was retained in the position of Township 
Collector, and was then elected Township Assessor, 
an office in which ha is now serving. He votes the 
Democratic ticket, and belongs to Equity Lodge, 
F. M. B. A., in Salisbury, and is an active member 
of the Lutheran Church in Springfield. 

<i||ACOB HAYNES. Asa farmer of cap.abil- 
ity, forethought and prudence, who manages 
^_ I his affairs with wisdom and discretion, our 
i(^j/l subject has been no unimportant factor in 
advancing the material welfare of Auburn Town- 
sliip, whicli has been his home for more than twenty 
jears. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, 
March 16, 1840. He was only six 3'ears old when 
his parents brought him to Illinois. They located 
among the pioneers of Jersey County, where he 
lived until he was twenty-eight years old. 

In the j'ear 1868 our subject took up his resi- 
dence in Auburn Township, this county, and ever 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



671 



since tlien he has been actively engacjed in agri- 
culture iiere and has placed hitnself among the 
best farmers and stock-raisers of the township. He 
owns two hundred acres of ricli and highly produc- 
tive land, which he lias brouglit to a high state of 
tillage, and on wliich he has placed many valuable 
improvements. He has a ne.it and comfortable set 
of buildings and here he and his family have one of 
the coziest of homes. 

Our subject has been fortunate in his married 
life, as in his wife to whom he was wedded in Ma- 
coupin County, 111., lie secured a helpmate and 
companion who has worked faithfully by his side 
and has contributed her share to his prosperity. 
Mrs. Haynes was formerly Rebecca E. Anderson. 
She was born in Jersey County, III. .July 17, 1843, 
and was carefully trained in all that goes to make 
a good housewife. Her marriage with our subject 
has brought to them one child, whom they have 
named Lela JM. 

Mr. Haynes has a sound practical knowledge of 
farming and stands high among the members of 
his cla3s in this township. He is a rnan of sterling 
integrity, of good habits, and is a tlioroughly good 
citizen. In politics he stands with the Democrats. 
He and his wife are both members of the Presby- 
terian Church. 




^ii ATTHEW CLOYD. Among the promi- 
nent farmers of .Sangamon County, who, 
having accumulated a sufficienc}' of this 
world's goods, have retired from the more 
active duties of life, and are passing their declining 
days in the enjoyment of the varied comforts of 
existence, may be mentioned Mr. Cloyd, whose por- 
* trait is shown on the opposite page. An honored 
resident of the village of Chatham, he is interested 
in the prosperity of that attractive place and is a 
shareholder in the Bank of Chatham. He has al- 
ways given his political support to the principles 
and candidates of the Democratic party, and is an 
active member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit As- 
sociation. 

TheClojd family numbers many representatives, 



and is well known throughout the length and 
breadth of Sangamon Count}'. They trace their 
ancestry back to one David Cloyd, who was born 
in Virginia aliout 1766, and who, accompanied by 
his three children, removed in 1815 to Washington 
County, Ky., and thence, in October, 1825, to San- 
gamon County, this State, where he died in 1839. 
He had one son, Thomas, the father of our subject. 
The birthplace of Thomis Cloyd w.as in Virginia, 
and the date thereof January 14, 1797. In his n.i- 
tive State he was united in marri.age with Miss 
Annie Withrow, who was born in Virginia on the 
29tli of December, 1795. The parents of our subject 
were married April 27, 1820, and of their union 
were born six children, all of whom married and 
reared families. The father died of heart disease 
September 21, 1878, while the mother survived un- 
til Februaiy 22, 1882, when she died at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-seven years. 

He of whom we write was born in Vandalia, 111., 
September 10, 1825, .<ind was brought by bis par- 
ents to Sangamon County when less than a jear 
old, in the spring of 1826. The father located 
about three miles north of Chatham, in wliat is now 
known as Curran Townshi|), and purchasing a claim, 
at once engaged in farming. Our subject remained 
under the parental roof until he was about twenty- 
three years of age, and in the meantime received a 
good practical common-school education and was 
trained to a thorough knowledge of agricultural af- 
fairs. In 1847 he purchased a small farm in Cur- 
ran Township, and commenced farming for himself. 
This place embraced one hundred and ten acres, 
which were rapidly improved under the super- 
vision of the thrifty proprietor, and which in time 
became a finely-developed estate. Upon this pleas- 
ant homestead Mr. Cloyd remained until the spring 
of 1890, when, as above stated, he retired from 
.agricultural labors and located in Chatham. 

It is however, in his home that Mr. Cloyd takes 
the g/eatest enjoyment. Possessing a strong domes- 
tic nature, he finds his chief happiness in promoting 
the welfare of those most dear to him. In all his 
labors he has received the active co-operation of 
his wife, who bore the maiden name of Fannie 
Clements, and who is a daughter of Thomas Clem- 
ents, of Kentucky. Mrs. Cloj-d was born October 



672 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



13, 1833, in Sangamon County, 111., and tliore re- 
ceived a good education and such home training as 
fitted her for" wifehood .and motherhood. She was 
united in marriage with Mr. Cloyd October 18, 
1848. and of their iiappy union nine children have 
been born, all now living, as follows: Robert T., 
who married Miss Mary B.augh, resides in Chatham 
Township; Eliza J., the wife of W. J. Smith, lives 
in Woodside Township; William O. married Miss 
Annie Staley, and makes his home in Wayne 
County ; Julia F., the wife of the Hon. Ben F. 
Caldwell, resides in Curran Township ; Matthew F. is 
a farmer of Curran Township, and his wife bore the 
maiden name of Emma F. Thayer; Annie M., Mrs. 
Allen Reed, resides in Chatham Township; that 
township is also the home of Henrietta, the wife of 
Charles Moore; Alice is still with her parents; 
Samuel B., who was united in marriage with ISIiss 
Gertrude McClure, makes his home with his parents. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd are justly proud of their chil- 
dren, who are already taking prominent positions in 
the business and social world. 



/^ IIARLES A. GEHRMANN. Attention, 
ll( method, and industry are the foundation 

^^' stones of success in business. To those who 
labor faithfully, success almost invariably conies. 
The career of Mr. Gehrmann, viewed from a busi- 
ness or social standpoint, is worthy of record in a 
volume containing biographical reviews of promi- 
nent citizens of this county. Integrity of word 
and deed has been the corner-stone of all his Inisi- 
ness transactions, and during his residence in Si)ring- 
field, he has made many warm friends tliroughout 
the county and city. He is a member of the Board 
of Education, Knights Templar, and Knights of 
Pythias. 

A native of Nordhausen, Germany, Mr. Gehr- 
mann was born August 1, 1835, and in his native 
country passed his boyhood ami youth, receiving an 
excellent school education and tiiorough training 
for a business career by a clerkship in one of the 
leading dry-goods houses of Potsdam, and subse- 
quently at Herman Gorsen, Berlin, where the knowl- 



edge of the English and French language brought 
him in contact with the foreign custom of this large 
house, especially the trade of Russia. On one o(^ca- 
sion Mr. Gehrmann was the/ecipient of a fine gold 
watch from the congress of Russia, in acknowledg- 
ment of services rendered. Having a desire to see 
the world, he engaged to work for a-London house, 
but upon arriving in Hamburg, changed his plans, 
and contrary to the wishes of his parents, came to 
America. He spent some months very pleasantly 
in traveling and hunting, visiting some of the 
larger cities of the North, and finally locating in 
Springfield, which in its piimitive condition and 
contr.ast to the large cities he had been visiting, 
attracted his attention and interest. 

Unremitting labor, genial manners, and court- 
eous dealing with all, soon brought popularity to 
the enterprising merchant, and for more than thirty 
years he has been considered one of the most promi- 
nent business men of Springfield. He opened his 
store under his own name in 1860. His store build- 
ing is conveniently located on the west side of the 
Square, at No. 113 Fifth Street. In connection 
with dry -goods he also carries a large and complete 
stock of millinery, and by excellent management 
and good judgment has built up one of the leading 
trades in the city. He is a man of original ideas, well- 
informed in all branches of industry and the arts, 
believes in the necessity of manufacturing goods 
at home, and advocates the training of home talent 
into industrial and productive work. For this rea- 
son he is an earnest advocate of manual training, 
which is now snccessfuUj^ introduced into the pub- 
lic schools of Springfield. 

Mr. Gehrmann was united in marriage April 12, 
1862, with Miss Minnie Jahnke, a resident of 
Springfield, and a native of Berlin, Germany. Mrs. 
Gehrm.ann was born June 23, 1844, and accom- 
panied her parents to the United States when still 
quite young. She departed this life October 31, 
1886, leaving five children, namely: Charles A., 
who is a professor of chemistry and mining engi- 
neer, owns and works several mines at Idaho 
Springs, Col.; Clara M., Adelia A., Ella and Paul M. 
Ella was married October 1, 1890, to B. H. Brain.ard, 
a young man well connected in business and society 
of Springfield. The family are members of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



673 



German Lutlic-nm Church, and are highly esteemed 
in social circles. Mrs. Gehnuann was much beloverl 
by all who knew her, being of a kin(] and loving 
disposition, and one of those faithful women whose 
chief pleasure in life consists in making home a 
place of comfort and peace for husband and chil- 
dren, and VTho have ever a kind word for the un- 
fortunate, and a smile for those who are struggling 
against adverse circumstances. The mother of 
Mrs. Gehrmann still survives and makes her home 
with Mr. Gehrmann. 

The writer had the pleasure of visiting the home 
of Mr. Gehrmann. which compri-ses a tract of land 
seven acres in extent, laid out into a beautiful p.ark, 
adorned with tropical plants and evergreens, some 
eighty feet high, The house is filled with choice 
paintings, manj- from his own hands or his chil- 
dren's, and also contains a large and complete 
library, and musical instruments which seem to 
he used liberallj'. It is indeed a model home. 
Mr. Gehrmann has a brother, T. A. Gehrmann, who 
is a prominent business man in Chicago; also a 
cousin, C. Gehrmann, in Peoria. All belong to the 
Order of Knights Templar, and Mr. Gehrmann, his 
son Charles, and C. Gehrmann are members of the 
Hoard of P^ducation in their respective towns. 



^//Ai PAXTON, Superintendent of the Au- 
(S^Vyjl burn Coal Co., is one of our ablest and 

// Hi most popular business men. He is a son 
of John Paxton, who was born in West 
^'irginia. His father w,as of German birth, and 
after emigrating to this countiy made his liome in 
West Virginia, where he was engaged as a stone.- 
mason, and there he spent his last 3-ears. 

Tlie father of our subject served an apprentice- 
ship of five years in his youth, and became a prac- 
tical fine stonecutter and mason, and has been 
engaged at those callings nearly all his life. When 
a young man he went to Greene County, Tenn.. 
and was tliere married. During the war he removed 
to Dade County, Ga., and the most of the time he 
was with, the Union army as aspj', as he had alw.a^s 



been a strong Abolitionist, and was in sympathy 
with the Federal troops. He did valuable service 
to the cause, and had manj^ narrow escapes. After 
the war Blr. Paxton came to Champaign Count}', 
111., where he engaged at his trade, and was exten- 
sively interested in contracting and building in 
Chicago, Joliet, Blooniington and other cities. He 
cut the stone for^the Springfield State house, and 
put in the abutments at Danville for the Indianap- 
olis, Bloomington & Western Railroad. 

In 1870 Mr. Paxton removed to Pawnee County, 
Kan., and took up a homestead claim near Larnod. 
He still continued in business, while he improved 
his land and engaged in stock-raising and farming. 
He has been much prospered and is now one of the 
wealtliy men of that part of the country. He has 
a farm of six hundred and forty acres of finely 
improved land and is largely engaged in raising 
horses. He is a man of sound sense and well-bal- 
anced intellect, and his standing is among the best 
people of this communitj-. In polities he is still as 
in war times, a strong advocate of the Republican 
party. He has been twice married. The maiden 
name of his first wife was Isabelle Palls, and she 
was born near Nashville, Tenr . Her father, Frank 
Falls, was a native of Germany, and w.is a pioneer 
settler of Tennessee. Mrs. Paxton died in Kansas 
in the year 1876. She w.as in every respect a fine 
woman, was a Christian in the truest sense of the 
word, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. She was the mother of the following six 
clnldren: Al, our subject; James, who died in Kan- 
s.is; William, a resident of Auburn; Jesse, who 
lives in Leadville, Col.; Robert, who died in 
Georgia when nine j'ears old ; and a child who died 
in infanc}'. The father of our subject was married 
a second time and l;;i6 taree daughters by this mar- 
riage. 

He of whom ve write was born in Greenevilie, 
Tenn., February -22, 185/'). The first years of his 
life wpre passe<l in the pl.ace of his birth, until he 
accompanied his parents to Georgia during the 
war. After that the family came to Champaign, 111., 
where our subject grew to man's estate and received 
his education. He was a mere boy when he began 
working with his father at stoneculting and as a 
mason, and he remained with him thus employed 



674 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



until he was twenty-one years old. In the mean- 
time he had gone to Pawnee County with his par- 
ents in 1870, and after he attained his majority he 
went to San Antonio, Tex., where he engaged in 
herding cattle, and driving them to the States and 
Territories. He thus led an active and exciting life 
and could round up a herd of cattle as well as any 
Texas cowboy of them all. In the pursuit of his 
calling he traveled through Texas, Colorado, New 
Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, and other 
States and Territories, and thus saw much of this 
country, and profited by his observations. He 
finally grew tired of his restless and wandering life 
and decided to marry, that he might have a home. 
Accordingly in Februar}', 1879, he was married in 
Lincoln, Neb., to Aliss Lou Van, a native of Indi- 
ana. 

After marriage our subject came to Auburn and 
began to work in this mine over which he now 
has control. The shaft had just been sunk, and he 
completed the preparations for mining the coal, and 
worked in various capacities. In time he came to 
be a practical miner with a full understanding of 
the best methods of working a coal mine. In 1887 
he was one of the principals in forming the present 
company that owns the mine, and was elected its 
President, whicli position he held until 1890, when 
he took charge of afifairs as Superintendent. Under 
his superior management the mine yields well, and 
is a great source of profit to its owners. Tiie Au- 
burn shaft is two hundred and seventy-six feet 
deep, and the vein of coal that is being worked is 
of a fine quality and is seven feet in thickness. 
Twenty-six miners are employed and an average of 
two hundred and fifty tons a day is mined. 

Mr. Paxton has already 113' his enei'gy and good 
business qualifications placed himself in comfort- 
able circunistnncos, and has here some valuable 
propert}' including his residence and some town 
lots. He and Iiis wife have a charming home, 
which they have made the center of a genial hospi- 
tality. Their happy home circle is completed by 
the presence of their daughter Kittie, who is a 
member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Paxton used 
to be a member and Treasurer of the Coal Miners' 
Union, and he is very highlj'. thought of, not only 
by his intimate friends, but by the men who work 



under him, who feel sure that he will do all that he 
can to protect their interests. Politically he is a 
Republican, and is one of the strongest supporters 
of his party in this vicinity. He has served on 
juries and has otherwise made himself useful as a 



citizen. 



-^^^^^^^^^O^ 



■•-r-V- 




^ j^ILLIAM H. THOMPSON has extensive 
farming and stock-raising interests in Will- 
iams Township, and is one of the young 
men whose intelligent enterprise and progressive 
spirit are doing much to advance the welfare of 
this township. He was born on the Pacific Slope 
October 22, 1859, and is a native of Yam Hill 
County, Ore. 

Alfred F. Thompson, the father of our subject, 
was a native of Tennessee, where his birth occurred 
April 16, 1832. In 1850, while yet a mere youtli, 
he went overland to Oregon, being six months on 
the way. He arrived there penniless, but had a 
plucky, indomitable spirit that enabled him to 
overcome many obstacles. He was at one time one 
of Gen. Custer's riglit-hand njeii, and occasionally 
carried messages for him. He mined for two years 
in Oregon and met with fine success. He also 
engaged as a trader and made money at that occu- 
pation. In 1853 he commenced farming in that 
State, and carried it on extensivel}'. He acquired a 
goodly amount of property, and tiring of Western 
life he finally made up his mind to take up his 
residence in Illinois, and in 1867 he came here 
with §16,000 in gold. He became one of the 
most prominent and wealthy men in the county 
and his genial, kindly nature won him the warm 
affection of a large circle of friends. He w.as a 
good financier and in his business as a stock-dealer 
made a great deal of money. When he died he left 
a valuable estate of seven hundred acres. His 
death occurred November 2, 1884, when he was 
scarcely past the meridian of life, he being then 
but fifty-three j'ears of age, and this county then 
lost one of its best citizens. Alfred F. Thomp- 
sorj was married in 185G to Mary J. Hussey. Her 
father, W. S. Hussey, crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia in 1850, and again in 1859, and returned to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



675 



this county in 1861. He became a large lanfl- 
owner here and died in 1887, at the venerable age 
of seventy-nine years. 

William II. Thompson, of whom tiiis is a life 
record, was one of ten children, of whom six are 
living. He was reared on a farm, and when tiie 
time came for him to clioose a calling for life, he 
selected that of a farmer and the success that has 
followed his work is complete. He deals in stock 
quite extensively and is a large feeder. He now 
has two hundred and fifty hogs on his place, besides 
having it well stocked otherwise. He is a young 
man of frank and open nature, and is [lopular witli 
his many associates and friends. Foresight, sound 
sagacity and decision of character are among the 
traits that have made his life prosperous thus far. 

Mr. Thompson and Miss Jessie B. Telfer united 
their livts and their fortunes September 6, 1883, 
in wliat proved to be a felicitous wedded life. It 
was sadly ended by the death of the young wife 
August 4, 1887. She was a lady of refinement and 
intelligence and stood high in the estimation of all 
who knew her. She was a member of the Presb}'- 
terian Church and the purity of her character was 
an evidence of the sincerity of her Christian pro- 
fession. She left one child, Edith A., who was 
born June 27, 1885. Mr. Thompson is an active 
Democrat. Socially, he is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias. 



^ 



\T! AMES B. VAN METER is a native-born cit- 
izen of this county, a son of one of its early 
pioneers and is one of the principal fanners 
and stock growers of Fancy Creek Townsiiip- 
Tills is the place of his birth he having been born 
here September 12, 1847. His father, Abraham D. 
Van Jleter, was born in West Virginia and was a 
son of Henry Van Meter, who was a native of that 
State also. He removed to Pickering County, 
Ohio, when Abraham was a year old, and he 
there died in 1849, leaving considerable property. 
Abraham Van Meter was a j'oung man when he 
migrated from the pioneer home in Ohio to the 
wilds of Southern Illinois in 1827. He lived there 



two or three winters before settling on a place of 
his own. He was engaged in the business of feed- 
ing cattle and drove them to Ohio to market. In 
1828 he was married to Miss Nancy A. Hussey. 
She was a native of Ohio and came to this State 
with her father, Nathan Hussey, when she was nine 
years old. She was the third white woman to cross 
the Sangamon River in 1818. 

Abraham Van Meter entered land after his mar- 
riage and bought other land and actively entered 
upon the pioneer task before liirn of developing it 
into a farm. At that time Indians were numerous 
in this part of tliecountiy and wild game was plen- 
tiful, there being but few settlements in this region 
at that time. Mr. Van Meter lived to see the 
country well developed, aided in its growth, and 
died June 10, 1879, at the ripe old age of seventy- 
nine j'cars. He was an officer in the Mexican War 
and was Colonel of his regiment. His widow sur- 
vived him several years, dying in 1887 at the age 
of eight3--two years. She was reared a Quaker but 
became a Methodist. These worthy people were 
the parents of ten children, of whom but three are 
now living. 

Our subject attended the district schools, which 
were then taught in a primitive fashion in log 
sehoolhouses. He remained at home with his father 
till he was nineteen years old and was well trained 
to the life of a farmer. In early manhood he mar- 
ried and established a home of his own, taking as 
Ills wife Mary A. Tliaxton. She is a native of Illi- 
nois, and vvas born January 26, 1852, a daughter of 
James H. and Margaret ( Hoffman) Thaxton, natives 
respectively of Kentucky and Ohio. They emigrated 
to Sangamon County in an early day of its settle- 
ment. Mrs. Van Meter's mother died in the month 
of May, 1890, at the age of sixty-three years. 

Mr. Van Meter lias three hundred and twenty 
acres of land in his possession, which he has placed 
under admirable tillage and has supplied it with all 
the necessary improvements for carrying it on to 
the best advantage. His buildingi are neat and 
w^ell ordered and everything about the place wears 
an air of thrift and shows the presence of a hard- 
working, skillful manager. Here he and his wife 
have establislied a coz}' home. The following is 
recorded of their seven children: James E. was 



676 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



born September 27, 1871; Hiram W., July 10, 
ia76; Mary E., April 24, 1878; Hal., May 17, 1880; 
Stella M., April 6, 1882; Julia M., April 5, 1886; 
and Carrie M., September 7, 1888. Mr. Van Meter 
is a clear-tieailed. sound man of business, keeps liis 
affairs in good order and is reckoned among the 
best citizens of his native township, to whose inter- 
ests he is greatly devoted. In his political views 
he is decidedly a Republican; religiously the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church finds in him one of its most 
conscientiuiis members; socially, he belongs to the 
Masonic order. 




OJSRAD SCHAMEL. Many years ago Mr. 
Schamel came to this country from the 
German Fatherland when in the prime of a 
stalwart manhood, and sought to build up a home 
for himself and family in this county'. He here 
turned his attention to farming on the rich, pro- 
ductive soil of this region and in due time his pio- 
neer labors resulted in a large and valuable farm 
in Springfield Township, where he held an honorable 
position among its most respected agriculturists till 
the day of his death. 

Our subject was born in Germany, June 2, 1811. 
lie passed the early years of his life in the home of 
his birth and was educated in the local schools. 
After attaining man's estate he wooed and won the 
hand of Marie Critzer, who was born in Germany, 
December 7, 1821. While in the old country he 
was engaged as a miller but he abandoned that 
calling when he left the land of his birth. He and 
his wife came to America in the spring of 1849, 
and after their arrival in this countr}' they settled 
in Springfield, this county, where they lived a year 
and a half. They then located on a tract of land 
on section 3, Springfield Township, which is still the 
liome of Mrs. Schamel. In the years that followed, 
Mr. Schamel devoted himself exclusively to farm- 
ing, and in time gathered together a goodly amount 
of property and became one of the well-to-do far- 
mers of his adopted township. He improved four 
hundred acres of land and made of it one of the 
t)est farms in the locality, providing it with neat 



and substantial buildings and everything needful 
for carryingon agriculture. While yet in themidst 
of a career of usefulness, ere old age had come 
upon him, he was stricken by death in the month 
of March, 1869 ; and thus passed to eternal rest one 
who had been a good citizen and who by a busy 
life had aided in bringing about the prosperity of 
Springfield Township. 

Mr. Schamel was a good man and bore a solid 
reputation for square dealing and as a good 
neighbor and a kind husband and father. He, with 
his wife, belonged to the Lutheran Church, to 
which he contributed liberally, and he was strong 
in his religious faith. Mrs. Schamel is living with 
her children in the comfortable home which she 
helped to build up. She is a sincere Christian and 
a. woman of many excellent virtues. She is a 
capable housewife and lias trained her daughters to 
follow in her footsteps. Her marriage with our 
subject was blessed by thirteen children, of whom 
the following are living: Conrad, George, John, 
Albert, Thomas, Elizabeth. Mollie, Ida and Anna. 
Catherine died in September, 1886, and three chil- 
dren died in childhood. 




[l^ILLIAM H. JONES owns and operates a 
fertile tract of land in Pawnee Townshi|), 
whereon he is reaping a due reward for his 
assiduous and well-directed efforts as an agricul- 
turist. The estate comprises one hundred and 
fifty-two and one-half broad acres on section 30, 
and is supplied with the various improvements all 
good farmers make, including a full line of build- 
ings of substantial construction and convenient 
arrangement. 

Mr. Jones is a native of New .lerscy and was 
born November 21, 1824. No unusual events 
marked his boyhood or youth, but he grew to man- 
hood as a skilled workman at the trade of a car- 
penter and in the possession of a goodly fund of 
practical knowledge. When he was about twenty-five 
years old he left the shores of his native State 
behind him for a year and a half and made his 
home in Cleveland, Ohio. He then returned to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



677 



New Jersey for a sojourn of nine months, after 
wliich he came to this State. He located in Jer- 
sey County-, where he remaineil some five years 
engaged in work at his trade. In 1856 we find hiui 
visitino- this county, buj'ing laud which lie still 
occupies, and settling down to the life of a farmer. 

In Jersey vi lie, Jersey County, Mr. Jones led to 
the iiymeneal altar a worthy lady known as Miss 
Juliette Noble, who was born in that county. She 
breathed her last in this count}' in 1865, leaving 
five children to the care of her bereaved husband, 
who has found consolation for her departure in 
their love and companionship. The children bear 
the names — P^lwood S., Lewis T., Charles H., Will- 
iam D and Sarah. Tiie daughter died wlien about 
two }"ears old. 

Mr. Jones has been Higliway Commissioner sev- 
eral years and has also served as School Director. 
An intelligent, law-abiding citizen, an enterprising 
farmer, and a man of kindly relations with his fel- 
low-men, he is accorded the respect he merits, and 
his worth as a public servant is acknowledged. 



%^ ON. ANDREW J. LESTER, a representa- 
tive in the State Legislature and the incum- 
bent of an important Federal oflice. is a 
young lawyer of Springfield who has already 
attained distinction not only in his profession but 
as a statesman, as a public officer and as a politi- 
cian of the best tj'pe. He is a native of this county, 
born September 27, 1860, and is a son of James 
and Sarah (Groves) Lester. His father was a 
native of Virginia and was reared to the occupa- 
tion of a farmer. He came to Illinois in 1843 and 
cast in his lot with the pioneers of this county. He 
here met the lady who afterward became his wife, 
who was a member of a fine old pioneer family in 
this part of Illinois. 

In his boyhood our subject attended the com- 
mon schools of his native county, and subsequently 
pursued a course in the Normal School at Danville, 
Ind., under Prof. Adams, and he was graduated 
from that institution of learning in 1881. After- 
ward he taught school, and after several terms in 




the county schools became Principal of the Will- 
iamsville schools. He read law at the same time, 
and during liis vacations was in the office of Palmer, 
Robinson & Shutt, and under their instruction made 
rapid progress and was fitted for admission to the 
bar in 1885. He immediately entered upon the 
practice of his calling, and in 1886 became asso- 
ciated with the Hon. James C. Conklin. In that 
year he was nominated by the Republicans of 
Sangamon County for the office of Representative 
in the State Legislature, but was defeated. In 1 888 
he was once more nominated, and was elected to 
the House of Representati res and is still a member 
of that honorable body. He is also acting for the 
Government as Special Agent of the United States 
Treasury' Department. He is a member of the firm 
of Lester & Math is. 

Ilis career as a statesman has been alike honora- 
ble to himself and his constituency and has re- 
flected credit on his native county. In the 
organization of the House he was made Chairman 
of the Committee on Judicial Department and 
Practice and ably filled that important position. 
During the special session of the Legislature called 
by Gov. Fifer to act on the World's Fair, he pre- 
sided over the deliberations of the joint committee 
having charge of bills respecting the great Colum- 
bian Exposition. He is very influential in tlie 
political life of this section and is one of the active 
workers of his party. He was prominent in help- 
ing to organize the Republican League of the United 
States inChickering Hall, New York, in December, 
1887, and was one of the three representatives from 
Illinois. He and W. W. Tracy were authorized to 
organize the State League of Illinois, and succeeded 
in estal)lishing four hundred clubs throughout tiie 
State. The organization has grown until it is now 
recognized as a, powerful anxiliarj' in politics in 
this Commonwealth. At the time of the organiza- 
tion of the National League Mr. Lester made the 
first nomination for President witli success and at 
the third meeting of the League at N.ashville, Tenn., 
nominated .ludge John M. Thurston, who succeeded 
as presiding officer. Our subject has been actively 
connected with the work here, and had the honor 
in the Thirty-sixth General Assembly of nomina- 
ting Senator CuUom for United States Senator. 



678 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Om- sLiLjcct is popular in social circles, is a member 
of the Knights of Pythias, and is one of the leading 
spirits in the Sangamon Club, a purely social club, 
and of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. 
Religiously he is a member of the First Congrega- 
tional Church. 

On the evening of September 17, 1890, the Hon. 
A. J. Lester and Miss Lucy Tr.acy were united in 
marriage. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
F. W. Tracy, well-known society people of Spring- 
field, and she is one of the belles of the city, a 
young lady whose lovely character, culture and 
accomplishments have attracted hosts of admirers. 

The nuptials of two such people as the talented 
young lawyer and statesman and the beautiful 
society belle vv.as a great soci.al event in the capital 
city, which had been looked forward to for some 
time. The wedding ceremonies were celebrated 
with great eclat in the First Congregational Church 
of Springfield, which vras beautifully decorated for 
the occasion. All the elite of the city were gath- 
ered there to witness the ceremony, and a large 
number of friends from the principal cities of this 
State and others. The marriage services were per- 
formed b}' tlie Rev. James N. Lester, brotlier of 
tiie groom, after the solemn rites of the English 
ritual. A reception was given to the newly wedded 
pair at the residence of the bride's parents, where 
lovely flowers in profusion and beautiful anil taste- 
ful floral designs of every description enhanced 
the beauty of the scene. 

After a never-to-be-forgotten wedding journe}' 
through the West Mr. Lester and his charming 
bride established an attractive home in Springfield. 




AMUEL JOHNSON resides on section 3G, 
Rochester Township, where he owns a 
good farm of two hundred and forty acres, 
to the cultivation of which he devotes his 
entire time and attention. A glance at his iiouie 
■with its pleasant surroundings indicates him to be 
a man of thrift and enterprise, for everything nec- 
essary to a. model farm is .there found, including 



good buildings, the latest improved machinery and 
excellent grades of stock. On the 1 2tli of Septem- 
l)er, 1830, on his father's farm in Rochester Town- 
ship, Samuel Johnson was born and spent his early 
boyliood da}'s. His parents were Andrew and 
Mary (Williams) Johnson, who are represented in 
the sketch of his brother John on another page of 
this work. After his father's death he continued 
at home until his mother was called to her final 
rest, when he went to Iowa, spending the succeed- 
ing four years of his life in the family of his uncle 
Amos Williams. It was his desire, however, to 
make his home in the county of his nativity, and 
returning to Illinois he joined his brother John in 
the operation of the old homestead, which they 
continup.d to cultivate conjointly for several years. 

When about twenty-two years of age, on the 
22nd of September, 1852, Mr. Johnson was united 
in marriage with Lavina J. Baker, daughter of 
Squire and Margaret (Waddle) Baker, who were 
early settlers of this county. For some j^ears they 
resided upon a farm in Rochester Township, but at 
length selling out, they removed to Kansas, where 
thej' spent their last days. Mrs. Johnson was born 
upon the Baker homestead in 1832, and died after 
four short years of married life, on the 24th of 
March, 1856, leaving one child, Jennette F., wife 
of Joseph Sharp. The mother was a member of 
the Christian Church and a most estimable lad}'. 
The second marriage of Mr. Johnson was celebrated 
August 2G, 1856, when he wedded Miss Louisa 
Taff, who was born near Athens, Menard County, 
111., July 4, 1839. They became parents of eight 
children: Marietta, now the wife of Benjamin F. 
Waters; Theresa, wife of Joseph Humphrey; James 
E., who married Alice Bell; Ida F., wife of Alfred 
Morter; Flora A., wife of Charles Olcott; Martha 
C, Arthur and Ira, who are at home. The mother 
of this family passed away on the 26th of Febru- 
ary, 1884. She was a member of the Christian 
Church and a life abounding in good works, deeds 
of kindness and acts of mercy won her the love 
of all. 

Throughout almost his entire life Mr. Johnson 
has made his home in Rochester Township and has 
been an important factor in the upbuilding of this 
part of the county He is a friend to all social, 






'cryuCe/t^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



681 



moral and educational interests and has done not a 
little toward raising the standard of the schools 
while serving as School Director, a position he has 
filled many years. That is the only office he could 
be induced to accept, for he cares little for the hon- 
ors of public life, preferring to devote himself exclu- 
sively to his business. In politics our subject is an 
ardent Republican. 



•:<^ss- 



OHN LEO^;ARD, a retired, wealthy farmer, 
came to this county in the pioneer times 
and was an early settler of liliopolis Town- 
ship, in whose development he has been a 
potent factor. In the course of time he became a 
large landowner and the most successful stock- 
grower of the place. He has a valuable estate here 
and is spending his declining j'ears in the enjoj^- 
nient of a handsome competence. 

Mr. Leonard was born four miles north of 
Waynesboro, Augusta County, Va., Jlarcli 4, 1828, 
to George and Catherine (Summers) liConanL His 
father was a native of Pennsylvania and at the age 
of eight years was taken to Virginia where he grew 
to a stalwart manhood. He became a well-to-do 
farmer, and during the war bis farm was the scene 
of a Union encampment. He came to Illinois in 
the '70s and his last days were passed in AVoodford 
County, where his death occurred July 24, 1884, 
at the remarkable age of ninet3'-seven years. The 
mother of our subject, who was born near Taunton, 
Va.. died in Woodford County, in 187.5 at a ripe 
old age. 

John Leonard received but a limited education 
in the primitive *' pay" schools of his time, and at 
the age of eighteen began life for himself full of 
courage and hope, as a farmer in Virginia. He 
continued in the State of his nativity till the age of 
twenty-four years, when he came to Illinois in the 
fall of 1852 anil settled near Mechanicsburg. In 
the spring of 1853 he purchased the nucleus of his 
present fine farm, buying the one hundred an<l 
sixty acres of land from the Government at $1.10 
per acre, and borrowed $100 to pay for it. He 
then entered on the career of untiring industry 



that has resulted in the accumulation of a compe- 
tency for his old age. He continued farming near 
Mechanicsville till 1858, vvhen he built a small 
house of two rooms on his farm in liliopolis Town- 
ship, drawing the material for its construction and 
to fence his farm sixteen and one-half miles, and 
then took up his abode in that humble dwelling. 

Mr. Leonard soon began to acquire more land, 
buying one hundred and sixty-three acres near his 
home, which he soon sold, however, at an advanced 
price, and then bought eighty acres of land at 88 
an acre. His next purchase was forty acres of 
land at 825 an .acre and after that a tract of eighty 
acres of wild land for $15 an acre. He subsequently 
bought a quarter section in Macon County at $40 
an acre, which he sold for 845 per acre. Fortj" 
acres of land near his home next came into his 
possession, for which he paid 850 an acre. He 
made a purchase of eighty acres in Macon County, 
and this he sold to his son who now occupies it. 
He bought twenty acres near the river and his last 
purchase was of two eighties at 860 an acre. Ilis 
estate now comprises six hundred acres of laud and 
there is no finer land anywhere in the region. 

For many years Mr. Leonard was extensively 
and successfully engaged in raising stock, for which 
he always found a read3- market, as his cattle were 
sleek and well-kept. His motto in that business 
was alwa3'S "care and feed." A year ago Mr. 
Leonard retired from active business and his sons 
are farming his land. The two rooms of his early 
home have gcown, as he sa^-s, " upwards, down- 
ward and sidewise" till they make a sp.acious home, 
where he is living in the enjoyment of all the 
comforts and luxuries of life that heart could wish. 
He is personally known for his good nature, large 
heart and as a steadfast friend. His char.actcr is 
irreproachable and he is regarded as one of the 
most reliable citizens of liliopolis Township. He 
interests himself in politics and is a stanch advocate 
of the Democratic party. Socially, he is a member 
of the Farmers Mutual Benefit Association. 

Undoubtedly Mr. Leonard justly attributes a part 
of his success in life to the cordial co-operation that 
he has always received from his estimable wife to 
whom he was married in 1852. She is a superior 
housewife and manages their home affairs with 



682 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



sound wisdom and discretion, and so as to contribute 
to the comfort and happiness of lier family. Mrs. 
Leonard's name in her girlhood days was Rhoda 
Humphreys and she is a native of Roanoke, Va. 
Eight children have been born to her and our sub- 
ject, of whom four sons and three daughters are 
living and all are settled within easy distance of 
the old iioraestead. Among their descendants Mr. 
and Mrs. Leonard have nineteen grandchildren, in 
whom they take much pleasure. 

In connection with this sketch we are pleased to 
present a portrait of Mr. Leonard, as that ot a 
representative and honored citizen of Sangamon 
County. 



m 



^7 OHN R. VAN METER. Many of the sons 
of the pioneers of Sangamon Count)' have 
played an important part in its upbuilding 
and to-day stand among its best citizens. 
Of this number is John R. Van Meter, who is one 
of the leading faimers and stock-raisers of Fanc}' 
Creek. He is successfully managing the old home- 
stead, which was his birthi)lace and of which he is 
now the proprietor. 

Mr. A'an Meter was born December 15, 1837, 
and is the son of an honored pioneer of Sangamon 
County, Seymour R. Van Meter, who was born 
on the 14th of February, 1807, in Champaign 
County, Ohio. He was married in his native Slate 
to Catherine Bishop, and immediatel}- started for 
Illinois with his wife in 1834. After his arrival 
he selected a tract of land in Fancy Creek Town- 
ship and entered his land patents which were signed 
by Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson in 
1835 and 1837. He was a soldier in the Black 
Ilawk War anfl served under Capt. Dawson. Dur- 
ing his many years' residence in this county he im- 
proved a large farm of three hundred and twenty 
Acres of land, including the two hundred and fortj' 
whicli he had entered and an eighty-acre tract 
of. land given him by his father when he first 
came here. His first wife, who was born in Clarke 
County, Ohio, April 8, 1810, died in this county 
ftfter many years of married life, leaving a family 



of children, two of whom are now living. Mr. 
Van Meter was married a second time, April 3, 
18G0, taking as his wife Mary Whitmore. He 
departed this life September 6, 1866, leaving 
behind him a memorj' of one who was worthy 
of all respect as a man and a citizen, and as a pio- 
neer of the county who did much to develop its 
agricultural interests. He was an unpretentious 
man, but was at the same lime active and public- 
spirited, and was foremost in any good work for 
local improvement. 

John R. Van Meter, of whom this sketch is writ- 
ten, was born in the humble log cabin that was the 
early home of his parents after they came here and 
settled in the wilderness, and he was reared under 
pioneer influences. He obtained the preliminaries 
of his education in the rude log schoolhouse, char- 
acteristic of the early years of the settlement of this 
county. At the age of twenty he attended the 
Bloomington Institute six months and pursued an 
excellent course of study. 

In 1858 our subject entered upon his career as 
a farmer near Elkhart, in Logan C'ountj', where he 
was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits for 
nine years. He'' subsequently returned to his native 
township, and as before mentioned is carrying on 
farming operations on the old homestead that was 
his birtli[ilace. He now owns four hundred acres 
of highly cultivated land which is substantially 
improved in every particular. Among its attrac- 
tions is a fine large brick house, that is well and 
comfortabl)' furnished, and is one of thepleasantest 
homes of the township. He is recognized by his 
fellow-citizens as well qualified to assist in the man- 
agement of public affairs, and has twice represented 
Fancy Creek Township on the County Board of 
Supervisors. In his political views he is a stanch 
Republican and never fails to give his party mate- 
rial support whenever occasion offers. 

Mr. Van Meter and Miss Eiiza J. Cresse were 
wedded January 22, 1872, and theirs has been a 
happy married life. It has been blessed to them 
by three children, of whom the following is the 
record: Seymour was born October 29, 1872; AV^ill- 
iam F., October 31, 1875; and George F., January 
16, 1882. Mrs. Van Meter is a native of Menard 
County, 111., and was born Jul}- 15, 1844. She is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



683 



a daughter of John and Sarah Cresse, natives of 
New Jerse}', who settled in Menard Countj' in 
1840. Mr. Cresse lived in Springfield for several 
years and was a contractor and builder. lie died 
in 1884. 



€^-l 



--^ 



^^ HARLIE M. WOOnS. This county has few 
(l( more energetic or wide-awake men among 

^^<;' the younger members of its farming popu- 
lation than this gentleman. He is successfully 
engaged in farming and stock-dealing in Fancj* 
Creek Township, where he has a good farm and is 
held in high esteem as a man and a citizen. 

Mr. Woods is a Virginian by birth and was born 
in Albemarle County, October 22, 1859. His 
father, Sampson L. Woods, was also a native of Vir- 
ginia. Rut little is known of the genealog,v of the 
family beyond the fact that the great-great-grand- 
father of our subject came from Ireland to tiiis 
country, and settling in A'irginia became quite a 
prominent citizen of Charlotteville, county seat (jf 
Albemarle Countj', where he built the first store. 
In his early life the father of our subject was a 
farmer, but during the war he engaged in trading 
and bought cattle and sold supplies for the arm3-. 
After the close of the Rebellion he engaged in the 
mercantile business for several years at Free Union, 
Va., and there died in 1882 at the age of sixty- 
two years. He was a prominent and influential 
citizen of his community and was very highl}- 
thought of by all who knew him. He was a man 
of sincere religious views and a member of the 
Methodist E|)iscopal Church. He married Martlia 
Durrett, a native of Virginia, and tbej' had eight 
children, of whom seven are living. 

Charlie Woods liad but limited school advantages 
as there were no free schools in Virginia when he 
was young. He attended school in his early boy- 
hood days in an old log schoolhousc and had to sit 
all day long on an uncomfortable slab seat. At the 
age of eighteen years he left the scenes of his child- 
hood, ambitious to see something of the world and 
to find a broader field for his energies than was 
offered in his early home. Coming to Sangamon 



County he sought and found work by the month as 
a farm hand. He was employed by one man for 
six years and by another two years. He was faith- 
ful to his emploj-ers' interests and he wisely saved 
up his earnings that he might become more inde- 
pendent, and while yet a farm laborer began trad- 
ing in stock, buying and soiling, and in that way 
got a good start in life. He now owns a fine farm 
of eighty acres which is under excellent tillage and 
he is still quite extensively engaged in buying and 
shipping stock, and has already placed himself 
among the substantial men of the township. 

By his marriage February 26, 1884, to Miss Mat- 
tie Carpenter, daughter of a wealthy farmer of 
Fancy Creek Township, our subject secured the ac- 
tive co-operation of one who has been an important 
factor in bringing about his prosperity. In their 
cozy home three children have been born to them: 
Lulu B., Carroll C, and Herbert S. 

Mr. Woods is a popular young man and stands 
high in the community. He has taken no unim- 
portant part in the public life of Fancy Creek 
Township, of which he is now Collector, and he has 
held the office of Assessor. That he has been 
elected to these offices in a township strongly 
Republican, while he is an ardent Democrat, shows 
the confidence and esteem in which he is held. He 
belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a member 
of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. 



ANIEL STALEY is successfully pursuing 
farming on the fertile soil of Loami Town- 
ship, and his skill and thoi'ough, practical 
knowledge of agriculture in all its branches have 
made him no unimi)ortant factor in preserving 
Sangamon County's prosperity, which his pioneer 
sire had aided in establishing on a solid foundation. 
Our subject was born on the farm which is still 
his home February 10, 1841, and is a son of the 
late well-known Daniel Staley, one of the early set- 
tlers of this section of Illinois. The father was 
born in 1799 in Eastern Mrginia. During some 
period of his life he removed to Cabell County, in 
what is now West Virginia. In 1826 he came to San- 



684 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



gamon County, makino; the entire trip across the 
rough, wild country by wagon in about six weeks. 
He located on section 9, Loami Township, where 
he purchased a small farm and entered consider- 
able land. Wlien he came his financial means were 
limited, but in the years of toil, hardships and 
sacrifices that followed he prospered, and finally 
became the owner of twelve hundred and fifty 
acres of fine farming land. He rounded out an 
honorable life in 1883, at the age of eighty-four 
years, and his memory is now cherished as that of 
one of our most active and useful pioneers. He 
was a son of Jacob Staley, who fled from Holland 
to America to escape religious persecution and set- 
tled in Virginia, where he passed his remaining 
} ears. 

Tiie mother of our subject was in her maiden 
days Rebecca Bowen, and she was born in North 
Carolina. She removed to Virginia with her par- 
ents, and was there married to the father of our 
subject. She died in Illinois in 1847, at the age 
of forty-five years. Four of her nine children are 
living. After her death Mr. Staley was married 
to Miss Nipper. 

Daniel Staley ,who forms the subject of these lines, 
was born in a log house and received his education 
in tiie primitive log schoolhouses of earlj^ times, 
which were conducted on the subscription plan 
and had slab seats, puncheon floors, and were heated 
by the fire in an old-fashioned fireplace. He early 
became conversant with farming, and at the age 
of twenty years adopted that calling for his life 
work. He now has a farm of two hundred and 
forty acres that is complete in all its appointments. 
is supplied with fine farming machinery and its 
fields are well tilled. It is finel}' adapted to stock- 
raising purposes, and Mr. Stale}' makes a S|)ecialty 
of that business. 

Among the most important events which are to 
be recorded in the life of our subject is his mar- 
riage with Miss Elsie J. Hudson, which was cele- 
brated March 7, 1861. Mrs. Staley is a native of 
this township and a daughter of Young M. Hud- 
son, a native of Virginia, who was an early settler 
of Sangamon County. The following eight chil- 
dren have been born to our subject and his wife: 
Ada L., wife of Willis C. Park, a farmer of Loami 



Township; Arno V.; Alice D., deceased; Joe D. 
and William Y., twins; Noiah J., deceased; Bertha 
Mary; and Lela May, deceased. 

Our subject's career has been alike honorable to 
himself and to his township, and he is justly re- 
garded as one of our most desirable citizens. His 
liberality and public spirit have helped forward 
many worthy causes that have enhanced the pros- 
perity of his community. Socially, he has been a 
member of the iSIasonic fraternity for twenty-five 
years. Politically-, the Democratic party finds in 
him a. stanch advocate. His earnest religious 
nature finds expression in the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian faith, and both he and his wife are among 
the leading members of the church of that denomi- 
nation, which he has served faithfully as an Elder 
for several years. 



f[_^ARNESS SOUTH WICK, a native of San- 
\'l gamon County, coming of good old pioneer 
stock and one of the prosperous farmers of 
Woodside Township, is prominent in the 
political, social and religious life of this section of 
the country and is one of its most esteemed citi- 
zens. His father was the late James L. South- 
wick, who was a native of New York. He married 
Lovica Trumbo, who was a native of Kentucky. 
Their marriage took place in Sangamon County, 
whither they had been brought when children, 
their parents being among the first settlers of the 
county. They began their wedded life in AVood- 
sifle Township, and made their home here till 
death called them hence — the father dying about 
1870, and the mother in 187C, while on a visit to 
her children. The}- had a large family of children, 
eight of whom lived to maturity. 

Our subject was the fourth child of the family 
and was born in the pioneer home of his parents 
in Woodside Township, November 3, 1837. He 
grew to a stalwart, manly manhood and early in 
life entered upon his career as a farmer. He has a 
good farm of eighty acres finely located on section 
35, on which he has made many valuable im))rove- 
ments. Its fields are under excellent cultivation 




RE5IDEUCE0F G. B.TORRENCE, SEC. 12. COTTON H 1 LL TR SANGAMON CO. 1 LL. 




RESIDENCE OE ROBERT M ARTI N , SEC, 36. CLEAR LAKE TP SANGAMON CO. ILL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



68T 



and yield rich harvests in repayment for the tare 
expendeil upon them. Mr.^Soiithwicl\"is a]nian of 
keen intelligence and of progressive views, and lie 
carries on his operations after the best methods, so 
that he lias mado of farming a genuine success. 

Mr. Southfcick has long been promincntlj- before 
the public. His father before him took quite an ac- 
tive part in local aflfairs and was the first Assessor 
of Woodside Township. He was also connected 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church as one of its 
active working members. Our subject, in whom 
his fellow-citizens see a man of much capability, 
decision of character and sound judgment, has been 
called by them to represent Woodside Township as 
a member of the Board of Supervisors five differ- 
ent times, and by his conduct in that responsible 
position he has justified theirjciioice. He has taken 
a prominent part in political affairs and~is a man 
of enlightened public spirit who in whatever posi- 
tion he is placed strives to] forward the highest 
interests of his township and county. '[^ In him the 
Democratic party has a stalwart advocate. He is 
a member of the LTnited Brethren'Cliurch and his 
conscientious, upright; conduct" whether in public 
or private life testifies to his high character. 

, OBERT MARTIN. From lands across the 
sea many young men have come to swell 
^ \\\ the population of America and bear a 
vi^ worthy part in developing the resources 
of this country, which was to them the Mecca of 
all their hopes. One of this number is Robert 
Martin, whose portrait is presented in connection 
with this .sketch, and who. after some years spent 
in struggling with adverse circumstances, became a 
landowner in this county and entered upon the 
high road to a competence. His remunerative 
property consists of four hundred and sixty acres 
of excellent farm land in Clear Lake Township. A 
visitor to the spot will see there the evidences of 
thrift and prosperity, as the land has been well 
developed and supplied with adequate and substan- 
tial farm buildings and other improvements. 

Mr. >Lirtin is a son of William Martin, an Irish 
farmer who died in 1858, and of Margaret (Foley) 




Martin, who died in I8.0S. Their family consisted 
of five children, two of whom are now living. 
Their home was in County Down, Ireland, where 
the eyes of our subject opened to the light July 3, 
1840. His educational advantages were limited, 
his attendance at school including a period of but 
a few months, but with the wit and facility so 
characteristic of the natives of the Emerald Isle he 
has become practically well informed. His lack of 
book knowledge is counterbalanced by the education 
received through contact with his fellow-men, and 
by keen observation of their manners and methods, 
and study of their traits of character. 

Our subject was in his seventeenth year when he 
hade adieu to his native land and sailed from Bel- 
fast to the New World. After a voyage of five 
weeks he landed in New York City on the 27th of 
.lune, and remaining there but a short time went 
on to Newburg, Orange County. He spent a few 
days in that town searching for employment, and 
finding it in the vicinit}- worked until November, 
when he came West as far as Illinois. Mr. Martin 
hired out by the month on a farm and was steadily 
employed by one man for more than three years. 
He then began farming for himself on rented land, 
and in the spring of 1862 took up his abode in the 
vicinity of his present home. 

In July of that year he determined to enter the 
Union army, and for a little more than three years 
he bore a part in the arduous and dangerous duties 
of a soldier's life. His name was attached to the 
muster roll of Company' I, One Hundred and Four- 
teenth Illinois Infantry. He participated in the 
siege of Vicksburg, spending forty-seven days in 
front of that famous stronghold, and afterward 
bore a part in the battles of Jackson, (Miss), Gun- 
town, Jackson (Tenn.), Ra^'mond, Black River, 
Forest, Memphis and Mobile. In the intervals 
between these engagements he took part in various 
skirmishes, scouting expeditious and marches, and 
bore his part in the usual camp duties. The regi- 
ment to which he belonged had charge of the pon- 
toons at Montgomery, Ala., for some time prior to 
the cessation of hostilities, and Mr. Martin was ill 
there and lay in the regimental hospital a few days. 
He was mustered out at Vicksburg and dischai-ged 
at Camp Butler in August, 1865. 



688 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



After the war Mr. Martin was unable to do much 
for some time, but graduall\' regained his former 
strength. He farmed on shares until the fall of 
18GC, when he made his first purchase of land. He 
has added from time to time as circumstances 
allowed until his estate has reached the fine figure 
before noted and he stands upon a solid financial 
basis. This is the more creditable as he had but 
$10 when he arrived in Springfield, and .all that he 
now possesses has been won by hard labor, wise 
economy and a prudent use of his opportunities. 
In connection with general farming he raises cattle 
and swine in considerable numbers. 

The wife of our subject bore the maiden name of 
Caroline McCune. She was born November 19, 
1844, in this State, and is the daughter of John M. 
and Jane (Baker) McCune, old settlers of San- 
gamon County and natives of Kentucky. They 
are now residents of Rochester. Tlie marriage 
rites Ijetneen our subject and his estimable wife 
were solemnized at her home in Cooper Township 
August 28, 1867. The congenial union has been 
blessed by the birth of five children, but the par- 
ents mourn the death of their first-born, John W. 
The living members of their family circle are — 
Charles E., James A., Eva J. and Robert E. Mr. 
Martin always votes the straight Rejjublican 
ticket. He is a respected member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic and the Farmers' Mutual 
Benefit Association. A peaceable and law-abiding 
citizen, an energetic farmer, and a man who is 
kindly and considerate in his domestic and social 
relations, Mr. Martin has made man}- friends in his 
adopted country. 

Elsewhere in this volume the reader will find a 
view of the pleasant homestead of Mr. Martin. 



1? A]\IES M. HARRIS, a brave veteran of the 
late war is one of the leading farmers and 
stock-raisers of Loami Township. But few 
representatives of his class in this vicinity 
have better facilities for conducting agricultu- 
ral operations than our subject, who is the for- 
tunate proprietor of a farm that is in every respect 



one of the most valuable in this locality. Mr. 
Harris was born in this State May 22, 1844, his 
birthplace being in Macoupin County. 

William P. Harris, his father, was born in Green 
County, Ky., May 7, 1806. He came to Illinois 
and to this county in the winter of 1831, bringing 
with him iiis young bride in a one-horse wagon. 
On his arrival at Waverly he had onl}' thirty cents 
in money, but he was stalwart, able and willing 
to work, and found no difficulty in obtaining 
employment. He stopped for some time in Mor- 
gan County, where he split rails at fifty cents a 
hundred in trade and thirty cents a hundred in 
cash. He finally removed to Macoupin County, 
where he invested the money he had earned in 
some land. A few 3^ef.rs later he located in Mor- 
gan County near Jacksonville, and a year or so 
after that moved to a farm on Indian Creek. In 
the spring of 1852 he bought eighty acres of land 
on sections 28 and 29, in Loami Township, where 
he lived until 1878, when he removed to the town 
of Waverly. He is still residing there at the 
venerable age of eighty-four years, and is greatly 
respected by all who know him. He has served 
as Justice of the Peace for fifteen years. A man 
who has always striven to lead a religious life, he 
has for many years been a member of the Baptist 
Church and for a long period has been a Deacon 
thereof. Possessed of unusual sagacit}^, foresight 
and business capacity, he has always been jjromi- 
nent, and his counsel has been sought by many 
people who have profited by his advice. During 
his active life he acquired a valuable ijroperty and 
at one time owned twelve hundred acres of land in 
Loami Township until he divided it among his 
children. 

Mr. Harris has been twice married. His first 
Carriage w.as with the mother of our subject, 
whose maiden name was Melinda Miier. She was 
a native of Tennessee and died in 1851. She was 
the mother of eleven children, of whom six are 
living. The father remarried in 1852, Pollie C. 
Tinnin, a native of Ket>tucky, becoming his wife. 

Our subject had to go quite a distance to school 
during his boyhood, when he attended the subscrip- 
tion schools. He was a mere youth when the war 
broke out, and sometime before he attained his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AI-BUM, 



689 



inajorit}- he enlisted in tbe Sixteenth Illinois Cav- 
aliy, under Col. Teelnian. He took part in only 
two battles, one at Jonesville and the other at 
Powell's Valley, Va. He was captured b3' the 
enemy January 3, 1864, the entire battalion of 
three hundred and sixty men to which he belonged 
being then taken prisoners. He was conveyed to 
Richmond, thence to Andersonville, where he was 
confined for six months. He was subsequently 
removed to Florence, S. C, where he was paroled 
after having suffered the miseries of prison life 
eleven months. While he was in Andersonville he 
nearly starved, and was actuall}^ given up as dead 
at one time. He had scarcely any clothing, was 
barefooted and was sick from the effects of the 
miserable food provided for them by the rebels. 
After he was paroled he was sent to Charleston, 
S. C where he was placed on board a steamer and 
taken to Annapolis, Md., where he was given a 
thirt3'-days furlough and he returned home. He 
was honorably discharged from the army May 10, 
1865. 

After he returned home Mr. Harris resumed the 
occupation to which he had been bred, and has ever 
since conducted it ver\' |)rofitably and so as to 
place himself among the mone^'ed men of this part 
of the county. He is kindly and agreeable in his 
manners and is well liked throughout the entire 
community. He is a strong advocate of the Repub- 
lican party and takes an active interest in its suc- 
cess. He lias been a member of the Masonic 
order for twenty years, and for a long time has 
belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. He 
and his wife attend the Presbyterian Church, 
belonging to the Cumberland branch. Mr. Harris 
has one of the finest farms in this locality, compris- 
ing two hundred acres of the richest prairie land, 
which is under a high state of cultivation and yields 
large harvests. It is under excellent improvement 
and among its neat and attractive buildings is his 
handsome frame residence which he erected in 
1874. 

Shortly after leaving the army our subject was 
married to Mary E. Sturgis, the ceremony that 
made them one being performed August 24, 1865. 
Mrs. Harris is a native of Jackson County, 111., 
where she was born September 23, 1845. Her 



marriage with our subject has beenone of excep- 
tional happiness and has brought to them four'chil- 
dren, who they have named .as";" follows: Josie, 
William A.. Thomas C. and Mabel. 



pRnrg 




IntiENJAMIN F. McVEIGH. This gentleman 
'-"^ occupies 'a prominent station";among the 
farmers and stock-raisers of the county with 
whose interests he has been identified for 
more than thirty years. His estate is located on 
section 32, Clear Lake Township, and consists of 
two hundred and eighty-two acres of land, upon 
which all needful buildings have been erected and 
every improvement made which belongs to a well- 
regulated farm. The dwelling now occupied by 
the fainil}' is one of the fine farm houses, so many 
of which are to be seen in this locality, and was 
erected in 1867. 

Our subject is a native of Orange County, N. Y., 
born;September 4, 182,t, his parents, Brimson ,nnd 
Mary (Stanton) McVeigh, being likewise natives 
of the Empire State. The father was a farmer who 
spent his entire^life in Orange County, dying in 
1865 at the age of sixtj'-five ^years. The mother 
survived until 1877 and reached the age of seventy- 
l\ve years. She held membership in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. The paternal grandfather of 
our subject was Benjamin Mc^Veigh, who emigrated 
from Scotland prior to the Revolution, during 
which he acted as guard on the frontier. He died 
in 1829. The matern.al grandfather of our sub- 
ject was Richard Stanton, a prominent farmer in 
New York. 

The gentleman of whom we write was the recipi- 
eut of but limited schooling, as he lived in the 
country and had three miles to walk to school and 
had many home duties to perform, even in early 
boyhood when the usual chores of a farmer's home 
fell to his lot. After the death of his father he 
went to live with an uncle and when sixteen j^ears 
of age hired out to another man with whom he 
remained two years. He next went to New York 
Cit}' to learn house painting, but after working a 
year and a half found himself out of employment, 



690 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and finally hired out at -^4 per month to work on a 
farm. While painlinff he had received liat §25 a 
year. 

In 1847 yonns' McVeigh arranged to come West, 
a friend paying his w.ay to Buffalo and thence 
around the lakes to Chicago. He had hut $5 in 
money when he reached that place and that was due 
to his friend. His comrade was going to Spring- 
fieh), but was unable to pay our subject's fare to 
that cit}' and the latter therefore set out on foot. 
When he stopped for lodging he offered in pay- 
ment his §5 gold piece, which no one could change. 
When he reached Ottawa he offered the ferryman 
the usual fare to take him across the Illinois 
River but the ferr3Mnan could not make the correct 
change and refused to carry him, insisting that a 
j'oung man who had a §5 gold piece must have 
more money. Mr. Mc"\''eigh was determined to 
cross the river and so stripped off his clothing and 
holding it above the water with one hand swam 
the stream. The day was quite frosty and he was 
severely chilled and was sick for some time as a 
consequence. 

Mr. McVeigh reached SpringQeld after having 
walked two hundred and ten miles, sometimes hav- 
ing traveled forty-live miles in a day. He soon 
obtained employment on a farm at $10 a month 
and for several years labored as a farm hand. A 
few years after coming hither he was married and 
began housekeeping in a log cabin on Round 
Prairie, a short distance east of Springfield, where 
he sojourned five years. In the spring of 1858 he 
purchased a portion of his present farm and began 
to feel that he had indeed a habitation and a home. 
Mr. McVeigh has made a specialty of raising hogs 
and cattle and keeps good grades of both. He has 
brought his land up to a high state of jiroductive- 
ness and may well look with pride and gratitude 
upon the results of his labors. 

The estimable woman who has shared Mr. Mc- 
Veigh's cares and successes, his joys and his sorrows 
for nearly forty years, became his wife Febru- 
ary C, 1851, prior to which time she was known as 
Miss Eleanor P. Bishop. She was born near Syra- 
cuse, N. Y., in 1828, and is a daughter of Isaac G. 
and Mary (Hyde) Bishop, the former a native of- 
New York and the latter of Connecticut. Mr. and 



Mrs. Bishop came to this State in 1838. lived in 
Morgan County two jears and in Hancock County 
four years. They were on their way to this county 
to locate when Mr. Bishop was stricken by a fatal 
illness and breathed his last iu Menard County. 
Mrs. Bishop died in 1863. Both belonged to the 
Christian Church, and under their careful training 
tlieir daughter grew to a noble womanhood. Mrs. 
McVeigh was one in a family of ten children, two 
of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. McVeigh 
have had eiglit chiblren, two of whom — Charles M. 
and Georg'ianna — have been removed from them 
by the hand of death. The survivors are Mary E., 
wife of John D. Ridgeway, residents of Whiting, 
Jackson County, Kan.; Albert II.; Henry B. ; 
Franklin G.; Helen L., wife of Oscar L. James, of 
Rochester Township, this count}'; and Hattie W. 

Mr. McVeigh believes in the principles of Repub- 
licanism and never fails to support them with his 
vote when the ballot-box is open, and with his in- 
telligent exposition of them at all times. He is one 
of the many living in this section of the State who 
enjoyed the personal acquaintance of our revered 
martyred President, Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Mc- 
Veigh has been connected with the Masonic fra- 
ternity thirty years. He and his wife are Presby- 
terian in their religious faith but attend the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church as more convenient to their 
residence, and aid in its support. 




(,\\ ^I^ILLIAM C. CALDWELL. This gentle- 
man conducts the only flour and grist 
mill in Loami and is meeting with the 
success which he merits, turning out from his 
establishment products of excellent quality, such as 
have won a good reputation. Mr. Caldwell is 
one of those men who win success where others 
would fail and seem bound to prosper in whatever 
calling they engage. A casual observer might 
well conclude that such men are born to good 
luck, but to one more thoughtful their lives 
afford conclusive evidence that the}' study means 
and methods, wisely forecast the influence of cer- 
tain policies, and lay their plans accordingly. 




AARON MORGAN. 




.^ 



MR5. A. MORGAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



695 



Our suhjecL was born in Greene County, this 
State, JMaroh 16, 1835, and is one of the family of 
John and Mary Jane Caldwell. He obtained his 
education in the common schools and soon after 
he became of age began clerking in a store in 
Springfield. He subsequently embarked as a 
farmer in Chatham Township, where he still owns 
a large tract of valuable larming laud. He 
proved very successful as an agriculturalist, 
although he himself says that the profitable feature 
of his enterprise was the sale of fat hogs. Some 
five years since he took up his residence in Loami 
and gave his attention to the management of the 
flour and grist mill in which he is now carrying 
on a good trade. 

The interesting ceremony which gave Mr. 
Caldwell a wife and i\Iiss Sarah C. Baucom a 
husband took place January 14, 1864. Mrs. 
Caldwell was born in this county, November 16, 
1840, was carefully' reared and became well 
informed on general topics of interest and the 
various departments of woman's work. She thor- 
oughly understands the art of making home com- 
fortable and attractive, and draws around her a 
pleasant circle of acquaintances. Mr. Caldwell is 
a Democrat in politics. He has been identified 
with the Masonic fraternity for over five years. 

<^7 ARON MORGAN. This gentleman is one 
of the landmarks of pioneer times in this 




14 county, he having come hither in his 
childhood and having been an eye-witness 
to much of the development of this section. He 
has himself borne a part in the labors by which a 
tract which was only fit for the haunts of wild 
beasts and savages, has Ifeen made beautiful and 
productive and suited to the habitation of a highly 
civilized community. Sterling traits of character 
and sturdj' habits are developed in the frontier 
scenes where families are drawn more closely 
together by the ties of common interest than in 
older communities and thickly populated coun- 
tries. 

The parents of our subject were Chailes and 



Elizabeth (Constant) Morgan, both of whom were 
born in the Old Dominion. Their marriage was 
solemnized in Fleming County, Ky., in 1807, and 
in March, 1814, they took up their residence in 
Clermont County, Ohio. There our subject was 
born March 3, 1816. In October, 1826, the family 
ina<le the journey to this county, where Aaron grew 
to maturity amid the surroundings of a pioneer 
farmer's home. In 1834 he became the owner of 
his first real estate, a tra,ct of forty acres in Mechan- 
icsburg Township. To this he added from time to 
time until he held the title to more than six hun- 
dred acres, including the spot where his father's 
family had camped on their arrival here, while 
building their cabin home. 

Mr. Morgan has lived on the home farm contin- 
uousl}' for half a century. He occupies an old- 
fashioned roomy house, whose very exterior gives 
promise of comfort to all who enter its hospitable 
doors. Few of those old ancestral homes have 
been left by the advancing tide of modern ideas. 
Mr. Morgan has divided his attention between the 
cultivation of the cereals, for which the climate and 
soil of this section are so well adapted and the 
raising of various kinds of stock. In both branches 
of agriculture he has been successful, as his fine 
estate proves. 

The cherished companion of Mr. Morgan was 
born in Brown County, Ohio, in June, 1821, and 
bore the maiden name of Matilda Shinkle. At the 
time of her marriage with our subject she was a 
widow, her first husband having been Simpson Mc- 
Daniel. The marriage rites between her and Mr. 
IMorgan was solemnized January 12, 1837. Mr. 
and Mrs. Morgan have had eleven children, five of 
whom are now living, four in this county and one 
in Missouri. They have thirteen grandchildren, 
one of whom Anna Moon, has been with them since 
her childhooil. ]\Ir. Morgan, after his marriage, 
brought his wife to their home, a log house 18x20 
feet, without doors or windows, and in that humble 
abode they commenced housekeeping. They were 
troubled greatly by wild animals and at one time 
were attacked by a number of catamounts, Mr. 
Morgan killing three before (ia^iight. 

In the midst of the personal labors which he has 
performed. Mr. Morgan has fouml time to serve 



696 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his fellow-citizens for many jears as a School Di- 
rector and School Trustee, giving proof of his 
ability and interest in the advancement of the 
cause of education. He lias also for a long period 
of time been a Cemetery Director. He is convinced 
of the justice of the princijjles laid down in the 
Democratic platform and exercises the right of 
suffrage in belialf of the candidates who are pledged 
to support them. For sixty years he 1ms been a 
member of the Metiiodist* I'^jjiscopal Church and 
during that time has always been found to be earn- 
est in liis endeavor to live in accordance with the 
precepts of Christianity. His estimable wife shares 
with him in the esteem of a large circle of friends, 
who will welcome the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. 
Morgan as valuable additions to this volume. 



■'";a x: " < ' 



^U^ 



'm 



Vw) OHN UPTON is a valued resident in Clear 
Lake Township and is quite widely known 
in this and adjoining counties, having for 
five years been engaged in milling in differ- 
ent localities, getting out timber for railroad pur- 
poses. The farm upon which he resides consists 
of seventy-seven acres of fine land, and althougli 
not so large as many estates in the township is 
capable of producing crops of sufficient value to 
insure the comfort of our subject and his family 
and allow him to lay aside something for a rainy 
day. It is furnished with all necessary improve- 
ments, among them being a cozy and attractive 
residence that was erected in 1874. 

Our subject is a son of James Upton wbo was 
born in Monroe County, Va., and removing to 
Indiana in 1837 settled on a farm. He held 
various local offices, among them those of Town- 
ship Trustee and Justice of the Peace and was re- 
garded as an honor to the community. He breatlied 
his last in 1860 at the age of lift}' years, altliough 
his father, Loyde L^pton, had lived to the venera- 
ble age of ninety-eight. The wife of James Upton 
and jnother of our subject, is Sally (Bracken) Up- 
ton, a native of the Hoosier State who is still living 
and is now about sixty-eight years old. She is a 



Methodist in religious belief, earnest and zealous, 
and one who has ever enfleavored to live aright. 
She is the mother of four living children and two 
who have crossed the river of death. 

The gentleman of whom we write was born in 
Boone County, Ind., February 7, 1840. About 
the first noise he remembers is the howling of 
wolves in the vicinity of the log cabin which was 
tlie family home. The little schooling which he 
received was obtained in the old-fashioned log 
sclioolhouse and comprised a period of not more 
than twenty-three months which extended over the 
years from the time he was five until he was twenty. 
A lover of learning and a lad of determined spirit 
he bought books and studied at home, thus fitting 
liimself for the profession of a teacher and what- 
ever else lay before him in the future. 

Until he was sixteen years old our subject as- 
sisted in farm labors and he then began teaching, 
his labors as a pedagogue commencing on the last 
day of 186G and continuing until 1865. Until 
1SC3 he remained in his native State where he is 
still remembered as a successful and earnest in- 
structor who imparled to liis pupils his own love 
of learning and desire for knowledge. In 1863 he 
came to this count}' where he spent the ensuing 
two years in professional labors, then located on a 
farm in Meehanicsburg Township. A year later 
he rented land in Rochester Township, operating it 
until 1873 when he made his first purchase of real 
estate, being his present home in Clear Lake Town- 
ship. Ten years later he added to his property, 
upon which in the meantime he had made many 
valuable improvements. 

The interesting ceremony which united the lives 
and fortunes of Mr. Uiiton and Miss Permelia A. 
Duncan was performed July 3, 1861, Carrollton, 
CanoU County, Ky. The bride was a native of 
the Blue Grass State and is a well-informed, capable 
Christian woman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Upton be- 
long to the Methodist Episci)pal Church. Soon 
after the breaking out of tlie Civil War Mr. Upton 
enlisted in Company A, Tenth Indiana Infantry, 
but was rejected, not being able to pass the re- 
quired physicial examination. He did what he 
could to aid the Union cause by joining the Union 
Leatrue and exerting his personal influence in he- 



PORTRA-IT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



697 




half of the old flag. He never fails to vote the 
Republican ticket and has served as a delegate to 
county conventions and otheiwise aided the party. 
In 1880 he was a candidate for the office of Clerk 
of the Circuit Court and ran some distance ahead 
of his ticket. This fact is indicative of his personal 
popularity and the esteem in which he is held. He 
has served eflSciently as Township Supervisor two 
terras. 



bHOMAS S. PARKS, President of the Au- 
burn Bank, a private institution, is a widely- 
known and intluenlial citizen of this county, 
who has. been potent in advancing its financial 
standing, and in elevating its social and religious 
status. He is a son of Beaumont Parks, who was 
born in January, 1775, in Norwich, Conn. He was 
left an orphan at the age of twelve years, and being 
a bright ambitious lad resolved to educate him- 
self. In order to oldain the means for attending 
school he began trading with the French-Canadians 
and Indians. In company with his brother-in-law, 
the Rev. Mr. Bacon, father of Leonard Bacon, D. D., 
of New Haven, Conn., he worked his way through 
the rivers and lakes from Vermont to the region of 
Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. As winter ap- 
proached he commenced building a house with the 
intention of living in it until spring. He was dis- 
covered by Col. Dunham, commander of theLTnited 
States fort at Michilimaekinac. The Colonel was 
astonished at seeing a boy of fourteen or fifteen 
years preparing to winter alone in that inhosjiitable 
region and inquired what was his object in doing- 
so. On being told by young Parks that he was 
trying to raise money to defray the expenses of an 
education, Col. Dunham offered him a home in his 
own family with the [iromise of assisting him in 
his purpose. He accepted the kind proposition, 
went to the fort and remained there with his bene- 
factor three or four years. 

During that time Jlr. Parks saved his earnings 
until he had accumulated about 880. He then ex- 
pressed his determination to set out for college, and 
Col. Dunham sent some friendly Indians to aceom- 
panv hiu) a part of the distance. He traveled in 



a birch-bark eanoe through the upper lakes and 
portions of Canada, and thence eastward. When 
he had gone about tno-thirds of the way he was 
taken sick with small- pox and was compelled to 
travel alone until he could find shelter, although he 
was then in a country' more or less settled by white 
men. At Montreal a French Canadian look him in 
and nursed him for nearly .a month until he was 
able to pursue his journey. His savings were now 
reduced to about A30, but his hospitable friend 
would not take anything for his troulile. His ex- 
hausted condition required the expenditure of more 
money, and when he arrived at his destination his 
mouev had all vanished, and thus after traveling a 
distance of sixteen hundred miles he found himself 
at Dartnnnith College, a stranger anii destitute. 
Yet he boldly knocked at the doors of that insti- 
tution of learning for admittance an<l was taken in. 
That was about the year 171)8. By diligent study 
while in the family of Col. Dunham he was enabled 
to teach the lower branches and after entering col- 
lege he made arrangements to continue teaching 
in the summer while he pursued his studies in the 
winter, and while teaching he still managed to keep 
up with his class. He was enabled to defray his 
expenses with some aid furnished by Col. Dunham, 
and in that wny went through college on equal 
terms with Levi Woodbury and Daniel Webster, 
the former of whom was his classmate, and otlier 
world-wide celebrities. 

After passing through college, the father of our 
subject entered the law-oHice of .Judge SUde, of 
Middleburj', Vt., and in due time was admitted to 
the bar. He was married in 1811 at Windsor, \'t., 
to Nancy C'onant, a native of that town. Her 
father, Stephen Conant, entered the Continental 
arm}' during the Revolution when he was but four- 
teen years of age, and became one of Gen. Wash- 
ington's bodyguard. After the war he was engaged 
in the manufacture of saddles, harness and trunks 
in Windsor and died there at the ripe olrl age of 
eighty-six years. Mrs. Parks departed this life ut 
Cerro Gordo, 111., September 11, 186.5, after a long 
and happy wedded life of sixty-four ^•cars. 

Mr. Parks acquired a large and lucrative practice 
in the legal profession in which he continued ten 
years. Then, however others m.ay think, he became 



698 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



convinced that it was impossible to be a successful 
lawyer and a llioroiighly honest man, and that with 
other causes induced him to abandon his profession 
and move wcstwaril. In August, 1821, he went to 
Madison, Ind., where he opened an academy for 
the education of young men which was noted as 
being one of the earliest institutions of the kind 
established west of the Alleghany Mountains and 
was probably the first school in Indiana where the 
Greek and Latin languages were taught. His school 
was attended by many who have become distin- 
guished at the bar, on the bench and in the councils 
of the nation, sucli as the Hendricks, SuUivans, 
Brights. Slieets, Cravens, and many others. After 
ten years of successful teaching in Madison, Mr. 
Parks was appointed Professor of Languages in 
the Indiana State University at Bloomington, and 
held that position about seven years. 

In tiie autumn of 1840 Mr. Parks came to Spring- 
field, 111., and oi)ened a private school, or academy, 
which was generally supported by all the leading 
citizens and many of its students have become dis- 
tinguished in tae learned professions, in )iolitics and 
business. He continued actively engaged in teach- 
ing in that city for nearly twenty 3'ears, when the 
infirmities of old age caused him to relinquish his 
beloved profession. He still continued to reside in 
Springfield for some years after his retirement, and 
then spent the remainder of his days with iiis chil- 
dren. He was active and energetic and retained in 
a remarkable degree his mental faculties until iiis 
death April 8, 18V0, without an hour's sickness, at 
the home of his son. Judge S. C. Parks at Lincoln, 
111. His mortal remains were tenderly laid to rest 
in the cemetery at that place. 

Of the nine children born to Prof. Parks and 
his amiable wife, the following seven grew to ma- 
turity : Susan, who married John Bennett, who died 
at Liberty, Mo., in March 1852; Nancy C, a resi- 
dent of Auburn and the widow of Joseph E. 
McMurray, who died at Cerro Gordo; Judge Sam- 
uel C, an altorncy at Winfield, Cowley County, 
Kan.; Thomas S.; Eliza A., who married Stephen 
Conklin and died in 1859 at Leroy, IMcLean County, 
111.; William J., who died in Springfield at the age 
of ten years; and Laetetia, who married Dr. Al- 
bert II. Lan|)hear and died at Atcliison, Kan. Judge 



Parks served for many years as Territorial Judge, 
probably holding that ollice for a longer term than 
any other man, he having been appointed by Lin- 
coln, Judge of the United States Court of Idaho. 

Thomas S. Parks, the subject of this biographical 
review was born in Madison, Jefferson County, 
Ohio, on the Ohio River. May 22, 1822. When 
ten years of age he accompanied his parents to 
Bloomington, Ind. He early showed marked abil- 
ities as a scholar and does not remember the time 
when he could not read or write, and he had pecu- 
liarly favorable opportunities for obtaining an 
education under the instruction of his learned 
father. He was not eleven years old when he en- 
tered the university at Bloomington and began 
studying the languages. He was a student at that 
institution for several years and became ampl}' fit- 
ted for any vocation that he might care to pursue. 
He launched into the mercantile world as a sales- 
man at Bloomington, where he remained until 
1841, when he came to Springfield by stage, it tak- 
ing four days to make the trip. He clerked a few- 
months in Springfield, and then entered the learned 
prt)fessions as a teacher, and for ten years taught 
in different parts of the county, and also in the 
adjacent counties of Morgan, Cass and Menard. 
In 1852 he abandoned teaching, and purchasing a 
farm in Auburn Township, gave his attention tu its 
improvement, and in the course of time developed 
a valuable estate from the wild land. He pursued 
farming and stock-dealing very successfully, and in 
time became the owner of three hundred and fifty 
acres of choice land. 

September 3, 1868, Mr. Parks located in the vil- 
lage of Auburn, and actively engaged in buying 
and shipping stock, he being one of the largest and 
most extensive shippers in the county, and making 
two trips a week to Chicago, in pursuance of his 
business. In the month of Jnnuary, 1877, he 
bought a half interest in the Auburn Bank and in 
April of that year became proprietor of the whole 
bank, which has ever since been under his manage- 
ment. He is doing a fine business on a solid basis, 
paying exclusive attention to his banking interests. 
He lias built a commodious residence here, and has 
nine and one-half acres of land in the city besides 
other valuable property. He is a man of sound, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



699 



common sense, possessing a keen judgment in 
regard to business matters, and an especial talent 
for finances that has given him a higli standing 
in monetary- circles. He is a iiigh-toned gen- 
tleman, whose honor and integrity are unimpeach- 
able. Of a sincerely religious nature, he is one of 
the leading members of the Second Advent Churcli. 
to whose interests he is thoroughly devoted. He 
is a Trustee and was a member of the building 
committee when the churcli was built, serving as 
Secretary and Treasurer, until the edifice was paid 
for. He has borne a conspicuous part iu its every 
good work and was Superintendent of the Sunday- 
scliool for ten years. Politically he is a stanch 
Republican, and cast his first vote for President 
for Henry Clay. He was for a long time a Central 
Coramittee-man.and for many years was a delegate 
to county conventions. He is a strictlj' temperate 
man and does not use tobacco or liquor in any form 
or even indulge in coffee or lea. 

ISIr. Parks was married in Auburn Township, 
October 23, 1851, to Miss Nancy C. Poley. Mrs. 
Parks was born in Mnhlenburg County, Ky., March 
24, 1828. Her father was Joseph Poley, wlio was 
born February I, 1802, in Logan County, Ky. Her 
grandfather, Charles Poley, was a native of Paris, 
France, and was educated there in a theological 
institution with the view of becoming a minister 
in the Lutheran Church. When he came to America 
he abandoned the idea of entering the rainistr3', 
married, and followed farming in Logan County, 
K3'. He subsequently removed to Mnhlenburg 
County in the same State. The family name was 
formerly spelled Pouley, but has been changed by 
the American branch. 

Joseph Poley was married in Mnhlenburg County, 
Ky., November -20, 1825, to Hannah Cossett, and 
came to Sangamon Count3', 111., in the autumn of 
1829, locating in Anburn Township. His first wife 
died in 1832, and he was married a second time in 
this countj- November 6. 1834, taking Frances 
Gates as his wife. He became one of the most 
successful and extensive farmers of this section of 
the country, and the owner of some three thousand 
acres of land, all in one body in this county. He 
was Justice of the Peace for years and was a prom- 
inent and popular man, and at his death August 17, 



1866, one of the most useful and honored pioneers 
of this region passed to eternal rest. 

Mrs. Parks was reared and educated in this 
county. Her marriiige with our subject has been 
blessed to them bj' the birth of four children: 
Laetetia, Samuel C, Minnie A., and Mary L. 
Laetetia is a graduate of the Female College at 
Jacksonville. She was married to W. II. Charlis, a 
hardware merchant of Enterprise, Ore.; Minnie A., 
and Mary L. who are at home with their par- 
ents are graduates of the Monticello Seminary. 
Samuel C. is a graduate of Ann Arbor, Mich., 
where be obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science. 
After leaving that university he studied two j'ears 
at Halle, Germany. He is now a stock-holder and 
Vice-President of a bank at Lander, Fremont Coun- 
ty, Wjo., and is one of the most prominent men 
of that State. He has frequently been solicited to 
fill some of the highest offl(;es in Wyoming but has 
refused on account of his business, and does not 
aspire to any political position. 



^^ 




ARNER H. CORRELL is one of the pro- 
Nll gressive farmers and honored citizens of 
Cartwright Township where he has a pleas- 
ant home. His farm comprises one hundred and 
fifty-two acres on section 25, and one hundred and 
eleven acres on section 36. He has made farming 
and stock-raising his life work and these occupa- 
tions have been the business of his family through 
several generations. His father, Thomas Correll, 
who was born in Frankfort, Ky., was a teamster 
and farmer and in his native State wedded Sarah 
McDaniels who was born about eighteen miles from 
Frankfort. They came to Sangamon County in 
1830, and have here since made their home, the 
husband being now eighty-three years of age, while 
the wife is in her eightieth year. He owns five 
hundred acres of land in the county and is now 
living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former 
toil. The union of Jlr. and Mrs. Correll has been 
blessed with eight children and the family circle 
yet remains unbroken. Margaret, the eldest, is the 
wife of Edwin Toralin, a large landowner of Cart- 



700 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



wiiuj-iit Township; William Fletcher who married 
Fannie Purvines, is a farmer of lUiopolis, 111.; 
David Simpson who wedded Lizzie Peden, is also a 
farmer of Illiopolis; Warner H. of this sketch is 
the next in order; Cornelins. County Judge of Ver- 
non County, Mo., has been three times married, his 
present wife having been Addie Epler; John who 
married Lydia Doolittle is a farmer of Dawson, 
Sangamon County ; Levi .S. is a practicing physici.an 
of Dawson; and Frances is the wife of Isaac Funk, 
of McLean Count}-, 111. 

Warner IL Correll was born on M.\v ). 1837, near 
Dawson, 111., and was reared to manhood upon his 
father's farm. He entered upon his business career 
.as a school teacher but followed that profession 
onl}' a short time. His life work has been farming, 
in which pursuithe embarked immediately after his 
marriage, which octurreil in 1867. The lady of 
his choice was Miss Annie Simpson of Tallula, III., 
daughter of George Simpson, but she survived her 
mairiageonly fourteen months. The present wife 
of Mr. Conell was in her maidenhood Miss Eliza- 
beth Sinclair, daughter of Samuel and Myra A. 
(Rucker) .Sinclair, the former a native of Tennes- 
see, while the latter was born near Lexington, Ky. 
The Rucker family was originallj' of P^rench origin 
but became intermingled with German and Irish 
families. The Sinclairs were from Scotland and 
members of the family settled in A'irginia during 
the earl}' da^'s of its history. The}' .ire also num- 
bered among the pioneer settlers of Kentucky and 
Tennessee and at an early day the parents of Mrs. 
Correll came to Illinois, both with their respective 
families. By a former marriage, Mr. Sinclair was 
tlie father of one child, Sarah, who is now the wife 
of John Beggs of Cass Count}', 111. Mrs. Sinclair 
had also been previously married, and by her first 
husband. Page Williams, had three children — John 
R.. wlio died in the army ; Ellen, wife of J. E. 
Simpson of Ottawa, Kan.; and Newton R., a resi- 
dent of San Luis, Obispo County, Cal. Of the 
f(jur children of the family to which Mrs. Correll 
belongs, she is the eldest. Samuel W. the next 
younger wedded Mary Bowers and is living in Cass 
County; Mary became the wife of Levi Letterman 
who died leaving seven children; and William O. 
who married Eva Tomlin resides in Cass County. 



Six children grace the union of JMr. and Mrs. 
Correll: Thomas S., Samuel W., Essie M., Ralph 
B., Sally and Myra E. The parents are both mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church, in which Mr. Correll 
serves as Trustee, and are earnest consistent Chris- 
tians. Their home is the abo<le of hospitality and 
filled with happiness, sunshine and love. The chil- 
dren are intelligent and well bred and in them the 
parents may feel a just pride. Socially JNIr. Correll 
is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Associ- 
ation of Cartwright Township and for about six 
years has served as School Director. The district 
of which he has charge furnishes the best school in 
the township, which in a large measure is due to 
his effective and earnest service. Our subject's 
father and mother celebrated their sixtieth anni- 
versary the 7th of October, 1889. 



\t] AMES A. TRIMBLE. Although he has not 
yet completed the ascent of the sunny side 
of the hill of life, this gentleman has risen 
to a positif)n of considerable prominence in 
Curran Township, being one of those who reach 
out beyond the walls of their own home in ad- 
vancing the public weal. Having determined to 
pursue the calling of a farmer, lie has beeri ener- 
getic in prosecuting his work, ever ready to take 
advantage of new ideas which, after due coiisiiiera- 
tion, promise to be bencBeial. He is now located 
on section 26, and is operating one hunilred and 
fifty acres of good land, dividing his attention 
betvT-een general farming and stock-raising. 

Mr. Trimble was born in Curian Township July 
27, 1846, reared on a farm and educated in the 
district schools. His parents, George and Lydia 
(Shumate) Triable, are represented in this volume 
and to their sketch we refer the reader for the 
ancestral history. Our subject began his personal 
career when he reached his majority, by renting 
land from his father. He carried out the theoret- 
ical knowledge which he had gaineil and made 
good use of the practical experience which had 
befallen him as an inmate of his father's house- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



701 



holfl, reaping a due reward for his labors. In the 
fall of 1870, he located where he is now resldin":. 

The bride of Mr. Trimble was Mis.? i\Iary A. 
Barbre, a daughter of William Barbre, whose liis- 
tory may be found on another page in this Ai.ium. 
She was born in Curran Township, was well edu 
cated in the public schools, and under careful home 
training developed graces of character and acquired 
a knowledge of household affairs which make her a 
ple.asing and capable companion. The marriage 
rites of Mr. and Mrs. Trimble were solemnized 
October 13, 1870. Their home is brightened by 
the presence of an interesting group of children, 
named respectively: Lucy Jane, Thomas Oscar, 
George William and Martha Alice. 

During the |)ast six years Sir. Trimble has been 
serving as School Director, and he now holds the 
position of Township School Trustee. To him is 
due the f)rganization of the Farmers' Mutual 
Benefit Association, in Curran. He engaged a 
speaker and set the time for a meeting, which 
resulted in the founding of a lodge, of which he is 
now treasurer, lie also belongs to the Anti-Horse- 
Thief Association, with headquarters at Chatham. 
In fact he is interested in whatever is brought before 
the public .as advantageous, particularly to the 
agricultural cl.iss. His political adherence is given 
tc> the Democratic jjarty, and his religious belief is 
that expounded in the Christian Church. 



■^OHN C. DORRELL. This name will be at 
once recognized by many of our readers as 
that of a prominent and influential resident 
of Buffalo. He was for a number of years 
connected with the agricultural labors of the 
county, and became well known ami highly re- 
garded for his progressive ideas in all matters per- 
taining to the cultivation of the soil. In Nc>vember, 
1888, he leased his farm lands, bought and fur- 
nished a residence in Buffalo, and moved into it 
with the intention of enjoj'ing the best that life can 
give, as he had been prospered in basket and store. 
John W. Dorrell was born in Kentucky, April 8, 
1818, and Paulina Bowman in 1820. After hav- 



ing grown to maturity, this couple united their 
lives and fortunes, and until November, 1855, lived 
on a farm in their native State. They then came 
to this county and established their home in Clear 
Lake Township, near Wolf Creek. T' wo years later 
they removed to Lake Fork Township, Logan 
County, but after a sojourn of two years returned 
to this county, and made a permanent settlement in 
lUiopolis Township. Their family includes five 
living children and three who have crossed the 
river of death. 'J'he survivors are our subject, 
George Jefferson, Sarah Jane, Benjamin and La- 
vinia. George is now in business in Decatur, this 
State; Sarah lives in Chicago, being the wife of 
.lames T. Kent. The other brother and sister of 
our subject remain under the paternal roof. 

John C. Dorrell, of whom we write, was born in 
Rock Castle County, Ky., September 30, 1844. He 
was reared amid the usual surroundings of farm 
life, and under circumstances that developed in him 
habits of industry and practical observation of that 
whicli was going on about him. He attended the 
public schools, acquiring a good knowledge of the 
branches usually taught, and prepared his mind for 
more extended culture in future years. He began 
his life as a farmer in this county, then went to 
Christian County, where he bought forty acres of 
land, making it his home four years. 

Trading that property for eighty acres in this 
county, Mr. Dorrell began the improvement of his 
new estate, which he occupied five years. He next 
bought two hundred and forty acres in Wheatfield 
Township, took possession of it and began to im- 
prove the farm, laying tile and otherwise preparing 
to raise good crops. Six years later the farm was 
increased to a half-section by the purchase of eighty 
acres adjoining. It is a fine piece of land, posses- 
sing the depth of soil and natural strength that 
makes this part of the Mississippi Valley famous. 
Tnder the intelligent management of Mr. Dorrell 
it has yielded abundant returns for the labor ex- 
pended upon it. 

Mr. Dorrell was fortunate in his clioice of a life 
companion, winning Mrs. Elizabeth Bowman, a 
native of this county, and a daughter of B. Frank 
Haley, a farmer in Cotton Hill Township. The 
marriage rites were celebrated Februaiy 1, 1872. 



702 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Mr?. Dorrell presides with dignity and grace in the 
luxurious Iiome which is a favorite gathering place 
for tlie intellectu:il and refined people of Buffalo 
and vicinity. Mrs. Dorrell has been a member of 
the Christian Church since her girlhood, and with 
the same religious body her husband lias been iden- 
tified some eighteen years. 

The natural ability of Mr. Dorrell and his inter- 
est in the welfare of mankind have been duly recog- 
nized by his fellow-men, who have elected him to 
the ofKce of .Justice of the Peace, and made him a 
member of the School Board. In the former capac- 
ity he served seven years, giving general satisfac- 
tion b}' his judgments. As a member of the School 
Board he had a powerful effect in placing the schools 
on a solid foundation, and bringing them up to a 
model condition. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 3 1 , at Illiopo- 
lis. Mr. Dorrell is a man of broad information, as 
he takes a full line of papers and so keeps thor- 
oughly posted on general topics and current events. 
He is moreover a great reader of books, and is 
familiar with the best literature. 



ON. GEORGE W. MURRAY. The great 
political economist, John Smart Mill, has 
well said, "The worth of a State in the long 
run, is the worth of the inilividuals com- 
posing it." Therefore the life histories of the 
industrious, honorable and useful members of any 
community afford a clue to the value of the sec- 
tion, as well as present good examples for j'oung 
Tnen to follow. The gentleman named above pos- 
sesses some of the most sterling qualities of man- 
hood, and although his life has been marked by no 
event of particular excitement, is worthy of repre- 
sentation in a Biographical Album, and of the 
respect of his fellow-men. 

Mr. Murnay was born at Covington, Miami 
Coui.ty, Ohio, July 7, 1839. He is of mixed ances- 
trj', his grandfather Murray having been born in 
Ireland, but probably of Scottish parents, and his 
father having been a native of Pennsylvania. On 
the mother's side our subject is of German descent. 




The German language was adopted in the family 
of David Murray, and the son, our subject, spoke 
the language with his parents. His father and his 
uncles on his father's side were men of extraordi- 
nary constitutions and lived to a ripe old age, and 
they were also men of more than ordinary mental 
capacity. 

Mr. Murray obtained his education in the com- 
mon schools and in the High School of Dayton, 
Ohio, and so well did he spend his time that before 
he was of age he had become fitted for school 
teaching and was following that profession. In the 
year 1859 he taught at Mulberry Grove, Bond 
County, this State, and he afterward labored* for 
several years in the schools of Da\'ton, Ohio. He 
began the study of law in the office of Gen. 
Moses B. Walker of the latter city, in 1868, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1870. He was a mem- 
ber of the Citj' Council there from 1869 to 1872. 
In the same city, October 2, 1860, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Emma Neibert, a lady who is 
highly respected by all who know her. The union 
has been blest by the birth of five children: Ida 
May, Kate Lee, William Wharton, George Walter 
and Jacob Frederick. The older daughter is the 
wife of Samuel J. Haynes of Springfield, III. 

In 1874 Mr. Murray removed to this State, 
locating in Springfield, and at once entered upon 
the successful practice of his chosen profession. 
He is keen of perception, cool and grave in debate 
although inclined to perpetrate a dry joke occa- 
sionally which is all the more amusing for being 
presented in his inimitably droll manner. He is 
one of those cautious and deliberate men who 
seldom give way to the promptings of passion or 
avarice, and is noted for his strict honesty and his 
unimpeachable fidelity to all trusts confided to his 
keeping. His manners are courteous, his address 
pleasing and calculated to predispose strangers in 
his favor. 

Mr. Murray is a Democrat in political faith and 
is a shrewd politician without the reckless disre- 
gard of moral principles which sometimes char- 
acterizes the career of men of his opportunities 
and ability. In 1882 he was elected on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket to represent the Thirty-ninth District 
in the House of Representatives of Illinois. While 



'^- 




/^, ^^. 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



705 



serving in tlie General Assembly* he was always 
heard when questions of importance were under 
discussion. His constituents regarded him as one 
who worked earnestly for their benefit and who 
appreciated their needs. On April 15, 1890. the 
Hon. Geo. W. Murniy was nominated by the Dem- 
ocratic party of this count}- for the office of 
County Judge. He received a Tery flattering' vote 
in the convention and was eiec'ed by a plurality 
of two thousand and ninely-nine votes over his 
Rei)ublican competitor. 

The attractive residence of Mr. Murray is in 
West Springfield and for the past two years he has 
held the position of l^resident of that village. He 
is a member of Mie Independent Order of Odd- 
Fellows, but is not identified with any religious 
body. 

- <y^ - 

ilOBERT W. CURRY. Among the men who 
are engaijed in agriculture in Springfield 
Township, none are more useful in sustain- 
ing and extending its farming interests than 
its native-born citizens. Our subject is one of tiiese, 
and has a good farm on section 13, which he is cul- 
tivating with excellent results. He is the son of 
Robert J. Curr}-, a native of Virginia who was a 
pioneer settler of this part of Sangamon County. 
and assisted in its early development. The father 
was married in early manhood to Mary .1. Bracken, 
a native of Indiana. They came to Sangamon 
County in the early da\'s of its settlement, and 
established themselves among the pioneers of 
Springfield Township, where their remaining days 
were passed, she dying in 18C9 and he in 1873. both 
at advanced ages. 

Of the eight children born to that woi'thy couple, 
our subject is the seventh in order of birth. He 
opened his eyes to the world June 27, 1856, in the 
l>ioneer home of his parents in Springfield Town- 
ship, and here he was reared to a sturdy manhood, 
and gleaned his education in the common schools. 
He has always made his home in his native town- 
ship, and has given his attention to farming since 
the days of his youth. He owns one hundred and 
twenty acres of land, which is well located on sec- 



tion 13. The fertile soil under cultivation has been 
made to yield good crops and has all the necessary 
improvements for conducting farming operations. 

Mr. Curry was first married in Woodside Town- 
ship, March 1, 1888, Miss Emma S. Phillips, a 
native of Clear Lake Township, becoming his wife. 
What iiromised to be a happy wedded life was early 
brought to a close by the untimely death of the 
young wife November 20, 1883. The second mar- 
riage of our sulijeet, which w.as consummated in 
Clear Lake Township, September 30, 1886, was to 
Miss Bettie J. Mann, a daughter of Euriah and 
Eleanor Mann, of Clear Lake Township. Mrs. 
Curry is a native of that township, where her birth 
occurred June 17, 1867. She is well fitted to pre- 
side over a home and devotes herself to the care 
of her husliand and of their children, Robert L., 
Edna O. and Emma V. She is a woman of true 
Christian cliaracter and an active member of the 
Christian Church. 

Our sulijeet is a man of a pleasant, kindly dis- 
position, obliging in his relations with those about 
him, and is regarded with feelings of friendship by 
his neighbors. He is public spirited, doing all in 
his power to advance his native townshi|) and in 
his political affiliations is an ardent Democrat. On 
another page the reader will notice a lithographic 
portrait of Mr. Curry. 



OHN J. TOLON owns four hundred and 
twenty- one acres of the fine farming land 
for which Illinois is so noted. His home is 
/ situated on section 4, fiardner Township 
and his farm is one of the finest in the community, 
provided with all the needed improvements together 
with man}' ornamental ones, stocked with fine 
grades of horses and cattle, and divided into field.*, 
of convenient size whose rich fertility delight the 
eye of the passer-by and indicates that the owner is 
a man of thrift and enterprise. 

Mr. Tolou claims New Jersey .is the State of his 
nativity. He was born January 1, 1852, in Middle- 
sex County, gracing the union of Enos and Jo- 
hanna (Gary) Tolon, both of whom were natives of 



70B 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Ireland, the former born in Belfast, County Antrim, 
and the latter in Kings County. The grandfather 
was a stock-dealer of the p]merald Isle and Enos 
followed the same oeciipation. Emigr.ating to 
Amerie.a he settled in New Jersey, whence he shi|j- 
ped stock to New York City, doing an extensive 
business in that line. Accompanied by his family 
he removed to Illinois in 1863, locating in Mont- 
gomery Count}', where he purchased a farm. He 
resumed his old occupation and was e.'ctensively 
engaged in stock-dealing at the time of his death, 
of which occurred in the autumn of 1888, at the age 
seventy 3'ears. His wife still survives him and is 
living at the old homestead in Montgomery County. 
The three children of the family are John J., of 
this sketch; Margaret E., who is living with her 
mother; and P^nos C, a horse-dealer of Girard, 111. 

The first eleven years of his life our subject 
passed in the State of his nativity and then became 
a resident of Montgomery County, 111., where he 
worked upon his father's farm, iuanaging the busi- 
ness interests for some time. On October 21, 1879, 
he married Miss Sarah A. Garrett, who was born in 
Gardner Township, and is a daughter of Jolin and 
P.ridget (Burke) Garrett. Her father was born in 
County Limerick. Ireland, and made farming his 
chief occupation through life. The year 1837 wit- 
nessed his arrival in Newark, N. J., where he en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits for some time. Later 
he came to this county and at length purchased the 
farm which is now the home of our subject, where 
he spent his last days, dying in 1886, at the age of 
sixty-five years. His wife was born in Gallowa}' 
County, Ireland, in 182.0, of which county her 
father, Henry Burke, was also a native and a resi- 
dent farmer. She crossed the Atlantic to New 
York City in 1847, and after a year came to 
Springfield, where the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Garrett was celebrated. They were members of 
the Catholic Church and their only living child is 
Mrs Tolon. 

Our subject and his worthy wife began tlieir 
domestic life on the farm which is 3'et their home. 
Five children have come to bless their union, two 
sons and three daughters, namely : INIargaret, Mary, 
John G., Julia and Enos. The residence of the 
fiiraily is one of the finest in the township and all 



of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life 
add to the attractiveness of the home. Us mistress 
was educated in the I'rsuline Convent at Springfield 
and is an intelligent and refined lady. The genial 
disposition and courteous manner of Mr. Tolon has 
won him many friends, and the honesty which 
characterizes his every business transaction has se- 
cured him the confidence and good will of the 
entire community. 

The farm of our subject comprises four hundrod 
and twenty acres, one hundred and twenty of which 
are under cultivation, while the remaining three 
hundred are devoted to pasturage for his stock. He 
is among the most extensive stock-feeders in Gard- 
ner Township, raising from one hundred and fifty 
to two hundred head of hogs per j'car, seventy-five 
to one hundred head of cattle and about forty head 
of horses and mules. Living springs furnish an 
abundant supply of water and a windmill and tank 
are used in the distribution of this. All the im- 
provements necessary to a model farm of the nine- 
teenth century are there found and in connection 
witli his home farm of five hundred and sixty acres 
of improved land in Bois d' Arc Township, pay a 
golden tribute to Mr. Tolon. In political senti- 
ment he is a Democrat and himself and family are 
members of the Catholic Church. 



pABEZ MITCHELL. Loami Township has 
no more worth)' member of its farming com- 
munity than this gentleman. He is a vet- 
eran of the late war, and though of foreign 
birth, gave nearly four years of his early manhood 
to assist in the cause of his adopted country, and 
fought with all the patriotism and loyalty of one 
native and to the manor born. 

Mr. Mitchell is a native of Findon, Northamp- 
tonshire, England, where his birth occurred July 
19, 1839. His parents Joseph and Sarah L. (Pan- 
ter) Mitchell, came to America in 1849, and were 
six weeks and one day in crossing the Atlantic. 
They were accompanied by their family and made 
their way up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, 
and thence to Naples, III. The father and two 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



707 



sons, including our suliject, walked to Lyinivilte, 
Morgan County, where settlement was niaile. In 
liSo;") the family removed to Sangamon Count3' and 
located in Loami Township. Here the parents spent 
their declining years surrounded by comforts which 
were procured from the fruits of their early labors. 
The fatiier passed out of life in 188G, at the ripe 
age of seventy-six years, and the mother died in 
tlie same yearngeil seventy-three years. Both were 
people of sincere piety, and while in England were 
members of the Wesle^'an Church, and naturally 
after coming to America, connected themselves 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were 
the parents of nine children, all of whom are liv- 
ing. 

Our sul)jccl's school advantages vvere meager. 
He had but very little chance to obtain an educa- 
tion in England, and only attended school six 
months after coming to this country. He was in 
the opening years of stalwart, vigorous manhood 
when the war broke out, and August 13. 1861, he 
volunteered for the defense of tlu; home of his 
adoption, becoming a member of Company B, 
Thirtieth Illinois Infantry, commanded by Col. P. 
B. Fouke. Our subject took part in mar'' battles 
and proved himself to be an ol>edicut, prompt and 
etlicient soldier. He was present at the battle of 
Belmont, Mo., November 7, 1861; helped capture 
Fls. Henry and Donelson; and took an active 
part in the seige of Corinth; faced the enemy at 
Britain's Lane; .assisted in taking Port Gibson; did 
good service at Black River, lva3inond, Jackson, 
Champion Hill, and Black River bridge; was active 
in the siege of Vicksburg, and fought the rebels in 
the second battle of Jackson, Miss. He was in Sher- 
man's raid to Meridan, Miss., which consumed 
thirty days, and his next general engagement was 
at Big Shanty in the Atlanta campaign. Our sub- 
ject was in the thickest of the light at the terrible 
battle of Kenesaw Mountain; and w.as at Atlanta 
July 21-22, 1864, and at Ezra's Chapel, July 28. 
He did some hard fighting at Jonesboro, which 
closed the Atlanta campaign. 

Mr. Mitchell marched with Sherman to the sea, 
and aided in the capture of Savannah, and thence 
went with his comrades to Beaufort, S. C. from 
there to Goldsboro, and on to Raleigh, N. C. He 



was with Sherman at the time of the surrender of 
Johnston's army. His regiment then marched to 
Richmond, and from tiiere to Washington, where 
it took part in the Grami Review. Our subject 
had the honor of being color bearer from Atlanta 
until the close of that famous campaign, and car- 
ried himself nobly in that responsible position. At 
one time he was in the hospital sis weeks at Ft. 
Donelson, sick with typhoid fever, and he was 
also sick in tlie hospital at A'icksburg, where he 
suffered two weeks with pneumonia. He was mus- 
tered out of the service at Louisville, Ky., and dis- 
charged atCampButler, July 27, 1865, having won 
a fine military record as one of the bravest and 
most faithful soldiers of his regiment. 

Mr. Mitchell was married the year after he left 
the array, to Miss Clara Carter, their marriage be- 
ing solemnized April 8, 1866. Mrs. Mitchell is a 
native of Morgan County, this Stale, ,and was born 
March 17. 184.0. Her union with our subject has 
been fruitful to them of four children, .as follows: 
Frank C. (deceased), Nellie, Harry and AVilliam. 
Mrs. ^Mitchell was taken from lier mourning hus- 
band and children in 1879. She was a most excel- 
lent woman and a conscientious member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Mitchell 
was married to his present wife, formerly Miss Mat- 
tie Carter, a sister of his former wife, August 18, 
1882. They have one child. Myrtle. In 1876 our 
subject's house was burned with all his furniture. 

Our subject owns a good farm of ninety-six 
acres, pleasantly located in Loami Township, and 
is busily and profitably engaged in its cultivation. 
He has had to work under many discouragements 
as he had his leg broken in two places by a horse 
falling with him in 1881, and for a long time he 
was disabled. He and his family have a neat and 
comfortable home, and he has succeeded in plaeino- 
his farm under fine tillage and has it supplied with 
all the necessary improvements. His whole course 
has shown him to be a thoroughly reliable and 
upright man and good citizen. He is a stanch de- 
fender of Republican principles, and has been 
Township Commissioner for sis years, showino- 
himself to be a public-spirited and energetic civic 
official. He is quite prominent socially, und is a 
member of the following organizations: the Incie-, 



708 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



pendent Order of Odd Fellows; the Gr:ind Army 
of the Republic, and the Modern Woodmen of 
America. Both he and his wife are among the 
active working members of tlie Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church, and in their daih' lives strive to 
do what is rii^ht. 



|/_^ ON. JAMES C. CONKLING, A. B. It is 
j) with pleasure that we trace the history of 
this prominent resident of Springfield by 
the principal events of his past life. Wc 
cannot follow it in detail through every cliangeful 
year but can only record the chief incidents in a 
life that has extended over a period of more than 
seventj' 3'ears — years which since maturity have 
been passed in useful labors for his family, liis 
neighbors and his country. He is one of tiie few 
who have lived in Springfield for more than half a 
century, during which period he has been a con- 
spicuous figure in legril circles, social life and pub- 
lic affairs. 

In New York City October 13, 181G,achiid was 
born to Stephen and Abigail (Cook) Conkling, 
upon whom was bestowed the name James C. The 
lad received his academic education at Morristown, 
N. J., continued his studies at Princeton College 
and was graduated therefrom in 1835 with the de- 
gree of Bachelor of Arts. The logical bent of 
his mind and his powers of expression gave 
promise of success in the legal arena, to which 
his tastes led him. He came to this State in No- 
vember, 1838, at once locating in Springfield where 
he was admitted to the bar. He has continued his 
practice to the present time with the exception of 
the period devoted to public affairs in positions to 
which he has been called by the people. He ranks 
among the ablest law3-ers in the city and is by 
many regarded as the most eloquent member of the 
bar of Springfield! Some of his oratorical elTorts 
are considered equal to any production of Edward 
Everett and none who iiear him will hesitate in 
according him high praise. 

In 1845 Mr. Conkling vros elected Mayor of the 
city. In 1851 be was a member of the Legislature 



and again in 1867. For several years Peoria, 
Springfield, Bloomington and other towns had been 
contending for the location of tlie seat of Govern- 
ment and the vexed question was one of the im- 
portant issues during the election In 1866. When 
the Legislature assembled Mr. Conkling presented 
a bill providing for the erection of a new State 
Cai)itol at Siiringfield and after such delay as is 
common the bill was referred back by the Com- 
mittee on Public Buildings and with some slight 
changes passed both Houses and was approved by 
Gov. Oglesby. This bill practically settled the 
question as to the permanent seat of Governraent. 
Mr. Conkling being a member of the Committee 
on Public Buildings had opportunity to do efficient 
work in behalf of the measure and thus won the 
gratitude of all who chose Springfield as the cen- 
ter of the Commonwealth. 

In politics Mr. Conkling has been active, earnest 
and efficient. He was a member of the Blooming- 
ton Convention in 1856 when the Republican party 
was formed in Illinois. John M. Palmer was Pres- 
ident of that convention, Owen P. Lovejoy was 
also a member, and a large number of the promi- 
nent politicians of the State were in attendance. 
Mr. Conkling was also a member of the Com- 
mittee on Resolutions which framed the plat- 
form. In the year 1860 he was a Lincoln 
Elector and also in the 3^ear 1861. He has fre- 
quently attended the National Conventions, Phila- 
delphia, Cincinnati and Ciiicago being visited by 
him when he was President in the conventions and 
he has generally taken part in "stumping" the cen- 
tral portion of the State during the campaigns. 
His clear and logical presentation of the vital issues 
has done much to open the eyes of the people and 
bind closer together the ranks of his chosen party. 

During the Civil War Mr. Conkling was ap- 
pointed State Agent by Gov. Yates for the purpose 
of settling with the State for moneys advanced by 
it and he assisted Gov. Yates in organizing the 
troops that were sent forward. He attended many 
meetings among the people for the purpose of se- 
curing volunteers and forming regiments and did 
noble work in aid of the Union cause. In 1867 
he was made one of the fourteen members of the 
Lincoln Monument Association and is one of the 




"^<2- /#. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



fU 



(two original members still holding membership, 
the other being Gov. Oglesby. March 18, 1890, 
Mr. Conkling received from President Harrison 
the appointment of Postmaster of Springfield and 
has twenty-one men under his control and direc- 
tion. He belongs to the Second Presbyterian 
Church in which he has been an Elder since 1858. 
A personal character above reproach, a mind keec 
and cultured, and the manners of a gentleman give 
Mr. Conkling prominence and his actions weiglit 
over all with whom be comes in contact. Even 
those who are opposed to him in politics and in the 
legal arena, pay him the measure of respect due to 
his genuine merits. 

At Baltimore, Md., .September 21, 1841, Mr. 
Conkling was united in marriage with Miss Mercie 
Levering, a daughter ofCapt. Levering who fought 
at the battle of Bladensburg. The bride was born 
in Georgetown, ]). C, November 21, 1817, and still 
enjoys the pleasures of life by her husband's side. 
Mr. and Mrs. Conkling are the parents of five living 
children^Clinton L., Annie V., Charles, James, 
Jr., and Alice. 

The eldest is an attorney-at-law in Springfield ; 
Annie is the wife of Dr. Fred L. ]\Iathews of the 
same city. Mrs. Conkling is a lady of culture and 
refinement and the sons and daughters have had 
such advantages of example and training as to fit 
them for the best society. 



(i IRILLIAM S. ENOS. Too much cannot be 
\/\j// said in praise of those brave soldiers and 
\^'^ devoted patriots who have rushed to the 
defense of their country, and whose martial honor 
is a priceless heritage for their descendants. To 
Iheni we owe our Union, and but for them the 
"()M Flag" would not float from every public 
building, willi its stars and stripes proclaiming to 
the |)assing lireeze that our Union has not been 
disrupted. The portrait on tiie opposite page 
represents a veteran of tlie late war and a valued 
citizen of Buffalo Heart Township. Since the close 
of the Rebel lion lie has done much good service as 
a practical, intelligent farmer and stock-raiser and 



carries on an extensive business in that line. He 
copies of an earlj' pioneer family and was born in 
tiiis county December 4, 1832, to Abner and Annie 
(Suddnth) Enos, natives respectively of New York 
and Kentucky, and who came here at an early day 
in the settlement of the county. 

Our subject enjoyed onl}' limited school advan- 
tages, but he was ambitious to have a better educa- 
tion and attended school after he had attained the 
age of twenty-five years. He was bred to the life 
of a farmer, and the breaking out of the war found 
him busily engaged in that occupation. In Octo- 
ber, 1862, he laid aside his agricultural implements 
to take up arms in defense of his country, becom- 
ing on that day a member of Company B, One 
Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry. He went 
with his regiment to Memphis, Tenn., and in the 
winter of 1862-63 did provost duty at Ft. Picker- 
ing. Earl}' in the spring of 1863 he went down 
the Mississippi River with his fellow-soldiers and 
engaged in the Vicksburg campaign. He fought 
at Port Gibson, Champion Hills and Black River, 
and saw the enemy return into the fortifications. 
During the great siege that followed he was 
wounded in the foot but not seriously. After his 
recovery he remained a short time on the Mississ- 
ippi River and was then transferred to the Gulf 
Department. 

In February, 1864, Mr. Enos and his fellow- 
soldiers started on the Red River expedition, and 
after many skirnjishes and long marches helped to 
fight the battle, of Mansfield. On that field our 
subject was captured by the enemy and taken to 
Tyler, Tex., where he experienced all the suffer- 
ings endured by the prisoners at the hands of the 
rebels for fourteen long and wear}- months. At 
the close of the war he was honorably discharged 
and returned to civil life, resuming his occupation 
as a farmer. 

Mr. IjUOS has been deservedly prospered in his 
enterprises as a farmer and stock-raiser, and holds 
a leading place among the agriculturists of Buffalo 
Heart Township. He owns a valuable homestead 
of four hundred acres of farming land of excep- 
tional fertility, whose broad, well-tilled fields yield 
him abundant returns in payment for the care and 
toil bestowed upon their cultivation. His place is 



fl2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



under substantial improvement and in tliat regard 
compares favoralily witli others in the vicinity. 

An im|3ortant step in the career of our subject 
was Ills marriage, in 1805, to Miss Jane Dunn. 
They are happy in tiieir marriage relations, and 
the pleasant home circle is completed by their four 
children — Annie, Janette, Jolm A. and Georgie 
Anna. Mr. Enos is a sociable, genial man wlio 
is true in his friendships and is always kind 
and oliliging to others, so that he stands higli in tlie 
estimation of his neighbors and all with whom he 
comes in contact. He is a member of tlie Masonic 
order and of Stevenson Post, (i. A. R., and also 
belongs to tlic Prisoners of War Association. He is 
a School Director and Highway Commissioner, and 
a widr-awakc. pnlilic-spiritcd civic ofiicial. 



^^ 




, ANIEL C. PELHAM. Among the men 
jfj who are gaining a good support by tilling 
the soil of Salisbury Township, and are 
laying asi<'e something for the rainy day, 
is the gentleman above-named. He is located on 
section 33, eleven miles from Springfield, and has 
an attractive faun, adorned with orchai'ds, groves, 
and well-!)uilt structures of the various kinds needed 
in carrying on the occupation of grain and stock 
raising. The land is fertilized by the waters of 
Hiciiland Creek, upon which it borders, and is made 
more valuable than it otherwise would have been 
by the care that has been bestowed upon its culti- 
vation. 

Mr. Pelhani is of English ancestry in the pater- 
nal line. His grandfather came to America when 
a young man and after living in the East some time 
became a pioneer of Ohio, where he finally died. In 
that State John Pclham, father of our subject, was 
born and reared. He removed to Shawneetown, 
this State, and after clearing land in that neighbor- 
hood went to Quincy, where he bought lots and 
resided for a while. He next came to this count}-, 
operated land in Gardner Township, then moved 
around on various farms for several years, after 
which he went to M.-rson County. There he secured 
one hundred and sixty acres of land and placed 



it under im|)rovement, before he was stricken by 
the dread disease, consumption. He went to St. 
Clair County, but returned to his former home to 
die, breathing his last in July, 1850. In politics he 
was a Whig. 

Tlie mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Annie Judd. Slie was born in New York and 
is a daughter of Timothy Judd, whose father was 
a native of Germanj'. Timothy Judd removed to 
Ohio and died there. Mrs. PeJham now lives in 
Jacksonville with a daughter. Our subject is the 
third in a family of eight children. Those living 
are: William, a resident of Missouri; Mollie M., 
whose home is in Jacksonville; Mrs. Eliza J. Alitchell 
now of Mt. Grove, Mo.; John, who lives in Min- 
nesota; and p]ugene, a resident of Jacksonvdle. 

The tirst-born, James, went to California in 1858, 
and being there when the war began enlisted in the 
One Hundredth California Infantry ; then going to 
Boston joined the Second Cavalry. He served 
through the war but being wounded in the breast 
at the battle of Winchester was in a hospital some 
time and finally came home to die in 1 865. William 
entered the Seventh Illinois Infantry for three 
months, then enlisted for three years in the Thirty- 
third Illinois Infantry and veteranized. He served 
actively' until wounde<l, after which he was trans- 
ferred to the invalid corps, from which he was dis- 
charged at the close of the war, as Corporal. John 
went into the service wlien but twenty j'ears old. 
He vvas too small to be taken as a soldier but found 
ways in whiih to busy himself, remaining with the 
Thirty-third Illinois Infantry about a year, then 
coming home, enlisted in Company A, Tenth Illi- 
nois Cavalry and served until the close of the war, 
being discharged in Texas. Eugene entered the 
regular army in the '70s as a member of the Fifth 
Infantry, and during Ins term of five years took 
part in the Sioux War in the Little Big Horn 
country. 

The subject of this notice was born in Gardner 
Township, Jannarv 11. 1837, and was reared on a 
farm and earl_v set to work. He learned to drive 
oxen an<l perform other duties belonging to the 
period, having but limited school privileges in the 
old-fashioned log buildings where school vvas kept 
during the winter. While yet young he was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



718 



obliged to do for liimself and at tlie age of thirteen 
years lie jjlanted corn for twenty-five eents a day. 
Ho worked out as best lie could until after the death 
of his father, when he spent most of his time with 
his mother helping her to provide for the younger 
members of the famil}'. 

In August, 18G1, the patriotism that is inborn 
in the nature of our subject, as of all true Ameri- 
cans, and which in his case is backed by a steadfast 
de\otion to principle, led him to enter the army. 
He was enrolled in Company D, Thirty-third Illi- 
nois Infantry at Springfield, and was at once sent 
to Pilot Knob, Mo. A skirmish with Jeff. Thomson 
at Jackson was the first conflict in which he took 
part, this being followed by one at Cache Creek. 
The command then went to Helena, Ark., and Kay 
in the swamps until fall, when it went to St. Louis 
and from there participated in various camp and 
campaign duties and trials until the spring of 1863. 
Then came an attempt to cut the canal at Vicks- 
burg and a failure to bring about the capture of 
the stronghold. Mr. Pelham with his comrades 
then crossed below Grand (Uilf, the regiment being 
sent in advance as a skirmish line. Following this 
passage were the famous battles of Magnolia Hills, 
Clianipion Hill, Black River bridge, the closing up 
of the forces around Vicksburg and the charge on 
that citj', May 22. Mr. Pelham made one of the 
besieging party during the summer, then took i)art 
in the siege and capture of Jackson, after which he 
was sent to New Orleans. After crossing Louisiana 
he went to Matagorda Bay, Te.x., by boat, assisted 
in the capture of Spanisli Fort, then went into quar- 
ters in Indianola, coming north on a furlough in 
January, 1864. 

Mr. Pelham rejoined his regiment in Springfield, 
went south to New Orleans and was detailed to 
guard railroads until the spring of 1865, when the 
scattered detachments were gathered together and 
started for New Orleans. A wreck occurred, where- 
in one hundred and thirty were killed and wounded. 
Ml-. Pelham saved his life by jumping from the 
train. From New Orleans the troops were sent to 
Moliile, fought at Spanish F'ort and participated in 
the siege of Ft. Blakele3', after which they went to 
Montgomery, Ala. They next crossed the country 
to Meriden, Miss., where they camped until August, 



ivhen they marched to Vicksburg, and in Novem- 
ber were honorably discharged and mustered out. 
The length of service of our subject was four years 
and four months. He had fortunately escaped 
wounds, but at Vicksburg during the charge he had 
a narrow escape. The bullets flew like hall and the 
men fell all around him. 

Mr. Pelham, on his return to the North, resumed 
the occupation of a farmer and having taken a wife 
about a twelvemonth after his return, he leased 
the farm of his father-in-law for two years. His 
health was not snfHciently rugged to allow him to 
do hard farm work and he took the contract to 
carry the mails between Salisbury and Springfield. 
This he did tri-weekly, in all knids of weather, for 
nine years. In the meantime ho bought a part of 
his present estate and made improvements upon it 
and rented it. In 187G iie gave up carrying the 
mails and ran a portable sawmill in Menard County 
four years. At the expiration of that time he sold 
it and took possession of his land, to which he 
added, bringing the acreage up to one hundred 
and twenty. He does quite a large business in 
raising and manufacturing sorghum, devoting two 
acres to the cane and making about six hundred 
gallons of the molasses. 

At the bride's home in Salisbury Township Mr. 
Pelham w.as united in marriage with Miss Mildred 
Batterton, the ceremony taking place December 26, 
1866. The bride wa.s born in this township. May 
4, 1846, and comes of families well and favorably 
known in this section. Her gr.ind father, Amor 
Batterton, a Keutuckian, came to this State with his 
family In 1818 and made his home on Gardner 
Prairie, this county. He entered land and resided 
there until his death. He was a member of an old 
Virginia family, pioneers in the Blue Grass State. 
William Batterton, father of Mrs. Pelham, was born 
in Adair County, Ky., in 1801, and after becoming 
of age in this county, entered land. He became 
well-to-do, owning at the time of his death — 
August, 1889 — two hundred and thirtj' acres of 
prime real estate. He was County Commissioner 
several years and was well known. 

The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Pelham was 
Richard Gaines, who came hither from Kentucky 
in an early d.ay and settled at the head of Richland 



fl4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Creek in Cartwright Townshi|). He was a soUlier 
in the Black Hawk Wnr. His claugiiter, wlio became 
the wife of William Batterton, was cliiistened Eliza 
and was horn in Ailair Count}-, Ky. Slie is still 
living on the Batterton homestead, in which the 
wife of our subject has an interest. Mrs. Batterton 
is now seventy-eight j'ears old. She belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and is a devout 
believer. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Pelham six children have been 
born: Arthur, Ada, Albert, Charles, Carroll and 
Owen L. One has crossed the river of death; the 
others still remain inmates of the parental home, 
althougli Arthur is a school teacher. He took the 
higher studies in the business college in Spring- 
lield. 

Mr. Pelliaai takes great interest in the advance- 
ment of the cause of education and his zeal and 
ability are recognized by Ids associates, who have 
retained him as a School Director tor years. In 
1880 and 1890 he was Census Enumerator for the 
towushi[). He belongs to the social and benevo- 
lent orders of the F. M. B. A. Lodge in Salisbury, 
and Stephenson Post No. 30, G. A. II., <if Si)ring- 
field. Ho is a stanch supporter of the principles 
and candidates of the Republican party and a leader 
in the political forces of this vicinit}'. He has 
served on the County Central Committee for years 
and has frequently been a delegate to county con- 
ventions. He belongs to the Christian Church at 
Salisbury, in vvhich he holds the ofHce of Trustee. 
Take him all in all, he is a man of prominence in 
business, social, political and religious circles, and 
has made himself useful to the community in divers 
wavs. 



^ HARLES M. SHEPHERD. 



A traveler 
throughout Sangamon County will note willi 
\^^^ pleasure the many thoroughly-developed 
estates and the great number of first-class farm 
buildings which meet his eye on every side, and 
will at once recognize the fact that this section is 
the home of an enterprising and progressive class 
of agriculturists. Should he enjoy the privilege of 
meeting and conversing with those in Woodside 



Township, lie will find none who are more pro- 
gressive in ideas than the gentleman whose name 
introduces this sketch, and whose fine estate is 
located on section 20. 

Our subject is a son of Thomas C. and Ellen 
(Miller) Shepherd, who were born in Shepherds- 
town, W. Va. Their history will be found on 
another page of this Album under the heading of 
Thomas C. Shepherd. The mother died March 
2fi, 1890. 'I'heir family consisted of five children, 
our subject being the fourth in order of birth. This 
I gentleman opened his eyes to the light November 
18, 1841, in the township in which he is still living. 
Here hn grew to maturity and has spent his active 
life, with the exception of the years devoted to 
the service of his country. He has always been 
engaged in agricultural pursuits and has a thorough 
understanding of his calling. His estate consists 
of three hundred and twenty-nine acres, upon 
which good buildings stand, and wiiere a general 
air of prosperity and thrift prevails. He settled 
upon this faim in March, 1883, having resided on 
the old homestead prior to that date. 

At the home of the bride's parents in Ball Town- 
shii), November 11, 1869, Mr. Shepherd was 
united ill marriage with Sarah E. Ford. The lady 
is a daughter of William R. and Minerva (Scott) 
Ford, who now reside in Springfiekl, and was born 
in Ball Townsliip September 5, 1850. She is pos- 
sessed of man}- fine qualifications for the position 
which she holds at the head of a household and as 
a useful member of society. Mr. and Mrs. Shep- 
herd have three sons— C. Raymond, Alva F. and 
Louis P. 

July 16, 1861, when not yet twenty years of 
age, our subject became a member of Company B, 
Eleventh Missouri Infantry, in which he served 
three years and twenty days. He takes an active 
part in the political affairs of the section in which 
he lives, working with and for the Republican 
party. He has held the office of Townslii() Super- 
visor one term. Of the social and benevolent 
orders, he belongs to the Grand Army of the 
Republic and the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Asso- 
ciation. Mr. Shepherd is well informed, genial 
in manner, and |)ossessed of the public spirit which 
leads him to take part in every scheme which is 




>. ¥. (Z^^^t-^l^. 



I 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



?17 



promulgated that promises to beneflt the commu- 
nity. His character is an uprigiit one, and he and 
his wife are numbered among the most worthy 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which he fills the office of Steward. 



'-:>'^^Vt^^^;:><^ 



ylLLIAM FLETCHER CORRELL. This 
name will at once be recognized as that of 
a man who owns a valuable property, who 
lias borne and is bearing a prominent part in the 
various departments of the work by which this 
county has been brought to its present rank among 
civilized communities, and one whose personal 
intelligence and uprightness make his citizenship 
an honor to the county. His comfortable and 
hospitable home is just outside the limits of lUi- 
opolis and is not only supplied with the comforts, 
but adorned with the luxuries of music, books, 
etc., everything about it bespeaking the liberality 
of the husband and the taste of the wife. 

Our subject belongs to an old and wealthy fam- 
ily of Mechanicsburg Township, his parents being 
Thomas and Sarah Correll. He was born on the 
parental estate and grew to manhood there, acquir- 
ing his early education in the Salem district school, 
pi incipally under the instruction of Munson Car- 
ter and A. D. Gilbert, two of the early school- 
masters. Young Correll afterward took a course 
of study in McKendree College, Lebanon, 111., in 
1855-56. While on the road home after finishing 
his studies he engaged a school, and during the 
succeeding three years was occupied with peda- 
gogical work. He also made a memorable trip 
down the river with Abraham Lincoln. He lo- 
cated on a farm just over the boundary in Macon 
County, and after the period mentioned as devoted 
partially to school work, he gave his entire atten- 
tion to agriculture. 

So successfully did Mr. Correll conduct his 
affairs that he was able to add to his estate until it 
now consists of seven hundred acres. He cele- 
brated the Fourth of July, 1883, by moving into 
his present home. The broad acres which he owns 
teem with the produce of the soil, excellent stock 



is raised, and all the farm buildings, orchards, etc., 
that betoken prosperity and progress, beautify the 
land. 

On February 25, 1868, Mr. Correll was united 
in marriage with Miss Frances Purviance, a lineal 
descendant of Peter Cartwright, the famous pio- 
neer preacher. In kindliness of disposition and 
purity of Christian life she is a worthy representa- 
tive of a family long illustrious for religious zeal. 
Mr. and Mrs. Correll are the parents of three liv- 
ing children — Frank, Kate and Pearl — all at home. 
The family is one whose door is always open and 
the welcome that is given to visitors is an earnest 
of the influence that emanates from a perfect home 
circle. 

Mr. Correll has been a member of the Christian 
Church since 1868, is a liberal giver and an unflinch- 
ing advocate of Christianity. So highly is he 
regarded in his district that no School Board is 
considered well filled that does not include him 
among its members. Under his administration the 
school of Illiopolis has attained the dignity of a 
regular published course of study and a foremost 
place among educational institutions haying a 
similar curriculum. Politically Mr. Correll is a 
Democrat of the straightest type. He has repeat- 
edly been a member of the County Board of Super- 
visors and his vigilance and fearlessness have 
made him a valuable addition to that body. 

Elsewhere in this volume the reader will notice 
a lithographic portrait of Mr. Correll. 



^p^ LARENCE R. PAUL, who has acquired a 
(l[ wide reputation through Illinois as a news- 

^^{' paper writer of uncommon ability, especiallj- 
while connected with the Chicago papers as legis- 
latire reporter, is the editor and one of the pro- 
prietors of the State JouriHtl, which is the leading 
paper of Central Illinois, and for nearly sixty years 
has been a guide in politics as well is in everything 



718 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



else pertaining to the advancement of this Com- 
monwealth. 

Mr. Paul was born in St. Thomas, Ontario, Can- 
ada, October 3, 1852. He is a son of E. R. and 
Harriet (Hickox) Paul, natives of Connecticut. 
His father was in early life a farmer, but after- 
ward became a merchant. Since 1864 he has 
resided in Evanston, 111., where he is engaged in 
the real estate business. 

Our subject entered upon liis career as a journal- 
♦ ist, reporting for the Chicago papers in 1873. 
He had previously received a fine education and 
was graduated from the Northwestern University 
at Evanston in the class of 1872, with tiie degree of 
Bachelor of Arts, and he subsequently luul the 
degree of Master of Arts conferred upon him. He 
had pursued a classical course and was well equipped 
for his new duties. For three 3-ears he was busily 
engaged on the Ciiicago papers. He came to 
Springfield as legislative reporter in the 3'ear 1877, 
and in that capacity won his laurels as one of tlie 
best reporters of legislative proceedings engaged 
on any Ciiicago paper. 

After this experience Mr. Paul returned to Chi- 
cago to work on the Post as telegraph and news 
editor. He was also engaged in the advertising 
business for about a year. Upon the reorganiza- 
tion of the iState Journal he came to Springfield as 
its local editor and was also correspondent for out- 
side newspapers. In December, 1883, he accepted 
the position of secretary to Senator Culiom and 
accompanied him to "Washington, U. C. He re- 
mained with the Senator six years, and while there 
was clerk of the Committee on Inter-State Com- 
merce and held that office all through the time of 
the preparation and passage of the bill regulating 
commerce, being with the committee from its in- 
ception till the completion of its work and through 
its revision two years ago. 

In April, 1889, our subject returned to Spring- 
field, became interested in the State Journal, and 
was made its editor. His vigorous management is 
infusing new life into its pages and he is keeping 
it up to the same high standard that has always 
made it such a power in the State. The paper is 
one of the strongest organs of the Republican party 
and its editor is one of the leaders of the part3' in 



this part of the country. He is a member of the 
State]Central Committee and of its Executive Com- 
mittee, and has been a delegate to State conven- 
tions. 




-*— :--#-;:;-^- 



|>,ILLIAM A. II ALBERT, M. D. The voca- 
tion of a physician is one that calls for a 
well-balanced mind, wherein quickness of 
perception, -accurate judgment and a good memory 
are equally conspicuous. Moreover, the doctor 
must needs be cool and determined, yet tender- 
hearted and S3'mpathetio, able to gain the instinc- 
tive confidence of his patients and to inspire them 
with faith in his skill and his desire for their good. 
He must be ever ready to increase his knowledge b3' 
study and application, as new discoveries are being 
ni.ade in the scientific world, and to profit by his 
own experience and that of his fellow practi- 
tioners. Although young in years, the gentleman 
whose name introduces these paragraphs already 
enjoys a large practice in and about Salisbury, and 
merits it for his close application to his professional 
duties. 

Our subject is the eldest of three children born 
to Joseph E. and Martha P. (Baird) Halbert. His 
native place was Sumner County, Tenn., not far 
from the town of Gallatin, and his natal da3' Octo- 
ber 16, 1860. He is descended from some of the 
first families of Virginia, although Tennessee was 
tlie home of both his father's and mother's pcojile 
for a number of 3'ears. His paternal grandfather, 
Andrew H. Halbert, was born in that State and 
became a planter, operating four hundred acres of 
land, and also raising horses and mules in large 
numbers. His home was on the turnpike between 
Gallatin and Cumberland. He farmed actively 
until his death, which occurred in 1889, when be 
was fourscore years old. He was a life-long Dem- 
ocrat. Alfred Baird, the maternal grandfather of 
our subject, was likewise a Tennessee planter, but 
he died in middle age. 

Jose[ih E. Halbert, the father of our subject, was 
born and reared on the old plantation and continued 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



719 



to reside In iiis native State until 1870. He tlicn 
witli bis family went to Nasliville and there took 
passage on a river boat for Booncville, 5Io. He 
located in Benton County, buying one luindred and 
twenty acres of land, wLich lie thorouglilj' improved 
and still oecu|)ies. He gives liis attention to gen- 
eral farming. During the Civil War he served in 
the Confederate array three years. He is a prom- 
inent member of the Presbyterian Church at his 
home, and holds tlie office of Deacon, llis young- 
est child, a daughter, Capitola, is still witli the par- 
ents, and the second, a son, Baxter S.. is engaged 
in agriculture in Arkansas. 

Dr. Halbcrt, who was ten j-ears old when his 
parents removed to the West, continued to make 
his honie in Missouri until he had grown to man- 
hood. He prosecuted lii$ studies in the public 
schools until he was sixteen years old, spending the 
intervals of study in the farm work which is usually 
done by lads of his age. He then entered the War- 
rensburg. Mo., Seminary, studied the higher 
branches for two years and also read medicine. In 
18S0 he entered the St. Louis Medical College and 
a year later changed to the College of Phj'sicians 
and Surgeons in Keokuk, Iowa. From the latfer 
institution he was graduated in 1 882 witli the degree 
of Doctor of Medicine. 

The \'oung physician at once located at Ft. Lyon, 
Mo., but after i)racticing there a j-ear decided on a 
different field of labor. In January, 1883, he came 
to Salisbury, where b\- his studious habits, careful 
use of remedial agencies, and manifest interest in 
those who employ him, he has worked up a fine 
practice vvhich gives him all that he can attend to 
within a radius of six miles. Financial success has 
resulted and lie lias made a wise investment of his. 
means, among other ways in which be has bestowed 
it having been to buj' lots in Chicago. 

The estimable lady who presides in the jileasant 
home of our subject became bis wife January 20, 
1885. Prior to that date she was known as Miss 
Jeanetta Miller. She is quite well known here, 
being a daughter of (i. W. Miller, a retired gentle- 
man who lives in the village, and having been born 
and reared within the township. One child, a son 
named Stanley, has come to bless the happy union 
of Dr. and Mrs. Halbert. The young couple are 



among the most intelligent members of society in 
Salisliury and have the happy faculty of being 
entertainingcompanions, thus giving Uiem influence 
in whatever circles they frequent. Mrs. Halbcrt 
belongs to the Christian Church. Dr. Halbert casts 
a Democratic vote whenever election day comes 
round and at all times is ready to give a reason for 
the political faith that is in him. He belongs to 
the Brainard District Medical Soeietv. 



anHi;!] 



ON. ALFRED ORENDORFF. The city 
of Springfield contains many lawyers who 
^^ are possessed of thorough knowledge con- 
,^ cerning the principles and precedents of the 
law and of the literary and scientific branches 
which are included in a liberal education. They are 
also skilled in all the details which pertain to the 
practice of their chosen profession, and are held in 
good repute by their fellow-members of the bar as 
well as by the general public. Among this class'is 
the Hon. Alfred Orendorflf, who is perhaps as well 
known as any attorney-at-law in the city. 

Our subject is the representative of a family 
which is numbered among the very early settlers of 
the State. His grandfather, Christopher Orendorff, 
settled on Sugar Creek, north of Springfield, in 
what was then Sangamon but is now Logan County, 
in 1819. He built the first water-power gristmill 
in that part of the country, making the burrs 
(_>f liowldcrs obtained in the vicinit3'. He was 
accompanied hitlier by bis son Joseph, the father 
of our subject, who married Miss Elizabeth Stevens, 
a native of Henderson County, Ky. Joseph Oren- 
ilorff died when our subject was ten j-ears old and 
the widow subsequently made her home in Lincoln. 
Logan County. 

Alfred Orendorff opened bis e^-es to the li»bt on 
July 29, 1845, in Logan County, and after obtain- 
ing a common-school education, spent a year in 
study in the Wesleyan University at Bloomin"-ton. 
adding thereto an attendance at the Military School 
in Fulton. Having chosen the profession of the 
law as the field in which to labor, he devoted him- 
self with assiduity to the preparatory work and in 



720 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tbe winter of 186G was graduated from tlie Albany, 
N. Y., Law School, with tlie degree of Bachelor of 
Laws. He at once went to Texas, where he 
remained until the autumn of 1867, when he began 
practice in Springfield in the law office of Herndon 
& Zane. Upon the retirement of Judge Zaue from 
the firm, the law partnership of Herndon & Oren- 
dorff was formed and continued for a number of 
J ears. 

In 1870 Mr. Orendorff was nominated by the 
Republicans for State Senator, but the Democrats 
being largely in the majority he was defeated by 
the Hon. Alexander Starne. In 1872 he was a del- 
egate to the Democratic National Convention and 
supported the Hon. Lyman Trumbull for President. 
In 1873 he was nominated bj' the Liberals, ratified 
by the Democrats, and elected to the Lower House, 
where he served on the Judiciary Committee and 
took an active part in forming the revised statutes 
made necessary by the new Constitution. Mr. 
Orendorff is now associated in business with Robert 
H. Patton, the connection having been formed in 
1885. 

Our subject lias for some time past given his 
principal attention to his profession, although he 
still takes an active interest in politics. He has 
been chairman of the Democratic State Central 
Committee for a number of terms, has attended all 
of the National Democratic Conventions either as 
tlelegate, alternate or secretary', and held the last- 
named position at the convention which met in 
Cincinnati. He has twice been a candidate for 
State Treasurer, during the off year when that was 
the head of the ticket, and with a majority of forty 
thousand against the party at previous elections, 
came near winning the race. 

Mr. Orendorff is Vice-President of the German- 
American Loan Association and of the Franklin 
Life Association, and Director of the Abstract 
Guarantee Compan3'of which the firm of Orendorff 
& Patton are counselors. He is one of the organ- 
izers of the Springfield Improvement Association in 
which he has been a Director for some time. He is 
a conspicuous figure in the Odd Fellows' order, in 
whicli, since 1874, he has filled various offices. He 
was chosen Representative of Lodge No. 465 to the 
Grand Lodge held in Peoria in 1875, was Grand 






INIaster of the State in 1878, and for the past twelve 
years has been Representative to the Sovereign 
Grand Lodge of the World. He has had a large 
amount of corporation law practice. Judge 
Creighton, now Circuit Judge, was associated with 
Mr. Orendorff in the practice of law in the city of 
Springfield for ten years, which was terminated by 
the election of the former to the office of Judge of 
the Circuit Court. 

Mr. Orendorff has one of the most pleasant homes 
in Springfield, the attractiveness of which is largely 
added to by the capabilities and charms of his wife. 
This lady is a daughter of Col. John Williams, was 
christened Julia, and became Mrs. Orendorff June 
22, 1870. The household consists of three chil- 
dren, named respectively: John A., Alice E. and 
Lydia Edna. 



eAPT. ISAAC KEYS. This name will beat 
once recognized in the financial circles of 
Springfield as that of the Vice-President of 
the Farmers' National Bank and one of the origin- 
ators of that flourishing organization. Capt. Keys, 
with his son Edward D., conceived the idea of 
organizing a banking institution and in connection 
with B. F. Calilvvell, George L. Eastman, and Col. 
Jonathan Merriara perfected the scheme in the 
spring of 1882. The bank opened its doors with a 
capital stock of §150,000 all paid up, and with the 
following officers: Col. Jonathan Merriam, Presi- 
dent; B. F. Caldwell, First Vice-President; Isaac 
Keys, Second Vice-President; and Edward D. Keys, 
Cashier. 

In 1884 Col. Merriam withdrew from the cor- 
poration and B. F. Caldwell was elected President. 
Our subject then became Vice-President and Sam- 
uel Mendenhall Second Vice-President. The only 
change which has since been made in the official 
staff lias been the promotion of William T. Lewis 
from the position of Teller to that of Assistant 
Cashier in 1889. He also still occupies the position 
of Teller. The original directors of J^he institution 
were Isaac Keys, B. F. Caldwell, Jonathan Merriam, 
Samuel Mendenhall, Hiram E. Gardner, John D. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



721 



Gillette, Titus Sudduth, Maj. Bluford Wilson and 
Henry Wolilgeniutli. The present Boanl of Direc- 
tors consists of B. F. Caldwell, Isaac Keys, Sntnucl 
J. Stout, Titus Sudduth, Henry Wohlgemuth, Ed- 
ward D. Keyc, William S. Jayne, Hiram E. Gardner, 
and Siiinuel Mendenhall. The bank now has a 
capital of §200,000 and a surplus of $75,000, and 
has paid regular dividends since its organization. 

The gentleman of whom we write is a native of 
tliis county, to which his parents, Isaac and Eliza- 
beth (Hess) Keys, came in 1818. They are, there- 
fore, numbered among the earliest settlers of the 
county in which they lived and labored about thirty 
yeais. Isaac Kej's, Sr., was born in Kentuck}-, 
January 11, 1790, and when a young man went to 
Ohio where he married. His wife had lived in the 
Ijuckeye Slate from childhood but was born in Vir- 
ginia about 1795. The worthy couple settled on a 
farm near Rochester after their removal to this 
State and there breathed their last, the wife in May, 
1817, and the husband a year later. 

Our subject was born January 16, 1825, and 
grew to maturity at the old liome. He removed 
to the Capital City in 1850 vvitli the intention of 
engaging in business here, and for a time was em- 
ployed in the sale of merchandise. He then went in 
the United States Marshal's Office as Chief Deputy, 
serving six years. At the outbreak of the late 
war he changed his political views and became a 
stalwart Republican. He was appointe<l by Presi- 
dent Lincoln as Provost Marshal for the Eighth 
Congressional District of Illinois and served until 
after the close of the war, when the office was 
abolished. During liis incumbency of the position 
no charge was ever preferred against Capt. Keys for 
any irregularity, and when the business of the 
office and the accounts were settled up he received 
a full and perfect discharge from the United States 
Government. 

For a number of years Capt. Keys was exten- 
sively engaged in real-estate transactions and then 
with others was interested in building the Spring- 
field, Clinton & Oilman Railroad, novv a part of 
the Illinois Central. He was one of tlie original 
owners and builders of the city street railroad, 
superintending the construction of tiie line on 
Fifth Street. He was also engaged in the building 



of the Mattoon, Sullivan & Decatur Railroad. He 
next purchased a one-fourth interest in the Barclay 
Coal & Mining Co., the work of which he superin- 
tended for two years. He then sold out his inter- 
est and again engaged in the real-estate business in 
which he had formerly been very successful. His 
next enterprise was to organize the Farmers' 
National Bank, to which he has given earnest atten- 
tion. He is now retiring somewhat from active 
business life, feeling- that he Is justified in taking 
his ease. 

In 1876 Capt. Keys was elected President of the 
Home of the Friendless, an office which he has 
retained from that time. The institution was then 
carried on entirely 1)3' the donations received from 
time to time. The attention of the liberal-minded 
citizens were directed to this worthy charity by the 
good nianagementand care exercised by its officers 
and man.agers and it now has an endowment fund 
of ^.35,000. Mr. Ke3's took an active part in the 
improvement of the city for many years and has 
ever been found ready to participate in what would 
enhance the material prosperity or elevate the 
mental and moral standing of its citizens. He built 
and now owns the south lialf of a fine block in con- 
nection with the First National Bank which is one 
of the ornaments of the cit\'. Mr. Keys has been 
for many j^ears largely' interested In the manufac- 
ture of building brick. 

Although never an office-seeker Mr. Keys was at 
one time verj' actively engaged in political matters. 
He was a member of the State Central Committee, 
also the Congressional Executive Committee, the 
County Executive Committee and the City Execu- 
tive Committee at one and the same time. He was 
also appointed Postmaster under President Grant 
and held the position for some time, being removed 
for no other cause than to give the place to Rev. 
.Tames L. Crane, a particular friend of the Presi- 
dent, chajilain of his regiment, and a poor man, who 
was very anxious to secure the position. Mr. Keys 
has been a warm friend of Hon. Shclbj' M. Cullom 
and did much to promote the interests of that 
statesman when he started out in political life. He 
was a very active Republican with an extensive 
acquaintance, and when Mr. Cullom became an 
aspirant for Congress he took a prominent part in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Ills nomination and election, wliile he continued a 
mi^mbur of that boflj- Capt. Kej's is a consistent 
member of tiie Central Bni)tist Churcli and his 
cliaracter is acknowledged to be above reiiroach. 

Tlic marriage of our sul)ject and Miss Alniira J. 
Jseal was celebrateil at the residence of the bride's 
parents in Rochester, February 14, 1852. INIrs. 
Keys was born in the Blue Grass State, but came 
hitlier when quite small, her parents, James H. and 
Marj' Neai, being old settlers of the county. She 
lias faithfully discharged her duties as. wife and 
mother, and as a member of the conimiinily i.s 
highh' regai'ded for her kindness of heart and spirit 
of benevolence, and is, with her husband, a mem- 
ber of the Central Baptist Church. The family of 
Mr. and Mrs. Keys consisted of one son wiio is novv 
Cashier of the Farmers' National Bank of Spiing- 
field, and two daughters, who have been called from 
lime to eternit}'. Eldward D., the first-born, was 
married Octolier 10, 187G, to Louisa H. Todd, of 
Lexington, Ky., and have thi'ee children — George 
E.,Alvin S.,and Edward T., the last two twins; Anna 
E., tlie second child, grailuated at the Bettie Stuart 
Institute of Springfield, 111., in 1873, and married 
Alvin B. lloblit. Cashier of the National State 
Bank in Bloomington, December 7, 187(1. Mr.s. 
lloblit died in Bloomington, .January 22, 18110, 
aged thirty-five years, leaving two sons — Hldward 
M., aged twelve j-ears, and Harry K., aged eight. 
Mrs. Hoblit was a member of the First Baptist 
Church of Bloomington. 111., had a large circle 
of acquaintances and was greatly esteemed for lier 
womanly character and Christian worth; Nellie 
I., the j'oungest child, 'died .September 6, 1875i 
when eighteen years old. 




^. AML'EL E. PRATHERis numbered among 
tlie most pushing and energetic men in the 
city of Springfield. He is engaged in the 
sale of agricultural implements, and when 
a few years since he embarked in this enterprise, he 
brought to it the excellent judgment and energy 
which had previously characterized him in a differ- 
ent line of work. Ills abilitj^ as a business man is 



shown in the appearance of the establishment over 
which he has control and the success which he 
is meeting in trade. Mr. Prather is also interested 
in two other undertakings, one of these, the 
Sattley Manufacturing Company, being engaged 
in manufacturing a large line of agricultural im- 
[ilements, including straw-stackers, and patent 
buggy poles, etc. The other factory of which he 
is the principal owner, is a new enterprise in the 
West and is engaged in manufacturing patent wall 
plaster which is put up in barrels or sacks, and 
shipped throughout the State. This factory is an 
immense success, having more orders now than can 
be filled and almost entirely taking the place of the 
old material, in the city of Springfield where it is 
located. 

Tlie parents f)f our subject are John and Mary 
J. (Jones) Prather, the former a son of Enos and 
Mary (Sargent) Prather and born December 16, 
1813. When but fifteen years old he liegan farm- 
ing and stock-raising with his brothers, Enos and 
William, and continued in business with tliem sis- 
teen years. Before the daj-s of railroad transporta- 
tion he diove cattle from Ohio to Philadelphia and 
New York. In 18G7 he came to this State and 
located in Springfield where he resided ten years. 
He then removed to Williamsville, where he still 
resides, active in mind and body and possessed of 
all his oldtime energy. He is a large land- 
(iwner, possessing fine farms in this and Logan 
Counties, and in Pike County, Ohio. The land in 
the Buckeye State comprises fourteen hundred 
acres, which wasoriginally purchased by his grand- 
father Sargent in 1704. Mr. Prather, in connec- 
tion with others, has been interested in the 
importation of fine cattle from England. He was 
one of the first stockholders in the State National 
Bank of Springfield. While living in Ohio he was 
Assistant Assessor of United States Internal Rev- 
enue for the Twelfth District of that State. His 
f.ather was one of the first Circuit Judges in Pike 
County, Ohio. 

The subject of this sketch opened his e3'es to the 
light in Pike County, Ohio, August 27, 1850. He 
inherits man}- of the good qualities of his father, 
whose record .as a dealer in and producer of fine 
stock he has perpetuated. He has taken many premi- 



PORTRAIT AND;BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



723 



iiras with his herd of cattle and now has one of the 
finest and largest herds of Short-horns in Cen- 
tral Illinois, while his flock of recorded Southdown 
sheep is the largest in the West. His annual sales 
occur during the spring of each year, attracting 
bu^yers from many of the Western States. Ho is 
thoroughly alive to his interests in the affairs of 
life and is well-educated, having had the advantage 
of thorough training in the Weslcyan University at 
Delaware, Ohio. In 1885 he began the business in 
which he is now engaged. 

The home of Mr. Prather is under the skillful 
management of a lady who became his wife July 
14, 1875. She was known in her maidenhood as Miss 
Ma Ileiikle,is the daughter of Enos M. and Martha 
(Condell) Ilenkle and was born in this county. She 
had the advantage of excellent schooling and good 
home training, and has not only a cultured mind, 
but a character which well qualifies her to discharge 
the duties which lie before her at home and in 
society. To Mr. and Mrs. Prather five children have 
come, of whom the living are May, John, Grace 
and P'lorenee. 

Earnest in all business enterprises, those who 
know Mr. Prather would expect him to be equally 
so in other matters to which he gave any attention, 
and such is found to be the case. He is an ardent 
Republican, doing all that a private citizen c.in to 
.advance the interests of the party. He takes hold of 
all enterprises that are calculated to improve the 
city which he has chosen for his home and increase 
the prosperity of the surrounding country. He 
and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and here also he is anxious to discharge his 
obligations. 



-^. 



fc^ 



^OHN P. PRESSLER. The farming inter- 
ests of Curran Township have a worthy 
exponent in the person of the gentleman 
above named, who operates three hundred 
and fifty-seven acres on sections 29 and 30. The 
entire tract is improved and tillable, and altogether 
m.ikes up an estate whereon a remunerative busi- 
ness may well be done by a man who devotes him- 



self closely and intelligently to his work. In the 
way of buildings every arrangement has been made 
for the shelter of crops and stock and the comfort 
of the family, while good fences enclose and subdi- 
vide the land, and orchards and groves adorn it. 
It is watered by Sampson Creek, and is well adapted 
for both stock and crops, to, the raising of which 
Mr. Pressler gives his attention in due proportion. 

The Kingdom of Bavaria, a part of the great 
Germanic Confederation, is the ancestral home of 
the Presslers and there the grandfather of our sub- 
ject spent his life. George Valentine Pressler, 
father of our subject, was born there in 1813 and 
worked at the trade of a blacksmith thirty-five 
years. He owned a farm connected with his place 
of business at Offenbach. In 1862 he emigrated to 
America and established a new home in New Berlin, 
this county. After working at his trade a year and 
a half he rented land and began farming, continu- 
ing that line of work until 1887. He then retired 
from active labor and made his home with his son 
Jacob until his death. .lune 5, 1890. He was an 
active Christian and helped to establish the Luth- 
eran Church in New Berlin. 

The widowed mother of our subject now makes 
her home under his roof. She bore the maiden 
name of Annie Barbara .Shue, was born in Bavaria 
in 1818, and is a daughter of one of the soldiers of 
Napoleon Bonaparte and one of the number who 
accompanied the famous general to Russia. Mrs. 
Pressler is the mother of six children, all yet liv- 
ing except a daughter Catherine who was the wife 
of J. Rommel and died in Logan County; Henry 
is farming in New Berlin Township; Mrs. Lizzie 
Deidrich lives near Broadwell ; Michael owns a large 
farm in Clay County% Neb.; the next in point of 
age is our subject; Jacob is farming in New Berlin 
Township. 

The e3'es of John P. Pressler opened to the light 
in Offenb.ach, German}', .lune 1, 1851, and he was 
eight years old when ho saw the shores of his 
native land receding as the family started for 
America. Going to Havre, France, they embarked 
on the sail-vessel "Winthrop," and after a tedious 
v<jyage of seventj'-two days landed in New York. 
The passage to New Oi'leans would have been much 
shorter but on account of the Civil War whit-h was 



724 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in progress they were obligpd to eoine to the 
northern port. Provisions became short some time 
before the vessel reached port and the passengers 
suffei-ed greatly from luinger. The family sojourned 
in Pittsburg, Pa., a few weeks, then came to this 
countj% where our subject attended the public 
schools, first in New Berlin and then in the coun- 
try. After they left town, his schooling was con- 
fined to the winter season and the summers were 
spent in helping to carry on the farm. 

Young Pressler remained with his parents until 
lie was of age, when he began the labors of life for 
himself as a farm hand. He worked by the month 
for three years, receiving the highest wages paid 
to farm laborers, as he was faithful and efficient. 
He was then elected Constable of New Berlin Town- 
ship and during the following four years performed 
the duties of that office and also did collecting. 
During this time he made his home under his par- 
ents' roof, and in 1878 hired a man to carry out 
his wishes in the operation of a farm of one hundred 
and twenty acres. Ho nest turned his entire atten- 
tion to agriculture, still making his home in New 
Berlin Township until 1883, when he located where 
he is now living. In crops he raises corn and wheat 
alternately, and in stock raises high grades of cat- 
tle and keeps full-blooded Chester-White hogs for 
breeding pur|ioses. Of this he makes a specialty 
and is the onl}^ breeder of swine in the township. 
He bu3's and feeds cattle in large numbers. His 
horses are graded Clydesdales, at the head of his 
herd being the stallion J. Smitli, a three year- 
old, weighing fourteen hundred pounds, and seven- 
eighths pure blood. Mr. Pressler also raises mules 
to a considerable extent. 

The ladj' to whose housewifely skill the neatness 
and order of the home are due, and whose intelli- 
gence and amiability make her a charming com- 
panion, became the wife of our subject March 18, 
1880. She bore the maiden name of Anna Barbara 
Ra])s, vvas born in Springfield, and is a daughter of 
John and Elizabeth Raps, who occupy a farm in 
Cartwright Township. Mr. Raps is a native of 
Bavaria and is one of the old settlers of this county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pressler are the parents of four bright 
children, named respectively, Lizzie, Henry, John 
and Charles. They are receiving careful home 



training and the educational advantages suited to 
their years, and, with the worth)- example set before 
them, are likely to become useful and honored 
members of society. 

Mr. Pressler is now serving as Supervisor of 
Curran Township, having been first elected to the 
office in 1889 and re-elected in 1890 for a two 
j'ear's term. His name was brought before the 
public on the Democratic ticket, he being a stanch 
member of the party, and one who has served as a 
delegate to county conventions. From 1886 to 
1889 Mr. Pressler was Commissioner of Highways 
and lie is now serving his second term as School 
Clerk in his district. He belongs to Curran Lodge 
No. 3087, F. M. B. A., and to Curran Camp, No. 
1290, M. W. of A. In the latter organization he 
is a charter member and he was the first Council 
here, an office which he resigned on account of the 
inconvenience under which he labored in attending. 
He is the representative to the Head Camp at 
Springfield. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pressler hold mem- 
bciship in the Lutheran Church at New Berlin. 

Not only is Mr. Pressler one of the most success- 
ful farmers in the township, but he is also one of 
her leading citizens and most useful members of 
society. The education which he obtained in the 
sclioolroom has been added to by reading and obser- 
vation and he possesses a wide fund of information 
on topics of general interest. Pleasant in speech 
and agreeable in manners, he readily makes friends, 
and bis fine moral character and indomitable energy 
in whatever he takes in hand ensure the continu- 
ance of the friendships formed. 



/^^ HARLES X. CAMPBELL is engaged in 
(l farming on section 26, Springfield Township. 

"^^y He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 
whence he came when he was eighteen months old 
with his parents to America. They settled in 
AVestmoreland County, Pa., and lived there until 
Charles was a lad of nine years. He then accom- 
panied his father to Richland County, Ohio, and 
rem«ined there until he was twenty-two years of 
age. After that he lived in Knox Count)', Ohio, 




-unJ^-O 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



727 



twelve j'ears, and at the expiration of that time 
we hear of him in Sano^amon County. 

After coming to this State Mr. C'ami>bell located 
in Gardner Townsliip, and lived there some ten 
j-ears. His next move was to Mechanicsburg 
Township, of which lie was a resident sixteen years. 
He then disposed of his farm in that locality and 
for awhile tried life in Texas. Ten months was 
sufficient time for him to decide that he liiced the 
Prairie State better as a place of residence, and he 
returned to this count}'. After that he bought ten 
acres of land on section 26, on whicli he has erected 
a good house and made- other valuable improve- 
ments and here he and his famii}' have a comforta- 
ble liome. In politics Mr. Campbell is a Democrat 
and interests himself in public affairs. 

Mr. Campliell was first married in Ashland 
County, Ohio, to Eliza Houi\, by whom he had 
eight children, named as follows: Aman<]a, Tabitha, 
Squire, Alexander, Fannie, Rinna, Elizabeth and 
Burr. The second marriage of our subject, which 
was celebrated in Springfield, was to Mrs. Mary 
(Goings) Gilpin, who was born in Ross Count.}-, 
Ohio, in 1844. She had one child by her first mar- 
riage named Anna. One clnld has been born of 
this union to our suliject and his wife. Pearl. 



CHILLES NEWTON PURVINES,a lead- 

(^jOi ing and well-to-do farmer residing on scc- 
/// l!i tion 10, Carlwright Township, is a rcpresen- 
<^J tative of one of the early and respected fam- 

ilies of the county. We have no record concerning 
the founding of this family in America, but long 
prior to the Revolutionary War its members were 
citizens of Pennsylvania and the far East, and in 
the struggle for independence the grandfather of our 
subject wore tlie blue and buff. The name is now 
spelled in various ways by the different descendants. 
Often it is written Purvienes; a witness in the courts 
of Cabarrus County, N. C.,of which Concord is the 
county seat, wrote his name Robert Purviance and 
David S., of Illinois, signed his name in the same 
manner while twice acting as a witness, but John, 
the grandfather of our su))ject spelled itPurvines. 



That honored gentleman was residing in San- 
gamon County in June, 1833. He stated that he 
was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1763, and 
thence removed to Mecklenburg Count}-, N. C, in 
1775. Later he resided in Cabarrus County, and 
in 1820 emigrated westward, locating in Sangamon 
County, 111., where he spent the remainder of his 
days. In the summer of 1779 during the progress 
of the Revolutionary War, he volunteered for 
thirteen mouths as a horseman under Capt. James 
White. The company wsis attached to a regiment 
commanded by Col. Davis, who marched across the 
Congaree, Wateree and Santee Rivers in South 
Carolina to where the militia of North Carolina 
was assembled under Gen. Rutherford of that State. 
The regiment took part in the severe conflict with 
the British at Stone Ferry, S. C, July 20, 1779, 
under Gen. Lincoln and soon afterward the army 
retreated. 

In August, 1780, Mr. Purvines volunteered as a 
private horseman under Capt. William Penny and 
and was attached to tlie army of young Gen. Gates 
at Lynch's Creek; thence marched two miles be- 
yond Rugsby's jMills toward Camden and was in a 
fight with the enemy winch probably occurred 
December 4, 1780. He has present at the capture 
cf the fort of Orangebury, S. C, in May, 1781. 
When the Americans were repulsed at Ninety-Six, 
S. C, May 22, 1781, he was in the rear guard two 
days and nights; after which, with four others, in- 
cluding the Quarter-Master Sergeant he was de- 
tached and sent to a mill to procure meal. The little 
band was attacked by a body of Tories and he with 
the sergeant v>-as wounded, also losing his horse and 
saddle. In July, 1781, he again enlisted in the 
State troops for ten months under Capt. William 
Alexander, whose company was attached to the 
regiment commanded by Col. Wade Hampton of 
South Carolina in the forces of Gen. Sumpter. He 
participated in the battle of Eutaw Springs, S. C, 
September 8, 1781. 

About a year later Mr. Purvines volunteered in 
Mecklenburg, N. C. for ten months and with Capt. 
Burns in the regiment of Col. Davis was engaged 
in that county on patrol duty, watching the move- 
ment of the Tories and protecting the inhabitants 
from marauding parties. At the close of the war 



728 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



he wus mustered oul, luiving serrerl the greater 
part offive years. He died in this count}' on the 
27th of September, 1833, and to the memory of 
this Revolutionary hero, our subject erected a mon- 
ument. 

A. N. Purvines was born in .Sangamon Count}-, 
on the 1st of December, 1832, and is a son of Sam- 
uel and Mary (Irwin) Purvines^ who are numbered 
among the honored pioneers of the county. Mr. 
Purvines was closely identified with the early his- 
tory of this section of country, with its growth 
and upbuilding, and his name should be enrolled 
among the honored pioneers to whom the State owes 
a debt of gratitude for the important work they 
did in her behalf. There were eight children in 
the family of Samuel and Mary Purvines — Tenitha, 
wife of R. T. Hamilton of Pleasant Plains; Lydia 
A., who became the wife of J. C. Bone and died 
leaving one child; A.N. of this sketch; Matilda, 
wife of Thomas A\hite, of C'artwright Township; 
John F., amerchant of Springfield; Frances, wife 
of J. C. Bone, a live stock and commission mer- 
chant of Chicago; Merian, widow of James S. Zane, 
of Carthage, Mo.; and S. S. a rctired^farmer who 
wedded Mary Harnett and resides in Pleasant 
Plains. 

The subject of this sketcl/was reared to manhood 
upon his father's farm, spending his time in the 
usual manner of farmer lads. His war record is 
an honorable one and deserves special mention in 
this volume. With the blood of a Revolutionary 
hero flowing in his veins he could not but respond 
to his patriotic impulses and on the Gth of August, 
1862, became a member of Company F, Fourteenth 
Illinois Infantry, at Prentice. He was mustered in 
at Springfield, drilled at Camp Butler and then 
with his regiment left for the South. He fought at 
Jackson, Miss., was present during the entire siega 
of Vicksburg and in ^the absence of his captain 
commanded the comjiany. He was elected First 
Sergeant and served as suclTthroughout the entire 
war, remaining in the service until the close of hos- 
tilities. After the siege of Mcksburg, his regiment 
came back up the river to Memphis, where he did 
provost duty during the winter and also engaged 
in scouting expeditions until July, 1804. 

On one of these trips Mr. Purvines was shot in 



the right ankle. About one-half of the regiment 
was taken prisoners, but our subject and his friend 
Richard Smedley, succeeded in making their es- 
cape. Traveling through swamps seven days, pur- 
sued by bloodhounds and rebels, and without food, 
he at length succeeded in reaching Memphis, ex- 
hausted ami almost prostrate. His friend died soon 
afterward and almost at the point of death, belaid 
in the hospital at Memphis for two months. In 
September. 1864, be joined his regiment at Little 
Rock and with it took part in the Price raid, march- 
ing over six hundred miles through Arkansas and 
Missouri into Kansas. In the latter part of Decem- 
ber the regiment was sent to Nashville to re-enforce 
Thomas, and, after spending a short time on the 
Tennessee, was sent as a re-inforcement to Mobile 
where it continued until the evacuation of that city. 
The order then came to march to Montgomery, 
Ala., and while at that i)lace the war was brought 
to a close. Mr. Purvines was mustered out and 
discharged at Vicksburg and received his pay on 
reaching Springfield. For three long years he faith- 
fully defended the old flag winch now floats so 
proudly over the united nation, and was always 
found at his post of duty, earnestly performing the 
tasks allotted unto him. 

Since his return from the war, Mr. Purvines has 
been engaged in farming and stock-raising and has 
mot with excellent success in this work. He how 
owns four hundred acres of land situated on sec- 
tions 3, 9, 10 and 33, Cartwright Township. In 
political sentiment, he is a stanch advocate of 
Republican principles, and socially is a member of 
Dick Johnson Post, O. A. R., of Tallula, 111. A por- 
trait of Mr. Purvines will be found elsewhere in 
this volume. 



-^^ -#-^— ^ 

"^ OHN JOHNSON, who is engaged in farming 
and stock-raising on section 28, Rochester 
Township, is the eldest of three children 
^Z born unto Andrew and Mary (Williams) 
Johnson, the former a native of Scotland and the 
latter of Vermont. Having come to Illinois in 
early life they were married in this State and set- 



PORTRAIT AND T5I0GRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



729 



tied in Rochester Township, wUc-re upon a farm 
they spent the reruaindei- of their lives. Their 
children were: John, of tliis sketch; Samuel; and 
Andrew, who died at the age of twelve 3ears. The 
father was one of the prominent and influential 
citizens of tlie communit}'. Well educated and 
possessing a higli sense of duty he exerted an 
influence for good over all with whom he came in 
contact. He tried to follovv closel3' in the foot- 
steps of the Master, and led an earnest Christian 
life which won iiini the love of all. 

John Johnson, whose name lieads this sketcii, 
was born in Rochester Township, October 23, 1828, 
and after the death of his faliier, wliieli occurred 
when he was quite young, he rcinaine<l at home 
until his mother's death, which took place about 
1842; he was then a lad of fourteen years. For a 
few months he continued to reside with his step- 
father. Green bury Baker, and tlien started out in 
life for himself, having notliing luit a strong right 
arm and a determined will to aid liira in the con- 
flict. Until his majoi'ity he worked as a farm hand 
by the montli, and although his wages were very 
meager, as compared with the price paid to-da^-. 
he managed bj' industry and economj- to save a 
sufficient amount to purchase a farm. This he did 
and completed his preparations for a home b^- 
securing as its mistress Miss Phrebe E. Bell. They 
were married on the 1st of Marcii, 1849, in Roches- 
ter Township, and at once began their domestic 
life upon the farm before mentioned. The lady 
was born November I, 1830, in Rochester Town- 
ship, where her parents. Robert and Susanna 
(Baker) ]5ell, had lived from an early day in the 
history of the county and where tliey i-emained until 
their death. Five children were born of that union, 
three sons and two daugiitcrs: Isaiah B.; Laura 
J., deceased wife of Henry Iledrick; Robert .S. ; 
John A.; and Minnie S., wife of Will Hoverkamp. 
The mother, wlio was a meu:ber of the Christian 
Church, was called to her final rest February 17, 
1871. Mr. Johnson was again married in Spring- 
field, June 13, 1872, his second union being with 
Theresa Taff, daughter of William and Mary Ann 
(Robbins) Taff, Her father was born in England, 
emigrated to this country and settled in .Sangamon 
County, 111., where he became acquainted with and 



married Miss Robbins. They continued to reside 
in this community for many year.s, but both are 
now deceased. Mrs. Johnson was born near Mechau- 
icsburg, October 21, 1846, and is the mother of an 
interesting family of six children: Luetta, Law- 
son S., Clara M., Mary, Stella H. and Waldo E. 
The children are receiving good educational advan- 
tages and do credit to the training of their [wrents. 
With the .spirit of enterprise and progress strono- 
withm him Mr. Jolinson has done not a little for 
the upbuilding of the county and takes a commen- 
dable interest in everything pertaining to its wel- 
fare. He also h.as an abundance of that most 
enviable trait, common sense, and though pro- 
gressive he never enters rashly into speculation, 
but has made judicious investment of his capital, 
and is now the owner of a valuable farm of four 
hundred and nine acres, supplied with good build- 
ings, well improved and highly cultivated. He 
engages quite extensively in raising stock, in which 
branch of business he has been very successful. 
In politics he is a Republican, and he and his wife 
are members of. the Christian Church. 



(^^ ^^^^ WICKHAM, a representative farmer 
^^^ '^^ Gardner Township, residing on section 
29, is a native of New Jersey, and on the 
maternal side is of Holland extraction. His 
parents, Hull and Phicbe (Evans) Wickham, were 
also natives of the same Slate, born in Su.ssex 
Ctmnty. Their marri.age was celebrated in New 
Jersey, where was born unto them five children. 
With a desire to benefit his financial condition, ac- 
companied by his family, he emigrated westward, 
and in the early days of Ohio's history settled in 
Licking County. He purchased a farm on the bank 
of Licking Creek and built a log house in which 
tliey began life in the West in true pioneer style. 
There the family circle was increased by the birth 
of six children, but of the entire number only one 
is now living. The tract of land which Mr. Wick- 
ham located was covered with timber, and it was 
no easy task to transform it into a fertile farm, but 
by the aid of his sons the work was accomplished. 



730 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



He continued his residence in Liclcing County un- 
til his death wliich occurred in 1850. He had 
served liis country in the War of 1812, and liad ever 
faithfully discbai-ged his duties of citizenship. In 
political sentiment he was a NVhig, and was an ad- 
herent of the faith of tlie Methodist Church, in 
which he held membership some years. Mrs. Wiclv- 
ham continued to reside in Licking County for two \ 
years after the death of her husband, and then ac- 
companied our subject to Illinois, where she spent 
her remaining days. 

The eleven children born unto this worthy couple 
were Elenore, who died in Richland Count}', 111.; 
Gideon, a resident of Licking County, Ohio; 
Tiiomas, who died in Ohio; William, who was 
located in Richland County, Oliio; Sarah, whose 
death occurred in Wayne County, 111.; and Han- 
nah, who died in Davis County, Mo. The next 
three — Seth, Elmos and Louisa, were triplets. The 
first is our subject; the second died of scarlet fever 
in Ohio at the age of ten years; and Louisa died in 
the twenty-second j'ear of her age; Mary, the next 
younger, died in Richland County, 111.; and the 
death of George, who completes the famil}', also 
occurred in the Buckeye State. 

Seth Wickham was born on his father's farm in 
Licking County, Oliio, near Newark, on the 30tli 
of October, 1824. A corner of that farm was cut 
off by the Oliio Canal. In the development of the 
land our subject bore an active part, as his older 
brothers had many of them left home, which threw 
the work upon his young shoulders. His educa- 
tional advantages were necessarily limited, for had 
llie opportunities been other than were afforded in 
the log school-houses in that day, he h.id not the 
time to attend. He continued the cultivation of 
the old homestead in Ohio for two years after his 
father's death, when he decided to make a ciiange 
in the scene of his labors. In the autumn of 1851, 
traveling in a two horse wagon, he visited Illinois, 
and was so well pleased with the country, that he 
determined to here make a location. Carrying out 
that resolution, on the 20th of March, 1852, with 
his mother and brother he started for Sangamon 
County. Tlieir household effects were loaded in a 
two-horse wagon and a carriage completed the out- 
fit. At length arriving at their destination, Mr. 



Wickham, with borrowed monej', purchased two 
huudreil and forty acres of land at §15 per acre. It 
rained almost incessantly that summer and hardly 
enough was raised to keep the team, but he strug- 
gled on, made such im[)rovements as he could, and 
in the fall of 1853 sold out at an advance of $G on 
the acre. He then purchased eighty acres, paying 
$1,440, the improvements on which consistad of a 
log house. There is little resemblance between the 
farm of to-day and that of thirty-seven years ago. 
Its boundaries have been extended until it com- 
prises one hundred acres, good barns have been 
built, a pleasant home has been erected and many 
other improvements, both useful and ornamental in 
character are there seen. A spring of living water 
is another of its attractions. In addition to the 
cultivation of his land, Mv. Wickham also engages 
in stock-raising, making a specialty of horses, but 
also has on hand excellent grades of cattle and 
hogs. He is an good judge of horseflesh, and 
has seventeen head of horses, including one thor- 
oughbred, Trixie, and some fine draft horses. In 
1878 he purchased one hundred and thirty-five 
acres of land valued at $7,800, upon which he made 
a number of good improvements, afterward mak- 
ing a gift of it to his son. Altogether, Mr. Wick- 
ham's life has been a prosperous one. Through 
kindness of heart he was induced to go as security 
for supposed friends at different times, and thereby 
lost several thousands of dollars, but he overcame 
these adversities, and is now in comfortable cir- 
cumstances. 

A marriage ceremony performed in Gardner 
Township united the destinies of Mr. Wickham 
and Miss Margaret Ray, a native of Sangamon 
County, and a daughter of Thomas Ra}', who com- 
ing to Illinois from Kentucky, became a well-to-do 
farmer of Gardner Township, where he died at the 
advanced age of eighty years, respected by all who 
knew him. He served in the Black Hawk War. 
The death of Mrs. Wickham occurred in 1867, and 
onr subject was a second time married on the 31st 
of September, 1868, the lady of his choice being 
Cornelia (Frazee) Large, the daughter of Henry 
S. and Sarah (Van Fatton) Frazee. Her father was 
born in Monmouth County, N. J., April 16, 1811, 
and on the 5tli of November, 1836, in Somerset 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



733 



County, married Miss Van Patton. Her parents, 
Mindert and Ilannali (Cooper) Van Patton, were 
natives of New York and Pennsylvania respec- 
tively, the former born in Sclioharie County, Jan- 
uary 20, 1793, and tlie latter Marcli 13, 1796. In 
1 838 they came to Sangamon County 111., wliere he 
worked at his trade of carpentering and wagon- 
making in connection with farming. His death oc- 
curred in Gardner Township, August 17, 1861, 
caused by being thrown from a horse. His wife 
died oy the 9th of January of tlie same year. Mr. 
and Mrs. Frazee are still residents of this county, 
making their home with our subject. He is a car- 
penter by trade, and although he purciiased a farm 
in Gardner Township, devoted his energies [jrinci- 
jjally to liis occupation. They are the parents of 
four children — Cornelia A.; Mrs. Hannah Large, of 
Kansas; Mrs. Elizabeth Whitatk, who died in Cass 
County, 111.; and Mrs. Maggie Beach, who died in 
Gardner Township. 

The ehildrcn^of Jlr. Wickham are Thomas AV., a 
resident farmer of Gardner Township, who is repre- 
sented on another page of this work; and Minnie 
L. at home. The father manifests considerable 
interest in educational affairs, and hris served :is 
School Director for man}' years. He has also been 
Pathmaster, has served on the grand and petit 
juries, is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Asso- 
ciation, and in political sentiment is a Republican. 



-4-Hi'=S3^=iH-H- 



f SAAC H. TAYLOR, M. D. Among the many 
successful professional men who are making 
their homes in this county, none has a better 
reputation in the comm\inity of which he makes 
one than Dr. Taylor, whose portrait is shown on 
tlie opposite page. He established himself in Bar- 
clay in the spring of 1874 and has since made that 
place his home and the center of an increasing 
practice which extends over a wide teiritory. Not 
only as a pliysician well versed in the principles of 
therapeutics and skilled in their application, butas 
a man and citizen. Dr. Taylor stands well among 
the people. 

Isaac Taylor, the father of our subject, was born 



in Kentucky and was one of the first settlers in 
Clenr Lake Township, this count}-. He entered 
land near IMechanicsburg and finally acquired four 
hundred acres. He was a soldier during the Black 
Hawk War. His demise took place in'Ajiril, 1887, 
when lie had reached the age of fourscore. Tlie wife 
of Isaac Taylor bore the maiden^narae of Sarah M. 
Elliott. She was born in North Carolina in 1818, 
and when but a child accompanied her parents to 
this State. Her father, Andrew Elliott, located 
on tlie present site of Springfield and died in the 
vicinity in the^'GOs. The mother of our sulijcct is 
still living and is now seventy-two^years old. For 
many years sheMias been a'member of the Christian 
Church, of which religious body her husband was 
also a member. 

Dr. Taylor was born March 6, 1850, on his 
father's farm in this county, and spent his boy- 
hood and early j'outh in attending the common 
schools and performing sucii services as his parents 
required at his hands. When seventeen years old 
he began reading medicine with Dr. Elliott, of 
Buffalo, this count}-, and j after studying under 
tliat gentleman a year, began his attendance at 
Rush Medical College, Chicago. He spent three 
years in close application, and in F'ebruary, 1871, 
received his diploma. The following April he 
opened an office in Curian, this county, making 
that the seat of his labors until his removal to 
Barclay. He is able to surround his family with 
many comforts and afford them many [)leasures, 
as he not only derives a good income from his 
professional work, but owns three hundred and 
seventy acres of improved land in Williams Town- 
ship. 

The joys of Dr. Ta}lor's home life are mainly 
due to the presence therein of an educated, refined 
and Christian woman, who became his wife, January 
16. 1872. She bore the maiden name of Irena 
Constant, and is a native of this county, born 
September 7, 1851. Her father, Reason Constant, 
a Kentucky gentleman, was one of the early set- 
tlers here; he died in 1887, at the advanced age 
of seventy -seven years. The wife of Dr. Taylor 
has presented him with two children — Percy Lewis, 
born December G, 1873, and Fanny G., born 
Fcbruar}' 5, 187G. 



?34 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Both Doctor unci Mrs. Taj'lor are identified 
witli the Church of Christ in Barclay, and 'both 
are to be found taking such a part as their other 
duties will allow of in tlie promulgation of the 
Gos()el work. Dr. Taylor lias brought the powers 
of his mind to bear upon the political questions 
of the day and is full^' persuaded that in the 
Democratic party rests the hope of the nation. 
He is a nienibcr of the Masonic fraternitj'. 

\fl- ENRY SCHUMACHER follows farming as 
ll a means of sup[)ort and by his own efforts 




has acquired a good property including one 
(kS)' hundred and forty acres of valuable land 
situated on section 11, Gardner Township. He is 
a representative of the first German family that 
settled along the Sangamon River in this section of 
the county. A native of Hanover, Germany, he 
was born on tlie 8tli of November, 1830, being a 
son of Fred and Soiihia (White) Schumacher. His 
father was born in Hanover and in his 3'outh learned 
the butcher's trade with the grandfather of our 
subject, Herman Schumacher. Fred also gave some 
attention to farming and that occupation became 
his chief means of support after his emigration to 
America, which occurred in 18G3. He settled on 
the Ohio River, in Eastern County, Ind.. and made 
his home with his son until his death, which 
occurred in 1876. He was a Lutheran in religious 
belief. His first wife, the mother of our subject, 
died before his emigration to the New World. 
Three children were born of that marriage — 
(;hristiau W., who is engaged in coal mining in 
Germany; Henry Charles, of this sketch; and 
William H., who is still living in the Fatherland. 
Fred Schumacher was a second time married and 
Herman, August, Sophia and INIary, children of that 
union are living in Indiana. 

Our subject was reared in his native village and 
between the age of six and fourteen attended the 
public schools. He then began life for himself, 
spending one year in Herman, after which he secured 
employment as a farm hand, that occupation being 
especially agreeable to him. He was led to seek a 



home in America in order to escape military service, 
and at the age of seventeen years, accompanied by 
his brother Christian, he left Bremen. After 
sixty-five days spent upon the bosom of theAtlantic, 
he reached New Orleans in the autumn of 1849. 
Without capital and in a strange land, he knew 
that he must at once secure employment or starva- 
tion would stare him in the face. For about six 
weeks he worked upon a plantation twenty-six miles 
north of the Crescent City and then went to St. 
Louis, where he was employed as a steamboat hand 
for ten months, the yessel pljing between that city 
and Alton, 111., The succeeding year he was en- 
gaged with a tobacconist, but not liking that busi- 
ness, in the spring of lt52 he made his way to 
.Springfield. It was his desire to engage in farm 
work and he secured a position with Mr. Roll, one of 
the early settlers of the county, with whom he re- 
mained for about three years, during the summer 
seasons. In the winter he would go to St. Louis 
and again engage in stcamboating. It was hard 
work but he was iilessed witli a good physique and 
vigorous constitution and had no trouble in obtain- 
ing the position. At length he rented land in 
Gardner Township from his father-in-law, and 
finally, in 1865, purchased two hundred and twenty 
acres of the old homestead. A long cherished 
wish of owning a farm of his own was then realized. 
Ever3lhing passed along pleasantly until 1870, and 
he was steadily acquiring a comfortable competence 
when a destructive fire broke out which destroyed 
all his buildings and burned the greater part of his 
stock. He then had to borrow money with which 
to replace the buildings and also sold some of his 
land, but still has one hundred and forty acres of 
valuable land remaining. The entire amount is 
under cultivation and is provided with good build- 
ings, such as are necessary to a model farm. He 
raises wheat and corn, owns two teams and has 
some excellent cattle and hogs. His farm is watered 
by Spring Creek and Sangamon River and his pleas- 
ant home is siiuated seven and one-half miles dis- 
tant from Springfield. 

On the 7lli of June, 1855, Mr. Schumacher was 
united in marriage with Miss Amelia Roll, a native 
of Gardner Township, and a daughter of Pierson 
Roll, a representative of one of the earliest families 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



fSS 



of the county. Six children were born *of their 
union — Christian William, who is married and lives 
in Gardner Township; Jacob Caldwell and Henry 
H., at home; Sarah, the wife of .Tames Cox, of 
Gardner Township; Mary, wife of F. Cox, also of 
that township; and Katie, wife of J. Watt, a resi- 
dent farmer of Gardner Township. The death of 
the mother occurred in 1877, and Mr. Schumacher 
was again married in 1884, to Miss Dora Grimes, 
who was born in Hanover, German}', and came with 
her parents to this countrj' in 1880. They have 
two children, sons, Harry and Freddie. 

Mr. Schumacher has been honored with several 

local offices, having served several terms .as School 

Director, and Iligliway Commissioner for two terms. 

He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the 

Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association and of the 

Lutheran Church, of Springfield. On all subjects 

of general interest he keeps himself well-informed, 

and is an intelligent and progressive citizen. He 

is also a self-made man who by his own efforts, 

though his path has been beset with difficulties and 

adversities has risen to the rank of a substantial 

farmer. 



V p;«l DWARD W. TOBIN. Many attractive and 
^ tasteful homes may be seen by the traveler 
^^^1 throughout this county, and on ever}- side 



the evidences of comfort and prosperity meet his 
eye. It is a pleasure to record the main facts in 
the lives of the dwellers in these homes and to 
give credit where credit is due for their posses- 
sion. In Woodside Township there is perhaps 
none more noticeable than that of the gentleman 
above named. This is not on account of its size 
or grandeur, but because of tlie perfection of neat- 
ness that prevails in all the surroundings and the 
coziness of the dwelling. This is a cottage of 
modern design which, set in the midst of beautiful 
grounils and surrounded by fruitful fields and 
orchard is a jewel of pearl in emerald quite in 
keeping with the other features of the landscai)e. 

The parents of our subject were the late Isaac 
and Matilda A. (Benton) Tobiu, the former born in 
Culpepor County, Va., and the latter in Maryland. 



Their first home after marriage was in St. Clair 
County, Ohio, whence they removed to Guernsey 
County. Thence they came to this county in 1854, 
locating on Horse Creek in Cotton Hill Township 
and removing to section 23, Woodside Township, 
after a time. Mrs. Tobin departed this life April 
6, 1864, on the farm, and Mr. Tobin died in 
Springfield October 10, 1881. He was quite old 
having been born July 29, 1803. The parental 
family consisted of seven sons and one daughter, 
he of whom we write being the second member of 
the household band. 

The Buckeye State claims our subject as one of 
her sons, his Ijirth having taken place in Guernsey 
County July G, 1829. He was not yet of age when 
the discovery of gold in California set the country 
on fire with excitement but he was drawn to the 
land of promise and made the journey via Central 
America. He wr.s "absent from his iiome from 
.March 1, 1850, to April, 1853, prosecuting a search 
for the i)recious metal, in greed for whicli thou- 
sands iiazarded their lives and endured toil and 
danger undreamed of before tliey left their homes. 
The spring in which he returned to the States found 
young Tobin taking up his abode in this county 
and embarking in the business of buying and ship- 
ping stock. He was thus engaged two years, then 
spent a twelvemonth in mercantile pursuits in 
Sandoval, Marion County. At tlje expiration of 
that period he began his farm life in tiiis county 
and has since given his time and attention to till- 
ing the soil. In March, 1 870, he located in Wood- 
side Township, where his present estate consists of 
eighty acres of land and the valuable improve- 
ments upon it. 

At the head of the household economics in the 
home of Mr. Tobin is a lady of intelligence and 
refinement who became Mrs. Tobin September 5, 
1854. The wedding took place in Marion County 
which was at that time the home of the bride's par- 
ents. Welcome and Mary (Main) Martin. Both 
were born in N'irginia. Mrs. Martin died in Marion 
County, tins State April 20, 1866, and Mr. Martin 
in Galena, Kan., .January 8, 1879. Tliey had five 
children, of whom their daughter Delight S., now 
Mis. Tobin, is the eldest. She was born in Dela- 
ware County, Oiiio, September 12, 1830; she is the 



fS6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



motlier of five sons and rlaughters, named respect- 
ively, Wesle}-, Anna M., deceased, Mary A., Cora 
L., and Edward W. Wesley married Effie Hus- 
band ; Mar}' is the wife of C. B. McClelland; Cora 
is tlie wife of A. C. Byers. 

Mr. Tobin iias been Highway Commissioner sis 
years and during four was Tresisurer of the Board. 
He 1ms also served acceptabl}' as School Director. 
In politics he is a Democrat. The virtues of socia- 
bility and hospitality arc possessed by both him- 
self ami wife in a more than ordinary degree, and 
notiiing affords them greater delight than to greet 
friends under their own roof. The gracious man- 
ner of the hostess, combined with the geniality of 
the host, are felt by even the stranger within their 
gates and every one who enters there is at home, 
sure of entertainment for body and mind. 



\Tp5) ZRA BARNES, who resides on section 4, 
fe Auburn Township, is a retired farmer and 
/*^ — ^ one of the influential citizens of the count}-. 
His father, Ezra Barnes, a native of New London 
County, Conn., was reared on a farm in the State 
of his nativitj' and for some years afterward re- 
mained at home taking care of the family, his earn- 
ings going for their support. It was not until 
1833 that he started out in life for himself. Fol- 
lowing Horace Greeley's advice he came W.est, 
reaching Springfield, 111., after twenty-flve days of 
travel by team across the country. He was in the 
employ of a Connecticut clock firm and sold their 
wares on a route between Chicago and St. Louis, 
traveling through Morgan and Sangamon Counties, 
111. For two and one-half years he continued that 
pursuit, when he determined to devote himself to 
farming and purchased eighty acres of land in 
Chatham Township, pn}'ing §10 down. This land 
was almost in its primitive condition but he pos- 
sessed the Yankee characteristics of enterprise and 
perseverance and soon converted the raw prairie 
into ri(-h and fertile fields. In common with others 
he liad to bear the hardships and trials of pioneer 
life and overcome its disadvantages, but ere his 
death he had met with such prosperity that he was 



owner of about eight hundred acres of land in 
Sangamon and Christian Counties. He engaged in 
the cultivation of grain and in the raising of fine 
stock. 

About the time of the late war he purchased 
in Ohio some fine Merino sheep and began sheep- 
breeding; his flock increasing in number until he 
had some fifteen hundred. In religious belief Mr. 
Barne'5 wps a Baptist, and in political sentiment a 
Republican. His death occurred in 1877. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Mason, 
was born in New York, and was a daughter of 
Noah Mason, a native of Massachusetts, who at an 
early day removed to tlie Buckeye State and from 
thence to Sangamon County, 111., where he followed 
teaming and farming. He met with excellent suc- 
cess in his undert.akings and served in the Black 
Hawk War. His daughter, Mrs. Barnes, is still 
living at the age of seventj'-three years, and makes 
her home with Mrs. Sehwalm, of Auburn. The 
five children of her family are Ezra, of this sketch; 
Seth, of Chatham; Mrs. OUie Brenner, of Christian 
County; Charles, of Chatham; and Mrs. Angeline 
Schwalra, of Auburn. 

Ezra Barnes, whose name heads this sketch, was 
born in what is now Chatham Township, December 
30, 1844, and in early life became inured to farm 
labor. The greater part of his education was ac- 
quired in a log schoolhouse, but subsequently he 
attended one term of school in Bloomington, III., 
and later was a student in the Eastman Business 
College of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The hardships of 
pioneer life were not unknown to him, neither was 
he unacquainted with its pleasures. One having a 
taste for hunting had ample opportunit}' to indulge 
his liking, for wild game of all kinds was plentiful 
in his earh" days and the deer w.as yet seen in the 
neighborhood. Until twenty-six years of age Mr. 
Barnes remained at home, when, in 1870, he went 
to Connecticut. He was married in Preston City 
to Miss Prudence A. Browning, a native of that 
place and a daughter of Hiram Browning, a wealthy 
farmer and expert mechanic of the Nutmeg State, 
hut a native of Rhode Island. 

On section 34, Chatham Township, where he 
owned eighty acres of land, Mr. Barnes began 
farming and by subsequent purchases added to the 




.J*'*^ 



L^ ^ ^ //^^^..Ca^^ln.^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



T39 



fields wliicli yielded him a good income in leliirn 
for bis care and cultivation. In 1878, lie located 
npon the old homestead, ^liicli he operated for 
four years, when he sold out and returned to Con- 
necticut. In 1883 he came to this county on busi- 
ness, but again went east and, in Preston Citj', 
Conn., lived a retired life with his family until 
1884. He tooli a trip to Virginia and that year 
visited the Southern States, remaining in Florida 
over the winter and visiting the Now Orleans Kx- 
position. After traveling all over the South he 
relumed to tliis count3', in the spring of 1885, 
where he has since made his home. He is now 
practically living a retired life, having only the 
care of his property whicli yields him an income 
sufficient for all his wants. During ihe National 
Encampment at Boston, Mass., he spent six weeks 
in the old Ba}- State, visiting his many friends and 
forming many new acquaintances. Mr. Barnes is 
genial and courteous in manner and an entertaining 
conversationalist, and in his travels acquired a 
polisli wliich is gained in no other wa}'. His mind 
is well stored vvitli many items of interest and his 
word pictures of the scenes which he visited are 
both vivid and clear. In polities Mr. Barnes is a 
stanch Republican, and for one year served as Col- 
lector of Chatham Township and for si.x years was 
Commissioner of tliat township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have two interesting chil- 
dren, Frank E. and Arthur H. On the 4th of 
November, 1890, Mr. Barnes bought out the whole- 
sale and retail grocery house of J. T. Wright, of 
Springfield, III., and is successfully prosecuting that 
calling. 



••»ri-v-i:>^- 



ffjOHN Q. A. HUSBAND. The portrait on 
the opposite page represents a prominent 
farmer and stock-raiser of Woodside Town- 
ship. Here he has a farm whose broad fields 
have been placed under the best of cultivation and 
whose improvements are of the most substantial 
order. The father of our subject, the late Harmon 
Husband, was born in Kentucky 'inrt was there mar- 
ried to Sarah Pyles. a native of Virginia. They 



began their wedded life in Kentucky, but after- 
ward came to this county and were among its earli- 
est settlers, being pioneers of Auburn Township 
and assisting in its develoiiment. The remainder 
of their lives was passed in that place where they 
were respected and esteemed for their manj' excel- 
lent qualities. They reared a family of eleven 
children to useful lives. 

Our subject was the eighth child born to his par- 
cuts, and his birth occurred in what is now Auburn 
Township, February I 'J, 1828. Amid the pioneer 
surroundings of his early home he grew to a vig- 
orous manhood, and when it became time for him 
to select a calling in life he chose that of a farmer, 
as he was well grounded in the knowledge of that 
occupation and had a decided taste for it. He re- 
mained a resident of the township of his nativity 
until 1865, when he came to Woodside Township 
and settled on his present farm. 

The year prior to coming to this township, our 
subject took unto him a wife in the person of Miss 
Ann E. Barrow, with whom he was united in mar- 
riage January 7, 1864. Mrs. Husband is the daugh- 
ter of Abraham and Mahala (Larick) Barrow, 
natives of Virginia, .and among the pioneers of 
Sangamon Count}', coming here in 1885 from the 
Old Dominion. They first settled in Cotton Hill 
Township and afterward removed to Woodside 
Township where they died. They had six children, 
of whom Mrs. Husband was the fifth in order of 
birth and she was born in Cotton Hill Township, 
February 13, 1842. Her marriage with our sub- 
ject has brought them three children: Effie A., the 
wife of Wesley Tobin ; Minnie, wife of Joseph C. 
Brunk; and Charles H. 

Mr. and Mrs. Husband continued to live in Au- 
burn Township a 3'ear and a half after their mar- 
riage, and then took up their residence in their 
present home. Mr. Husband has here a farm of 
two hundred and sixty acres on which he has erected 
neat and commodious buildings, and in cultivating 
his land he has acquired a good competence. He 
and his famil}' have a home that is replete with com- 
forts and with its pleasant surroundings is one of 
the most attractive places in the neighborhood. 
Mr. Husband has always followed agricultural pur- 
suits and is one of the most practical, thrifty and 



f40 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



induBtrioiis members of his class. As we have seen, 
be was born;,here in early pioneer times and must 
now be one of^lhe oldest representative native-born 
citizens of the county. He grew with its growth, 
and has contributed his quota towards its develop- 
ment. He is a member of the Democratic party 
anil is firm in his support of its principles. 




■f^ B. TORRENCP>. Among the well-culti- 
vated and improved tracts of land, so many 
of which are to be seen in Cotton Hill 
Township, a good rank is held by that belong- 
in"- to our subject. It consists of three hundred 
and twenty-five acres on sections 12 and 13, and is 
supplemented by eighty acres in Rochester Town- 
ship. Mr. Torrence now rents a large part of his 
land, as in connection with his farming he is carry- 
in<»- on a flour and feed mill. This establishment is 
located on section 12, and was built by two brothers 
named Hollenbeck, who began the structure in the 
fall of 1831, completing it in 1832. 

The father of our subject was the late Sanauel 
Torrence, who met his death September 21, 1875. 
It was caused by a runaway team and was instan- 
taneous. The mother of our subject was Polly 
DeLay, who was called hence in JNIay, 1886. Mr. 
and Mrs. Samuel Torrence made Cotton Hill Town- 
ship their home about three years after their mar- 
riao-e, and then settled in Rochester Township, 
where they continued to reside. To them were 
born eight children, of whom our subject is the 
eldest, while he and his brother are the only ones 
living at the present writing. 

The gentleman of whom we write is a native of 
Cotton Hill Township, born December 8, 1842. 
He grew to manhood in Rochester Township, and 
after attaining to his majority, returned to that in 
which he was born and began farming. He has 
continued his residence here to the present da\'and 
has become well known as a man of enterprise In 
his chosen vocation and one possessed of man}^ 
manly qualities. 

For three years Mr. Torrence has acceptably fdled 
the office of Highway Commissioner. He received 



a good practical education in his earlier years and 
to it has added the still more useful knowledge 
which can only be obtained 1)3- personal observation 
and experience. He believes in the doctrines of 
Republicanism and supports the party of his choice 
with his vote on election day and with his expres- 
sion of faith whenever Governmental policj' is the 
subject of conversation. He is not identified with 
any religious body, being very liberal in his views 
regarding articles of faith, but is one of those men 
who bear a good reputation as honorable, upright 
individuals and excellent citizens. 

On another page of this volume the reader will 
notice a view of the home and surroundings on the 
farm of Mr. Torrence. 

ANIEL CONNER is conducting a good busi- 
ness as one of the substantial farmers of 
Island Grove Township. He has a farm on 
section 12, town 15, finely located on the old Stale 
road, half way between Springfield and Jacksonville 
and here he has erected all the buildings required 
to make a pleasant and convenient liomestead. The 
estate is situated one and a half miles west of Ber- 
lin, and three miles northwest of New Berlin, whicli 
is a thriving village on the Wabash Railroad. 

The grandparents of our subject came to Amer- 
ica about the year 1760, and settled on the James 
River. During the Revolutionary War the grand- 
father enlisted in the defense of the Colonies, and 
was one of the valiant soldiers who freed this coun- 
try from its subjection to England. At an early 
day, Zadock Conner, the father of our subject, 
came to Indiana from the Old Dominion. Prior to 
his removal West he was married, and of this union 
seven sons and three daughters were born. Shortly 
after settling in Indiana the wife and mother died, 
and the father was again united in marriage, his 
wife bearing the maiden name of Frances Mc- 
Gaughey. Two sons were born of this marriage, 
of whom our subject, Daniel, was the j'ouugest. 

He of whom we write was born August 17, 1832, 
in Russell Townshii), Putnam County, Ind., and like 
all the boys of that day, grew to manhood with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



741 



very limited 0|iiJ0ituiiities for educalion. He at- 
tended a subscription school tliree niontlis during 
the winter season, waliiing a distance of two and 
one-half miles through mud and snow, and in tlie 
summer wori<ed on the farm. At the age of twenty 
years he left home with the consent of his parents 
to go into partnersiiip with a half-brother and learn 
the trade of a blaclismith, then considered one of 
tiie best trades. On the 20th of Se()tember, 18o2, 
be took his departure from the parental roof, and 
proceeding to the town of Fincastle, Putnam 
County, worked with his brotlier at their trade un- 
til March, 1«54. 

We next hear of our subject at Terre Maute, 
Ind., where he and his brother enlarged tlieir busi- 
ness, and took into partnership witli tliem another 
brother, Andrew. In 18.05 Andrew married, and 
our subject began to look for a wife, and at last 
found one whom he thought would be an agreeable 
companion for life's journey, if he could get her 
consent. This was finally obtained, and on March 
31, 1858, Daniel Conner and Nanc3' J. Jones, a 
native of Clark Count}', 111., were united in mar- 
riage. This estimable lady was born November 25, 
'1832, and is therefore three months and twenty-Bve 
days younger than her husband. She is descended 
on her father's side from old Virginian stock, while 
her maternal ancestors were natives of New Yo''k. 
Both her parents died wiien she was a child of seven 
years, and she was reared by a family of very strict 
Quakers, named Brooks. 

The eldest brother of Mrs. Conner served in the 
Mexican War, and coming home, died soon after- 
ward; another brother died of fever; the youngest 
brother enlisted in the regiment of which Gen. 
Grant was Colonel, and died in defense of his coun- 
try at Murfreesboro; the second brother is still liv- 
ing, and makes his home in this county. When 
Mrs. Conner had reached womanhood, she left her 
native State, and going to Terre Haute, Ind., 
lived with a brother there until his marriage. No 
cliildren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Conner, but 
they reared a boy named W. G. Boos, whom they 
took under their loving care in 1866, and who has 
now attained a stalvrart manhood. 

During the Civil War JNIr. Conner enlisted in the j 
defense of the old Hag in 18G2, hut. after serving a 



few uioutLs his health became so undermined that he 
was honoraljly discharged and returned to his home. 
In 18G4 lie s(jld"his farm, and returning to Terre 
Haute, for a time worked at his trade, and later 
started a livery stable. In this enterprise he was 
unfortunate, being burned out in the fall of 1866. 
Then returning to his native county, he embarked 
in the blacksmith trade, but here also he was burned 
ont. lie had carried a small insurance on the stable 
but none on the sho)). It will thus be seen that 
Mr. Conner has met with his share of misfortunes, 
and his present comfortable compelenc}' is due en- 
tirely to his unremitting indusliy. 

Mr. Conner is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, and is a stanch Re|)ublican, supporting those 
candidates who are pledged to work for the prin- 
ciples of the party. Mrs. Conner joined the Meth- 
odist Church in 1866, has been a faithful worker in 
Sunday-school and church, and until recently was 
Vice-President of the Foreign Missionary Society 
of the District of Grcencastle, Ind. Mr. Conner 
has also been a faithful worker in the Methodist 
Church since the year 1869, and by his upright, 
consistent life has adorned the name of Christian. 
Coming to the State of Illinois in 1878, he has, dur- 
ing the period of his residence here, endeared him- 
self to many friends, and his manly character and 
noble life will be remembered with affection long 
after he has passed to that bourne whence no traveler 
returns. 



i^' 



M'OHN A. CHESTNUT. How more than 
pleasant after a life well and prosperously 
spent to look back upon the years long 
since buried in the fathomless stream of 
Time, and recall the numerous honors and pleasures 
that met one at almost every step. 

Our subject is at present a retired attorney-at- 
law, and his life is replete with honors bestowed 
upon him in return for his great talent and 
marked ability. His birtii occurred in Kentucky', 
January 19th, 1816, and he is a worth}' son of that 
State that has produced so many gifted and bril- 
liant men. His father, James Chestnut, was a 
native of South Carolina and was of Irish descent. 



f42 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



He married Miss Elizabeth Stevenson of Nortli 
Carolina, and after spending a great part of his 
life in the Bine Grass State, he removed to Illi- 
nois, settling in Morgan County, near Waverly, in 
1836. His death occurred in 1849, and his wife 
died in 18.53. 

The subject of our sketch was educated princi- 
pall3r in Kentucky but read law in the office of P. 
H. Winchester, of Carlinville, 111., and was admit- 
ted to the bar of Illinois in 1837 and to the 
United States Courts in 1841. He practiced his 
chosen profe.ssion most successfully in Carlinville 
from 1837 to 1855, ex-Gov. John M. Palmer 
being his chief competitor in legal work. Mr. 
Chestnut gave up the practice of law and engaged 
in the real-estate and banking business in Carlin- 
ville and in a few years amassed a handsome 
fortune. After moving to Springfield, our subject 
made some unfortunate investments, but is still 
in comfortable circumstances, and lives in an ele- 
gant home on West Monroe Street, two blocks 
from the State House. 

Mr. (Chestnut first married Miss Sarah Blair, of 
Greene County, 111., in 1844, but death claimed 
her in 18 40 and she passed to her final resting 
place, leaving one child — Leonora, who is now jMrs. 
Tiugley Woods, of Leadvillc, Col. In 1854 our 
subject married Miss Kate N. Corbett, of Jersey 
County. 

The subject of our sketch is one of the most 
prominent men in the State of Illinois ancl has 
always held high offices and is the reci|)lent of 
much esteem. He is a prominent member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and has held 
numerous offices and done much for the interests 
both of this church and for the cause of Chris- 
tianity in general. In 1876 he was a delegate to the 
General Conference of the Methodist E|>iscopal 
Church in IJalliraore, and was also a delegate to the 
Centennial Conference held by this church in 
Baltimore, in 1844. In 1867 Mr. Chestnut was 
made Cashier of the Springfield Savings Bank, 
wliich position he held for several years and then 
resumed for awhile the practice of law. In the 
year 1880 he was the Supervisor for the United 
States Census for the Sixth Illinois District. He 
is a member of the Sons of Temperance, and while 



voting with the Republican party is ready to vote 
with the Prohibitionists when it will accomplish 
any good results. He was a member of the Board 
of Managers of Oak Ridge Cemetery, which office 
he held until 1874. He was appointed by Gover- 
nor Oglesby as one of the Directors of the Illinois 
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Jacksonville, 
in 1868. He was re-appointed by ex-Gov. John 
M. Palmer in 1871 and as trustee in 1869, and by 
Gov. Beveridge for four years for the same in 1 873, 
and was also one of the trustees of the College 
in Jacksonville. On ihe 13th of January, 1838, 
Mr. Chestnut was elected Clerk of the County 
Court of Macoupin County for four terms, hold- 
ing the office until 1849. In 1857 he was Presi- 
dent of the Board of Trustees of Carlinville and 
in 1859 was re-elected to the same position. He 
was elected in 1865 and served one year as 
Supervisor of Sangamon County; in 1880 he was 
appointed by President IIa}^es Supervisor for the 
Sixth District of HHnois comprising Adams, Pike, 
Calhoun, Jersey, Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, 
Christian, Sangamon, Cass, Menard, .Scott, Mor- 
gan and Brown Counties. He was also President 
of the S[)ringfield Manufacturing Company from 
1871 to 1875. Indeed, it would be impossible in 
a biographical sketch to render full justice to the 
great popularity and unusual success of our sub- 
ject. Suffice it to say that his has been a career 
that may well be taken as a model by the youth of 
our country'. , 



^ ^-^"^ ^ 



lS^<)HOMAS p. WHITE has one of the best 
,//^, ordered and one of the finest managed farms 
%^^^J in Island (irove Township, where he is quite 
extensively engaged as a stock-raiser and dealer. He 
was born February 8, 1830, in Vigo County, Ind., 
to Thom.as M. and Nancy A. White, who were 
natives of North Carolina. His father went to 
Indiana in 1829 and made a good record as a 
pioneer farmer of the State, owning at his death 
some three hundred acres of fine land which were 
under good culiivation and substantial improve- 
ment. His last days were passed in peace and com- 



S^«st1i^;i5>. 



^ ' 



I- 




/^d<i-c^<^ /^i^^j^^t^J^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



745 



fort in his adopted Stato, where his life was brought' 
to a dose at a ripe age. 

Thomas White was tlie fiftli child in a family of 
six children and he was well trained bj' his parents 
in the duties of life. He remained an inmate of 
the parental household till he was thirty-seven 
years old, when he met a lady who changed the 
current of his life, Amanda Miles, to whom he 
was wedded in Terre Haute, Ind., on the 19th 
of December, 1867. Their marriage has been one 
of happiness and has been blessed to them by 
the birth of eiulit children, of whom five are now 
living. 

Oursul)ject took an important step in life when 
he left his old home in Indiana and took up his 
residence in this county in 18.58. He then located 
in Island Grove Township, where he bought one 
hundred and sixty acres of land on section 15, 
which is still in his possession, and.which is worth 
$70 per acre. Under his skillful management it 
has become highly productive and its improvements 
are of a high order. He devotes much of it to 
stock-raising and deals extensively in cattle and 
hogs. He is a shrewd man of business, is endowed 
with practical judgment and with many fine traits 
of character which go to make him one of the most 
reliable and trustworthy citizens of the towushii). 
He is a stalwart among the Democrats. He is much 
interested in educational matters and for eleven 
years has done good work in that regard in this 
township, as Scliool Director. 



<Y OSEPH SHEPHERD, Sk. A goodly num- 
ber of the old settlers of the county have 
secured a sufficient amount of worldly goods 
to ensure them against want in their declin- 
ing years and enable them to surround themselves 
with many comforts uidcnown in their earlier days 
here, when markets were neither as near nor as 
adequate as at present. Among those of this num- 
ber who are worthy of notice is tlie subject 
of these paragraphs, whose portrait is presented 
on the opposite page. He is the owner of a large 



farm in Woodside Township and has there every 
needful and convenient arrangement for the fur- 
therance of the work of the estate and the comfort 
of the family circle. The farm comprises four 
hundred and eighty acres of land that is under 
first-class tillage and is made to produce abun- 
dantl}- in due season. • 

Mr. Shepherd was born in Shepherdstown, 
W. Yti., June 11, 1816, and is the fourth in a fam- 
ily of eight children. His parents were Thomas 
and Mary (Byers) Shepherd, natives of the same 
place as himself. The father died there in 1833, 
and the widowed mother subsequently coming to 
this county, died in Pawnee Township. The son 
of whom we write remained in his native place 
until he was about twenty years of age, learning 
those lessons from books, observation and home 
training that fitted him for the battle of life. In 
the fall of 1836 he came to this county and estab- 
lished himself in Woodside Township, where be 
has continued to reside, accumulating acompetence 
from year to year. 

In this township Mr. Shei)herd was joined in 
holy wedlock to Fanny Smith, an estimable lady, 
who was born in Franklin County, Pa., and who 
shared his joys and sorrows nntil 1866, when she 
was called from lime to eternity. Of her chil- 
dren, eight in number, the following are now liv- 
ing: John T., James H., Joseph, Jr., and Saloma. 
Salonia is now the wife of George Doane and lives 
in tills township. The present capable wife of Mr. 
Shepherd was born in the Old Dominion and bore 
the maiden name of Lydia Byers. She went to 
Ohio with her parents, Abraham and Margaret 
(Bramhall) Byers, natives of Virginia, when slie 
was but eight years old, grew to womanhood there 
and married Matthias Haggard. That gentleman 
died, leaving to the widowed mother's care a 
daughter, Margaret, who makes her home with Mr. 
Shepherd. The result of the present union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Shepherd is two living children — William 
A. and Lydia. 

For some thirty years Mr. Shepherd has been 
serving in the capacity of School Director. He 
and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcojial 
Church and he has held the positions of Class- 
Leader, Steward and Trustee. Both manifest a 



746 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



(loop interest in vvliatever ijromises to increase the 
material pi ospeiity of tlie citizens or add to their 
moral and intellectual status. They are therefore 
looked upon with esteem as helpful, honorable 
members of society. 



-^./NDREW F. IIAPPER is a wealthy, inlluen- 
mlLM tial and progressive citizen of Farmingdale 
and a native of Gardner Township, born 
July 14, 1854. lie was reared and edu- 
cated in the rural districts, having the advantage 
of good schools and excellent home training. Dur- 
ing the Civil War hands were scarce and he was 
therefore obliged when not more than eight years 
old to plow corn and hear a part in other labors 
usually jierformed by those much older. When he 
was eighteen years old he assumed the management 
of the farm and after his father's death in 1875 
continued in charge. In 1882 he bought out the 
other heirs, continued the improvements wiiich had 
been begun by his father and now has all the nec- 
essary buildings and conveniences for carrying on 
his work. 

The estate of Mr. IIapi)er consists of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres on section 19, and eighty acres 
on section 30, Gardner Township, togetiier with 
forty acres on section "24, Cartwrigiit Township. 11 
is as good farming land as can be found in the 
county, and the buildings, incUiding a windmill, 
etc., will compare favorably with any in the vicin- 
ity. Mr. Happer has raised grain, cattle, liogs, 
sheep and horses, and has been emintntly success- 
ful in his labors. In 1889 he bought out D. Hum- 
phreys, a grain dealer in Farmingdale, and is now 
buying and shipping to Cincinnati and Detroit. 
He owns two warehouses, scales, etc. and carries on 
.-xn extensive trade. He also sells drain tile and 
superintends his farm. His residence, a comfort- 
able and attractive dwelling suriounded by about 
two acres of land, is in the corporation. 

The home of Mr. Happer is presided over by a 
genial, intelligent lady, who bore the maiden name 
of Ida V. Harrison, and became liis wife October 
24, 1883. The marriage was solemnized in Gardner 



Township and to the happy couple has come one 
child — James II. Mrs. Happer is a daughter of 
Simeon Q. and Mary A. (Renshaw) Harrison and 
was born in Cartwrrght Township, of which her 
father was a pioneer. Mr. Harrison was born in 
what is now Trigg County, Ky., and upon coming 
to this county first purchased eighty acres in Cart- 
wright Township. He was a heavy dealer in stock, 
a successful financier, and at one time owned nine 
hundred acres of valuable land. His father, Field- 
ing Harrison, who was born in Rockingham County, 
Va., in 1777. was a second cousin of William Henry 
Harrison. Simeon Harrison was a Republican. He 
died June 1, 1883, and his widow now makes her 
home with her children. 

Mrs. Harrison was born in Cartwrigbt Township 
October 20, 1822. Her father, Wylie P. Renshaw, 
was born near Salisburj', Ga., in 1800, accompanied 
his parents to Dickson County, Tenn,, and later to 
Madison County, 111. In 1821 he came to Sanga- 
mon County, entered land, and became well-to-do. 
He served as a private in the War of 1812 and was 
an active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. The circle of which Mrs. Happer is the 
fifth member includes also Robert P., whose home 
is in Cartwright Township; Annie I., wife of Jo- 
soith Gardner, living in Aledo; Jenny E., wife of 
F. Castle, of Peoria; Mary E., now Mrs. William 
Gardner, of Gardner Township; Roxanna F., de- 
ceased ; and Mrs. Susannah Winchell of Gardner 
Township. 

James E. Happer, the father of our subject, was 
born in Washington County, Pa., reared on a farm 
and when just merging into manhood came to this 
State. He came by boat to .St. Louis, Mo., thence 
made his wa}' to tliis count}', began farming and 
soon bought what in those days was termed an im- 
proved farm — one hundred and sixty acres with a 
few acres broken and a cabin on it. About 1837 
he returned to his native State for his bride. Miss 
Sarah Gardner, a native of Allegheny Count}-, and 
at once located on his claim ; sturdy and industrious 
he rose from the bottom of the ladder until he had 
a finelj'-improved estate, consisting of two hundred 
acres of farm land and forty acres of timber. 

In politics Mr. Happer was a Republican and in 
religion a Presbyterian. He was an Elder in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



747 



Farmingdale churnhand one of its most substantial 
members, and was Superintendent of the Sunday- 
school for years. His wife belonged to the same 
religious body. Mr. ITapper was School Trustee 
four years. He breathed his last in 1875 and the 
widow in 1881. Besides our subject, the members 
of the family are, John G., a farmer in Macon 
County; Mis. Carrie M. Lyman, of Cartvvright 
Township; Mrs. Sarah Parsons, of California; Mrs. 
Laura A. Simms, of Wichita, Kan.; and Maggie M. 
Morgan of Moroy, this State. 

The subject of this sketch has held the oMice (jf 
School Director since he was of age. He is also 
Commissioner of Higliwa3's and President of tlie 
Board. Politically he is a stanch Republican, has 
been a delegate to conventions and otherwise aided 
the p.arty. He is a member and Trustee of tiic 
Farniingdale Presbyterian Church and has been 
Superintendent of tiie Sunday-school. 

^p^EN. JOHN McCONNELL. This name is 
II g-., borne by a man whose valor on the field of 
^^^IJi battle, whose enterjjrise in business and 
whose raanl}' character are well known to the resi- 
dents of Springfield, in or near which city he has 
lived for half a centuiy. It affords us pleasure to 
incorporate in this volume the main incidents in the 
life which has been well spent and which has won 
the respect of all wlio are familiar with it and the 
sincere friendship of those who have been most 
closely connected with the gentleman whose years 
have been thus passed. 

Tlie subject of this brief history is a sou of 
James McConnell, who was recognized as one of 
the most advanced of the farmers of this State. He 
was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1789 and married 
Sarah Smith, who was born at the same place in 
1787. The young couple emigrated to America a 
short time before the War of 1812, during which 
time Mr. McConnell labored in a powder mill in 
New Jersey. He had learned all the processes of 
manufacturing powder and was an especial adept in 
the difficult work of refining saltpetre. Removing 
to Madison County, N. Y., he established works 



and manufactured powder there seven or eight 
years. He then turned his attention to farming 
and the raising of fine stock in the same county and 
made several trips to Kentucky for the sale of his 
herds. Being advised to take some of his stock to 
Illinois, he came to Springfield in the fall of 1840 
and was so well pleased with the country that he 
bought land about three miles south of the city. 
He returned to New York, settled up his business 
and brought his family hither, his removal being 
the cause of several other families coming also. 

James McConnell brought a flock of about two 
hundred fine Merino slieep and some thorough-bred 
Berkshire hogs. His oldest son also brought a flock 
of Merino sheep, this being one of the first efforts 
made to introduce blooded sheep and hogs into this 
county. Mr. McConnell was one of the earliest 
farmers who favored the forming of a State Agri- 
cultural Society and was President of a convention 
assembled in 1852 which organized the Illinois 
State Agricultural Society. The worthy man died 
at his home in Woodside Township, January 7, 
1 8G7. His estimable wife had passed away January 
17, 1855. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Madison 
County, N. Y., December 5, 1824. He was in his 
teens when he came to this county and he grew to 
maturit3' on his father's farm in Woodside Town- 
ship. He engaged in farming, canying on the 
estate after the death of his father until 1879. He 
gave a great deal of attention to sheep-raising and 
more recently to cattle. He became the owner of 
sis hundred acres south of the city, six hundred 
in Pawnee Township and five hundred and twenty- 
just over the line in Montgomery Township. In 
1879 Mr. McConnell removed to West Springfield 
to engage in the insurance business and still repre- 
sents a fine line of companies, having his ofl3ce at 
No. 516 East Adams Street. 

At the beginning of the Rebellion Mr. McCon- 
nell raised a company which was mustered into the 
service as Company A, Third Illinois Cavalry. In 
September, 1861, he was promoted to be Major and 
served in that capacity until March 18, 1863, when 
he resigned. June 15, following, he was appointed 
Colonel of the Fifth Illinois Cavalry but was physi- 
cally unable to serve until May 27, 1864, when he 



748 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



was mustered in and t'^ok command. "While con- 
nected vvitli the Third Cavalrj' he had commanded 
tlie onl3' cavahy engaged in tiie battle of Pea Ridge, 
and Col. G. M. Dodge, tiien in command of the 
brigade, in his report says "Where so many fought 
gallantly it would be hard to distinguisii. but I 
noticed the daring bravery of Maj. McConnell of 
the Third Illinois Cavalry, who supported me on 
my riglit." Gen. E. A. Carr, who commanded the 
Fourth Division, wrote to Mrs. McConnell con- 
gratulating her on having so noble a man for a 
iiusband. He says, "With about five hundred and 
seventy-five men he kept back a line of the enemy 
four or five ileep and three-quarters of a mile long, 
comprising several thousand, and prevented them 
from getting around so as to fall on our flank and 
rear." His conduct on that day and at all times 
was admired by everyone. 

March 13, 1865, Col. McConnell was appointed 
Brevet Brigadier-General and his commission was 
issued April 14. It was signed on t!ie morning of 
tliat da}^ by President Lincoln and was one of the 
last acts in the official life of the martyred Presi- 
dent. Gen. McConnell's regiment was assigned to 
the First Brigade, Second Division, Gen. Custer 
commanding. They moved by way of the Red 
River to Hempstead, Tex., where tliey remained 
from August to October, then moved to Springfield, 
111., where Gen McConnell w.as mustered out with 
the regiment October 27, 1865. In commemoration 
of his days as a soldier. Gen. McConnell is num- 
bered in the ranks of the Grand Army of the Re- 
public. In politics he is conservative. While 
living upon the farm he was Trustee of Schools 
for seventeen years. He also served as Township 
Trustee and even held the office while at the front, 
the people being unwilling to release him. 

September 22, 1848, the rites of wedlock were 
celebrated between our subject and Miss Elizabeth 
C. Parsons. This lady was born in Meriden, Conn., 
March 10, 1831, and was still a child when slie 
came to this county, her father locating at Chat- 
ham in 1839. Samuel M. Parsons was a merchant 
and farmer in that village. Mrs. McConnell has 
been a faithful and efficient helpmate and a devoted 
mother, and has still found time to enjoj' social life 
and do many kindly deeds in the neighborhood. 



She has borne her husband two s<^ins — Samuel P. 
and James H. The elder was born .July 5, 1849. 
was graduated from Lombard University at Gales- 
burg, read law with Stuart ife Edwards in Spring- 
field and was admitted to the bar here. He began 
the practice of his profession in Chicago where he 
still lives. He is now Circuit Judge and presided 
on the bench during the notorious Cronin murder 
trial. Judge McConnell married Miss .Sarah Rod- 
gers, daughter of Judge J. G. Rodgers of Chicago. 
The second son began the manufacture of dusters 
in Springfield, but some ten years since removed to 
Chicago. He is now manager of the Dearborn 
Duster Company and with his brother, joint pro- 
prietor. 

-BSJ^S — - 



L^^HOMAS W. WICKHAM, an intelligent 
m(^^ young farmer residing on section 29, Gard- 
^^^ ner Township, is well and favorably known 
throughout the county. He was born on a farm 
near his i)resent home on the 6th of January, 1867, 
and his father is still an esteemed citizen of this 
community. In his youth he acquired a good lit- 
erary education and received a practical business 
training while serving in the capacity of salesman 
in a mercantile house. To add to his store of busi- 
ness knowledge, in 1882, he entered Bogardus 
Business College of Springfield, where he pursued 
a six months' course and during six months of the 
foUovving year he attended Brown's Business Col- 
lego. Going then to Kansas he was employed as 
clerk in a store in While Cloud for a year when he 
returned home. 

After remaining under the parental roof for 
another twelve months he was united in marriage 
with Miss Jlillie Steelman, the wedding being cele- 
brated in Curran Township, on the 20th of February. 
1887. The lady was born in that township and is 
a daughter of Lorenzo Steelman, a native of New 
Jerse}'. He married Martha Archer, daughter of 
Carroll Archer who was born in Kentucky but at 
an early day came to Sangamon County and settled 
upon a farm. Mr. Steelman also engaged in farm- 
ing operations in Curran Township until his death, 
wliich occurred in 1886. He was a Republican in 




X 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



751 



politics. His wife still survives him .anrt mal<es her 
home in this count^^ She holds meiiiliersliip in the 
Metiiodist C'luuch and is a most estimaliie lad}-. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wiekhain began their donies'.ic life 
upon the farm which is still their home and their 
union has been blessed with one cliild, a little 
dauo-hter, Maggie R. Their dwelling is a neat and 
tasty residence situated in the midst of a richly 
cultivated farm of one hundred and thirty acres. 
The entire amount is under fence, he has built a 
new barn among other improvements, has a good 
orchard, the latest machinery, two excellent teams 
and a number of hogs and cattle. A glance at the 
home indicates the thrift and enterprise of the 
owner who is accounted one of the progressive as 
well as substantial farmers of the community. 

Mr. Wickham has served as School Director in 
his township and also as Clerk of the School I5oard 
and upon the (H'tit jury. He belongs to the Farm- 
ers Mutual IJenclil Association, holding moml.K>rshi|) 
in S|)ring Creek Lodge and in politics is a stanch 
Ue|)ublican, warmly adhering to the principles of 
that party. The confidence and respect of thecom- 
nmnity is given to Mr. Wickham who is a young 
man of^iSteriing jwortli, well-informed on all sub- 
jects of generalj interest and deserving (he esteem 
which is accorded him. 



?RED DOERFLER. Throughout the entire 
S^ history of the world we find the influence 
§i ' of personal character is immeasurable. It 
is said that India was saved by the personal chai'- 
acter of Sir John Lawrence, and similar instances 
are common. In Sangamon County much has 
been accomplished 1)3' the steady persistence and 
umlaunted energy of her citizens. In noting what 
has been effected through their influence we cer- 
tainly cannot omit mention of Mr. Doertter, who 
resides on section 3, Woodside Township, where lie 
o>vns and operates a brickj^ard, with a capacity of 
two millions of brick per 3'ear. 

In glancing back over the ancestral liistor3- of 
our subject, vie tind that his father was the late 



John A. Doerfler, a native of Germany, where he 
was reared and educated. There also he was united 
in marriage with Margaret Conahmida Doerfler, 
who was born in the same country. In 185i' they 
emigrated to America, crossing the broad Atlantic 
and proceeding direct to Sangamon County, this 
State. They settled in Springfield, where they con- 
tinued t© reside until 18G5. At that time they 
located in Springfield Township and commenced 
the manufacture of lirick, continuing in that busi- 
ness until the death of the father, which occurred 
in March, 1887. 

The parental family included seven children, 
five sons and two daughters, of whom Fred, our 
subject, was the sixth in order of birth. He was 
born in Germany, October U), 1851, and conse- 
quently was only about one year old when he was 
brought by his parents to America. He was reared 
in Sangamon County, receiving such education as 
was afforded by the pioneer schools of that da3'. 
He remained with his father until his marria"-e, 
which was celebrated in Springfield, III., February 
8, 1876. The bride was Miss I5ridget A., daugh- 
ter of John and Mary (Devine) Sheehan, both na- 
tives of Ireland. Mrs. Sheehan died in Springfield 
in August, 188G; she was the mother of eleven 
children, of whom Mrs. Doerfler was the ninth in 
order of birth. The latter was l)orn April 9, 1858, 
in Springfield. 

The happy union of our subject and his estimable 
wife has been blessed by the birth of the following 
children, whose names are iiere given: Freddie, 
Emma, Willie, George, F]dward, Agnes, Joseph, 
Maggie and Annie. The two latter are deceased. 
The children will be given the advantages of thor- 
ough educations, and are being trained to become 
useful and patriotic citizens of this country. Im- 
mediatcl3^ after the marriage of Mr. Doerfler he 
began to operate a brickyard for his brother John, 
and Capt. Isaac Keys, and continued thus emplo3'ed 
for two or three j-ears. He then engaged in busi- 
ness with his father and a j-ounger brother, and 
the three ensuing years were thus passed. 

In 1882 the partnership which had i)cen advan- 
tageousl3' carried on, was dissolved, and our sub- 
ject became associated with Capt. Isaac Keys. They 
conducted a prosperous business for a period of 



752 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



seven years, and until the spring of 1890, when 
Mr. Doerfler purchased the entire interest. This 
he is managing successfully, doing a good business 
and filling the many orders to the entire satisfac- 
tion of the (Histomers. His family are comfortably 
domiciled in a neat and commodious residence near 
the brickyard, and in this pleasant home tliey en- 
tertain their numerous guests, who congregate 
there from far and near to pass a few happy hours 
in the companionship of the kindly host and his 
hospitable wife. 

In political circles Mr. Doertler exerts consider- 
able influence in behalf of the Democratic party, 
uniformly voting that ticket and working in the 
interests of its candidates. Socially, he is identi- 
fied with the Modern Woodmen of America. He 
and his wife are faithful members of the Catholic 
Church, and have done much to advance its inter- 
ests and upbuild the church of which they are 
regular attendants. The confidence tiie people re- 
pose in Mr. Doerfler is amply displayed by his elec- 
tion to the office of Township Treasurer for the 
second term, and he is also serving as Highw.ay 
Commissioner. He merits the esteem in which lie 
is held, and has done much to advance the inter- 
ests of the community in which he is an honored 
citizen. Mr. Doerfler is the patentee of a machine 
for brick-m.aking, the patent for which was issued 
March 2, 1886. This machine is called the New 
Improved Champion of the West. 

In connection with his biographical review, the 
readers will find a lithographic portrait of Mr. 
Doerfler. 



-^^ 



-^ 



lk^> EAD WOODSON COLEAN. Cotton Hill 
Township is not without its share of the 
well-regulated farms, the income from 
wiiich forms so large a part of the wealth 
of this county. One of these carefully-cultivated 
tracts of land belongs to the gentleman whose cog- 
nomen introduces these paragraphs. It is located 
on section 29, and consists of four hundred and 
twelve acres, on which buildings of substantial 
construction and good design have been erected. 
A visitor to the estate will find that modern meth- 



ods are used in the work performed, that imi>roved 
machinery is at hand, and various arrangements 
have been made by which the soil can be more 
easily tilled and the crops more perfectly garnered 
and disposed of. 

A few items regarding the parents of our subject 
will aid the reader in his comprehension of the char- 
acter of the son. Joseph H. and Maria (Gilliam) 
Colean were born in .lersey County, this State, and 
there began their wedded life. In the fall of 1854 
the3' removed to this county, taking up their per- 
n)anent residence on section 29, Cotton Hill Town- 
ship. There the wife breathed her last in June, 
1889, and the husband in September, following. 
Mr. Colean held the office of Justice of the Peace 
for eight years and was also Township Supervisor. 
In the years prior to the emancipation of the slaves 
he was an Abolitionist, and until his death he voted 
the Rei)ublican ticket, with the exception of the 
last two years when he supported the Prohibition 
ticket. He and his wife belong to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and in the right principles of 
living the}' earnestly endeavored to rear their fam- 
ily. They had eight children of whom our subject 
is the fifth in order of birth. 

Mead W. Colean was born in Jersey County, III., 
September 9, 1852, but from his infancy has resided 
in Cotton Hill Township, this county. In hercom- 
mi)n schools he was educated, gaining a practical 
understanding of the branches taught therein, and 
in his contact with humanity here he has learned 
other and even more important lessons. While 
quite young he became acquainted with farm work, 
which his tastes led him to adopt as his avocation. 
He was married in Springfield to Emma Batcman, 
a native of that city, with whom he lived happily 
until May 2, 1874. The wife was then called from 
time to eternity, leaving to her husband's care a 
son, Joseph H. 

In Pawnee Township, March 29, 1877, Mr. 
Colean led to the hymeneal altar Abbie L. Babb, 
the eldest of the six children born to Lemuel M. 
and Helen (Boardraan) Babb. Her ancestry is fur- 
ther noted in the sketch of L. M. Babb. found 
elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Abbie Colean was 
born in Cotton Hill Township, November 2, 1856. 
She finds her greatest pleasure in looking after the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOCRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



r53 



wants of lier tiusbaiid and children, but still lias 
time for the social and religious duties which she 
owes. Five children have come to bless the home 
and upon them have been bestowed the names of 
Aiigie, Cora K., Helen, Mead and Lydia. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Coiean belong to the Rleth- 
odist Episcopal Church and the former has filled 
the oflfice of Steward. He has also been a School 
Director, in which position he acted with credit. 
I'olitically he is a Prohibitionist. A reliable citi- 
zen, a man of intelligence and kindly' spirit, and 
one who is considerate in his social and domestic 
relations, j\lr. Coiean is well regarded by his fellow- 
men. 



ENRY D. TURLEY. The fertile soil of 
SangaiiiOTi Count3' affords adequate remu- 

\-^ neration for the labor expended upon il by 
a large number of agriculturists, who, as a 
class, are industrious, energetic and thrifty. From 
year to 3'ear they are surrounding themselves with 
more and more of comfort and beauty, and taking 
a larger part in advancing the best civdization. 
One of this r.umber is the gentleman above named, 
who is the owner and occupant of a valuable estate 
in Clear Lake Township. It consists of one hundred 
and sixty-six acres on section 32, and is furnished 
with a com|)lete set of fine, substantial buildings. 

Mr. Turley, although himself a native of this 
Stale, comes of old Kentucky families. His parents, 
Thom.as J. and Slary F. (Trotter) Turley, were 
born in the Blue Grass State, but were married in 
this county Se|)tember 27, 1827. The father had 
come to the Slate in 1825, making his home in 
Logan County for about two years. After his 
marriage he located on section 28, Clear Lake 
Township, where he entered land, upon wdiieh he 
sijenl the remainder of his life. He was one of the 
leading members of the community in his day. He 
held the ottice of Justice of the Peace for many 
years and was still lilling it wlien called hence, in 
1850. He was then sixty-four jears of age. Dur- 
ing the Blacli Hawk War he had fought in defense 
of the homes of the settlers. He belonged to tlie 
Christian Church, as did his good wife, who lived 



to a ripe old age, breathing her last in 1877. Of 
the eight children born to the worthy couple four 
survive. 

Our subject opened his eyes to the light Febru- 
ary 3, 1836, on the homestead in this county, and 
in the log cabin built by his father. The lir.st 
schoolhouse to which he went was built of round 
logs, plastered with clay and straw, was heated by 
a fireplace with a stick and clay chimney, and sup- 
l)lied with furniture of tlie rudest description. 
The children, many of whom lived a long distance 
away, used to bring bottles of milk to scliool and 
set them in an adjacent spring to cool until the 
noon hour. Young Turley obtained a limited 
education, attending school a d.ay now and a day 
then as circumstances would permit. After the death 
of his father, which took place when the son was 
about fourteen years ohL the duty of caring for 
the family fell largely upon him. He was the 
only one of five sons to remain at home until he 
was of age. 

When be had reached his twenty-second year Mr. 
Turley went to Logan County, where he helped to 
break two hundred acres of prairie sod. He soon 
returned to this county, bringing with him a com- 
panion to wliom he was united in marriage Septem- 
ber 10, 1857. This lady bore the maiden name of 
Eliza J. Scrogin, and is a daughter of Leonard J. 
and Mary M. (Siinms) Scrogin. She is a twin 
sister of the wife of Doyle Wright, a very wealthy 
citizen of Logan County. In that county Airs. 
Turley was born, her parents having lived there 
since their \outh. Her mother was born in C'ul- 
|)eper, Va., and her father in Shawneetown, this 
State. Both are living, and four of their five chil- 
dren also survive. Mrs. Scrogin belongs to the 
Christian Church. The children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Turlejare thirteen in number, those who are 
now living bearing the names of Fanny A., Mary 
A., Charles L., Maggie M., Chloe E., Hattie P.., 
Frank L., Ernest D. and Ik'ssie. The oliiers died 
in infanc}'. 

On the eve of May 1 8, 1 883, a cyclone passed over 
Mr. Turley's farm, completely demolishing his fine 
house, barn and other buildings. The family, see- 
ing the terrible storm approaching, took refuge in 
the basement of the building and escaped harm, 



7r)4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



although the house was wrecked over their heads 
and they were left homeless. Several neighbors 
were killed or maimed by the destroying element 
whose track was but an eighth of a mile in width 
hut traversed a region several miles in length. 
Mr. Tnrley has replaced the buildings and recov- 
ered from the temporary embarrassment into which 
lie was thrown by the catastrophe. 

Our subject formerly voted the Republican 
ticket but is now throwing his influence into the 
Proliibition ranks, believing that the liquor tralJic 
is the great curse of the land and that his duty to 
his fellow-men requires him to war against it. He 
lias always been a strong temperance man and for 
several years has occupied the front rank among 
temperance workers in this section. He is iden- 
tified with the Good Templars' society and with the 
Farmers' Mutual Benefit A.ssociation. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Turley belong to the Christian Church, 
in which he served as a Deacon for twenty-five 
years and is now an Elder. Mr. Turley is one of 
those who arc proud to claim a personal acquaint- 
ance with Abraham Lincoln and to acknowledge 
that from "Honest Old Abe'' he often received a 
father's advice. 



sTg^ORM AN L. FREEMAN. This gentleman is 
I jfj especiallj^ well known to those who have 
: ji /f^ occasion to keep posted regarding legal 
events, as he is and has been for years, the Supreme 
Court Reporter in Springfield. He was born in 
Caledonia, Livingston County, N. Y., May 9, 1823. 
His parents, Truman and Hannah (Dow) Freeman, 
were natives of New Hampshire, whence they had 
removed to New York at so early a day that the 
trip was considered a great undertaking. The 
father became a dealer in boots, shoes and leather 
findings in Albany, where he died in 1824. Of the 
family born to the worthy couple eight lived to 
maturity. The only survivors are Hannah, widow 
of Foster Lowery, whose home is in Livingston 
County, N. Y., and whose age is eighty six j'ears; 
and the subject of this biographical sketch. Dr. 
John D. died at Carbondale, this State, and two 



brothers breathed their last in 1889; Dan in Cali- 
fornia and George in Cleveland, Ohio. 

The Freemans trace their ancestry back a few 
generations to England and the Dows were 
also of English extraction, belonging to the Quaker 
stock. The maternal grandmother of our subject 
was a Greeley, descended from men of that name 
who came to Massachusetts in 1640. The gentle- 
man of whom we write accompanied his widowed 
mother to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1831, and six 
years later removed to Detroit. During his boy- 
hood he spent three years working in the store of 
David Cooper and in 1840 went to Cleveland, Ohio, 
where a brother was living, in whose store he worked 
a few months and then entered the academy. 
Thence he entered the Ohio University at Athens, 
then under the presidency of W. H. McGuffy, whose 
name is well known and is highly honored by educa- 
tors the country over. Two of the fellow-students 
of Mr. F'reeman were S. S. Cox and Milton Latham, 
the former of whom was the champion of the 
Atheneuin and the latter of the Philomatliean 
Society, both being members of the latter. 

In 1843 Mr. Freeman went to Kentucky, 
where he engaged in teaching as a temporary ex- 
(ledieiit by which to add to his means while pre- 
l)ariiig to practice law. He studied while teaching, 
and in 1846 began his legal labors in Morganfield. 
Union County. In 1851 he removed to Shawnee- 
town. III., where, during the ensuing eight years, 
he devoted himself to his professional duties in a 
manner which won the respect of his acquaintances. 
He then bought a farm in Marion County, Mo., 
and made it his home three years. The unpleas- 
antness occasioned by the outbreak of the Civil 
War led him to return to Shawnectown in 1862. In 
1863 he was appointed Supreme Court Reporter 
and is now serving on his fifth term of six years 
each. The long continuance of his labors in this 
capacity affords conclusive evidence of the zeal 
which he has manifested in his endeavors to have 
the records accurate, and testifies to his success in 
his attempts. 

Mr. Freeman was fortunate in winning for his 
wife a lady of refinement and worth of character, 
in whose companionship he has found his chief 
delight. This lady boie the maiden name of Tran- 




% 



W!^. H. PARK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



75r 



quilla Richeson, was born at Lynchburg, Va., to 
Alfred and Elizabeth Dabney (Williamson) Riche- 
son, and in the paternal line coraos of an old Vir- 
ginia family. The marriage of Mr. Freeman and 
Miss Richeson was solemnized December 20, 1849. 
To them liave been born five children. Julia died 
when two years old. The living are Mar}' Dow, 
Libbie H., William R. and Georgia L. Tlie last- 
named is the wife of John II. Brinkerhoff. Mr. 
Freeman votes the Democratic ticket. 



ylLLIAM H. PARK. The late Willi;un II. 
Park was identified with the history of 
Cotton Hill Townsliip during a period of 
about twenty years and in that time won an envia- 
ble reputation. It was a cause of sincere regret to 
a large circle of acquaintances that his career was 
cut short in the height of his usefulness, and that 
the idaees that once knew him will know him no 
raoie forever, His untimely demise occurred at 
his home June 14, 1889. 

Mr. Park was born in Virginia, October 11,1839, 
but spent much of his early life in Ohio, which was 
the home of his parents fora number of years. His 
father, tlie Rev. Samuel Park, of the Methodist 
Churcii, was actively engaged in the ministry at 
the time of his death, which took i)lace in Missouri. 
He and his wife, formerly' Elizabeth McKee, came 
to Sangamon County from the Buckeye State in 
1865, but Mrs. Park died in Iniliana. The son, 
who is the subject of this biography, adopted the 
occupation of a farmer and to it devoted the greater 
part of his time and attention. He was, however, 
engaged in mercantile pursuits for eleven years on 
the homestead now occupied by his widow. At 
the time of his death his land there comprised 
eighty acres, on wiiich he had erected a complete 
set of buildings of the best class. 

For four years Mr. Park filled the office of Super- 
visor of Cotton Hill Township and was the incum- 
bent of the position at the time of his death. He 
iiad held various other offices of importance, and 
in every position to which he was called manifested 
an earnest desire to advance the best interests of his 



lellow-men and brouglit to bear upon every ques- 
tion the full strength of his mind. lie was an 
active member of the Jlethodist E|nscopal Churcli, 
in wliich ho held the different offices — Steward, 
Trustee, and Class-r>eader. He took a deep inter- 
est in the proper instruction of the rising genera- 
tion in the common schools and the Sunda3--schools 
and ■.< as Superintendent of the latter for several 
years. His life was characterized 1)3' sincere piety, 
uncompromising rectitude and social qualities that 
gained for him the love and esteem of his neigh- 
bors. Ilis influence was widely felt during his 
earthly pilgrimage and is not j-et lost, although he 
has gone before. 

At the bride's home, November 2, 1865, Mr. 
Park was united i:i inarriage with Miss Arstella J. 
Snodgrass. This lady is a daughter of the late 
Samuel D. Snodgrass, and his wife, Nancy Haines, 
the latter of whom is still living in Cotton Hill 
Township. Mr. Snodgrass was born in Tennessee, 
September 7, 1812. and died in this county August 
.31, 1862. Mrs. Snodgrass is a native of Barren 
County, Ky,, her natal day having been August 17, 
1816. Their family consisted of twelve sons and 
daughters, the only survivors being Mrs. Park, and 
Samuel N. Mrs. Park was born in Cotton Hill 
Township on Christmas daj-, 1846, and with the 
exception of four years iii the early part of her 
married life has always resided here. Those few 
years were spent in Christian Count}'. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Park six children were born 
and two were called away in infancy. Those who 
lived to mature years are Alice J., Alvin L., Nora 
F., and Fredah P. The eldest. Alice J., is now the 
wife of Charles Davis; Nora F. married Owen C. 
George, and the others remain with their mother 
in their cozy and beautiful home. The Christian 
virtues of the father and mother have had their due 
wei<:ht in molding the characters of tlie children 
and the educational advantages secured to them 
have added to their thorough equipment for the 
battle of life. Mrs. Park belongs to the Christian 
Church and is regarded as one of its most worthy 
members. 

This brief biographical notice and the portrait 
of Mr. Park on another page will perpetuate for 
coming generations the career and features of one 



f58 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of Sangamijii County's most valued citizens, and 
one whose influence is still widely felt in the com- 
munity of which he was for many years a prominent 
resident. 



OSEPH II. DRENNAN is a member of the 
County Board of Supervisors, representing 
Woodside Township, of which he is one of 
the leading citizens and one of its most pro- 
gressive farmers and stock-growers. His famih' 
name is indissolubly linked with the early history 
of Sangamon County, as his paternal grandfather, 
who bore the same name as himself, was the second 
settler in this part of Illinois. His father als*) 
actively aided in the early development of this 
region. 

The father of our subject the late Jackson Dren- 
nan, was born in Kentucky, but soon after his 
birth his parents came to Sangamon County and as 
before mentioned settled here where but one wliite 
famih' had preceded them. In the account of the 
earl3' settlement of Ball Township, given in the 
history of Sangamon County, there is an interest- 
ing description of this earl}' settlement. The 
mother of oui' subject was .Sarah Iluiley prior to 
iier marriage and she was born in Tennessee. Her 
parents were also early pioneers of this county, 
coining here when she was a child. The parents of 
our subject were reared and married amid pioneer 
scenes and settled in Ball Township. The}' after- 
ward removed to Woodside Township, where they 
passed the last years of their life, she d\ing March 
3, 1869, and he November 27, 1882. They had 
eight children, two sons and four ilaughters, of 
whom the following three are living: Amanda, 
wife of S. U. Morrison, of Ball Township; Nancy, 
wife of Levi Cassid}-, of Woodside Tonnshii), and 
Joseph II. 

The latter who forms the subject of this sketch 
was Lorn in Ball T(jwnship, April 7, 1853. He 
was subsequently brouglit to Woodside Tovvnship, 
and here grew to man's estate, laying the founda- 
tion of a liberal education in the common schools. 
He afterward attended Illinois College at Jack 



sonville for one year, and when starting out on 
life's journey on his own account was well prepared 
for what lay before him. He was bred to the call- 
ing of a farmer, and having a natural aptitude for 
this noble vocation, he selected it as the one best 
suited to his taste, and has ever since followed it 
with marked success. He owns two hundred and 
twenty acres of land which are finely cultivated 
and well improved. He has erected a substantial 
set of buildings and ever}'thing about the place 
shows excellent management on the part of the 
owner. 

November 27, 1871, our subject was wedded to 
Miss Mattiie E. Forbts, a daughter of William and 
FAizn P. (Stour) Forbes. Her father died in Ten- 
nessee and her mother is now a resident of Wood- 
side Township. Mrs. Drennan was the fourth of a 
family of live children and was born in Tennessee. 
Her marriage with our subject has brought to them 
one child, Hattie F. 

Well educated, liberal in his views, generous as 
regards money matters, and alwa3's gentlemanly 
and genial, our subject is popular with the entire 
community. His .active progressive spirit and well 
balanced intellect, amply fit him for public life and 
he has been called to fill various responsible posi- 
tions. He was elected Supervisor in the month of 
April, 1889, and so well did he represent Woodside 
Township as a member of the County Board, he 
was re-elected in April, 1890, to the same position. 
He has been School Director, and is deeply inter- 
ested in educational matters. In politics he is a 
sound Deraociat and is a leader in his party in this 
section of the State. 



S. DUNCAN is one of the leading busi- 
/^ ness men of Salisburv. He has been promi- 
^^^' nenlly connected with the mercantile inter- 
tSls of that vill.age, and also devotes considerable 
attention to farming and stock-raising. Being 
widely and favorably known throughout the com- 
munity liis many friends will receive this sketch 
with iuteiest, and we are pleased to record it in 
the history of his native count}'. He was born in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



759 



Salisbury, May- 31, 1854, and is a son of William 
T. H. Duncan, a native of Adair County, Ky. His 
grandfather, Marshall Duncan, also a native of that 
State, was a iiatter by trade and with his wife and 
two cliildren, W. T. H. and James, who were twin 
brothers, emigrated to Illinois, locating in what 
was tiien Menard County, but is now part of San- 
gamon County. He entered land and engaged in 
farming in connection with his trade, and by the 
pursual of the two occupations became a well to-do 
citizen. He was accompanied to his new iiomo in 
the West by his father, James Duncan, who was a 
representative of one of the first families of Vir- 
ginia. Both gentlemen died in Salisbury Township. 

William T. H. Duncan, father of our subject, 
was a young man when his parents came to Illi- 
nois. In his youth he had learned the hatter's 
trade and for some years worked with his father in 
lliat line. Trouble with the Indians arising, he 
responded to a call for troops to bring the red men 
under subjection, in 1829, and served until the 
close of the Black Hawk AVar. In 1831 he married 
Eve Miller and then turned his attention to farm- 
ing, cle.aring, developing and improving a small 
tract of land. He also engaged in the grocer3' 
business for some years with good success. He 
possessed more than ordinary business ability, was 
a well-educated man, a fine scribe, and was cmploj'ed 
at school-teaching as a means wliereby to add to 
his income. His success in life is due to his enter- 
prise and judicious management, and he may truly 
he calleil a self-made man. He w.as honored with 
a number of local offices, the duties of which he 
discharged in a prompt and efficient manner. In 
political sentiment he was a supporter of the 
Democracy and in religious belief was a Baptist, 
having served for many }-ears as Deacon in the 
ehurcli organization in which he held membership. 
He died in Salisbury in 1861, at the age of fifty- 
live years, and the county lost one of its best 
ciii/ens. 

The wife of William T. II. Duncan, and the 
mother of our subject, was born in Adair County, 
Ky.. December 11, 1813, and was a daughter of 
Solomon Miller, who' was also a native of Kentucky, 
whore his boyhood days were spent. He married 
in that State and with his family came to Illinois 



in 1820, traveling by wagon across the country. 
He located on one hundred and sixty acres of raw 
land in Salisbury Townsliip, and in connection 
with farming eng.aged in the distillery business. 
Although he was in limited circumstances on his 
arrival he acquired a handsome property and did 
not a little for the upbuilding of the community 
in which he made his home. He gave fort}' acres 
for the town site of Salisbury, which was named in 
his honor — Sol'sbury, which was changed to Salis- 
bury, its present mode of spoiling. Hunting was 
a favorite amusement to him and many a deer has 
fallen b}' his rifle in the early days of the county. 
He also took a great delight in hunting for wild 
honey and often returned from such an expedition 
with several barrels of that article. In the Miller 
family there are ten children, of whom the young- 
est is fifty-eight \ears of age. Only one death 
has occurred among the number. The eldest Bar- 
bara, is now Mrs. Buchanan, of S|)ringficld; Eve, 
mother of our subject, is the second in order of 
birth; Mrs. Melinda Hoag died in Salisbury Town- 
ship in 1888. She was followed by Mrs. Sarah 
Lynch, of Springfield; Docia, wife of the Rev. Til- 
for J. Clark, of Salisbury; Jason, of Salisbury; 
John, who is living in Louisiana; Allen, a resident 
of Petersburg, Menard County; Mrs. Nanc}' Mc- 
Murphy, of Springfield; and G. Washington, of 
Salisbury. The members of this family met in a 
reunion in 1887 in our subject's pasture, where all 
were i)resent and where a most enjoyable day was 
spent. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, twelve 
in number, are: Marion M., a fruit farmer and Jus- 
tice of the Peace of Salisbury; James T., a farmer 
of Salisbury Township; Polly A., wife of O. B. 
Baker, of Salisbury; Simeon S., station agent and 
grain dealer of Atterberry, Menard County; Sarah, 
J., now Mrs. Combs, of Shelby County, III.; Mrs. 
Martha M. Cogdall, of Salisbury Township; Mar- 
garet, wife of Dr. Purvines, of Salisbury; Mrs. 
Nancy E. Conner, of Macoupin County, 111.; 
George AV.. a farmer of Menard County; Fairinda, 
now Mrs. Balterton, of Athens; Mrs. Alice E. 
Yoakum, residing in Washington; and T. S., of 
this sketch. 

Our subject was reared in his native village and 



fee 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



acquired his education prior to tiie age of twelve 
years, when he began life for himself. Ho is a 
self made man and deserves no little credit for the 
success which has crowned liis efforts. He entered 
upon his business career as clerk for Mr. Combs 
who had ciiarge of a store in Salisbury, but after a 
short time he was employed as salesman with Mr. 
Hicks, a general merchant of that place, with whom 
lie remained until his uncle, George Miller, opened 
a general merchandising store, when he entered 
his employ, serving in the capacity of salesman 
and book-keeper for three years. He next engaged 
in clerking for O. R. Baker until 1872, when he 
embarked in the drug business in Salisbury, ad- 
mitting to partnership, after a short time, his 
cousin, S. T. Duncan. For a year the business was 
carried on under the firm name of T. S. & S. T. 
Duncan, when the connection was discontinued and 
our subject, selling out, returned to the emploj- of 
Mr. Battertun. 

In 1874, in Menard County, Mr. Duncan was 
united in marriage with Miss Mattie Hodgin, who 
was borr. in Texas but was reared in Menard 
County'. She survived her marriage only about a 
j'ear. Having lost all of his accumulated posses- 
sions, Mr. Duncan had to begin life anew. He 
continued clerking for Mr. Batterton until 1877. 
when his employer, purchasing a stock of goods, 
opened a new store. The store was sold and pur- 
chased by Mr. Duncan. After eighteen months he 
had been so successful that he was enabled to 
make the last payment upon the stock. Having 
now become proprietor of the store, he carried on 
general merchandising, but made a specialty of 
drugs, and an excellent trade in that line has added 
not a little to his income. Messrs. McMurphy and 
Freeman and himself are the only gentlemen that 
have met with success in this line of trade. He 
manages his business on temperance principles, 
selling no intoxicating liquors whatever except for 
medicinal purposes. By precept and example he 
has supported the cause of temperance and aided 
not a little in its advancement. He h.is now dis- 
posed of all other branches of merchandise, carry- 
inng on only the drug business. 

About 1885 Mr. Duncan purchased the old 
Miller homestead of one hundred acres on section 



28, Salisbury Township, and to its management 
gives his personal supervision. He has made a 
speccialty of the raising of hogs and horses and 
kept a stable of horses for sale in Sallsburj'. He 
also owns a standard-bred stallion, Denmark, which 
is three years old. He ships annually about two or 
three carloads of hogs of the best breeds, which in 
consequence bring him the best market price. 
His farm has all the improvements necessary to a 
model farm of the nineteenth century, including a 
good brick residence and barns and a fine orchard, 
and is watered by never-failing springs. In poli- 
tics Mr. Duncan is a Democrat, and as every true 
American should do, feels an interest in political 
afifairs, but does not aspire to official distinction. 
Socially he is a member of the Farmers' Mutual 
Benefit Association. To say that he is a man of 
good business ability would give aver}' inadequate 
idea of the thrift and enterprise which has charac- 
terized his business career, which has also been 
marked by a sagacity and judgment which seems 
far beyond his j'ears. As the result of fair and 
honest dealing he has won the respect of all with 
whom he h.as come in contact, and the high esteem 
in which he is held is well merited. Since the 
above was written our subject has taken a life part- 
ner in the person of Miss Hattie E. Rliodes, daugh- 
ter of William and Annie Rhodes, the wedding 
taking place at the bride's home, October 22, 1890. 



-i^gP^^^H- 




KTER VREDENBLTRGH. Among the 
business enterprises which have their cen- 
ter in Springfield, the lumber trade is an 
important one. In this business the gen- 
tleman whose name introduces these paragraphs has 
been engaged for several years handling everything 
in the lumber line. He now has the largest retail 
lumber trade in the State, outside of Chicago. In 
the business in which he is engaged, he succeeded 
his father, the late John S. Vredenburgh, who had 
carried on the enterprise for more than twenty 
years. 

The father of our subject was born in Somerset 
County, N. J., March 11, 1809, and entered a large 



? -; 




;«%, 






,f: 



cyi ^/? ^C^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



763 



dry goods house in New'York City wlien a boy. 
Tlieio lie re 111. li lied until he was twenty-one years 
old, when he married Ann E. Doreinus, ad.iughter of 
Francis Doremus, of New York. In 183.5 lie 
brought his family to this State, loc.iting on land 
wliicli he had previously ijurchased in this county. 
After living on the farm a few years he engaged in 
the sale of merchandise in Springfield. After car- 
rying on the business more than a decade lie s ild 
out, returned to the farm for a few years, and then 
embarked in the lumber business. lie was a mem- 
ber of tiie City Council two years and in 1865 was 
elected M.-iyor. Tlis death occurred March 7, 1879, 
and his wife followed him to the silent land a j'ear 
later. Tlie parental family comprised ten children, 
two of vvliom died in infancy. The others are still 
living, all in this county except a daughter, Anna 
E., now Mrs. Partridge, whose home is in Bowling [ 
Green, Mo. 

During the first few 3-ears after the Vreden- \ 
burghs came to this Stite their circumstances made ' 
bard work a necessity with the cliildren, and many 
privations were endured by every member of the 
family circle. The husband and father did not 
succeed as he had anticipated in farm life, and it 
was only after he had embarked in business in the 
city that he became prosperous. His wife, a woman 
of exceptional character, displayed the true hero- 
ism which makes the pioneer mothers worthy of 
all the admiration the present generation can be- 
stow. When the First Presbyterian Church on 
Spring Creek was being built Mr. A'redenburgh 
assisted by chopping timber, and his wife contrib- 
uted to the building fund by selling the only thing 
she had to dispose of, a colt given her by her father. 
Both had a full stock of faith which was rewarded 
by their ultimate success in life. 

Peter Vredenburgh, the first son and third child 
of his parents, was born in this county, F"cbruary 
7, 1837. He was reared to farm pursuits and in 
early life was obliged to work for himself. In 1878 
be succeeded his father in the lumber trade, which 
he has since continued with the result before men- 
tioned. For a short time he was engaged in the 
lime trade in Peoria and in Alton, having gone to 
the former place in 18,j7, spent two years there 
and a year in Alton. He then returned to the old 



homestead wliioli he still owns and upon which he 
maile his home for a number of jears. Mr. Vre- 
denburgh voles the Dcmocratie'.ticket, but takes no 
great part in political matters. He is a member 
of the School Board in which he is doing efBcient 
service in advancing the cause of education. His 
religious membership is in the First Presbyterian 
Church, of which his father was long Senior Elder. 
A man of strict business integrity, kindliness in 
domestic and social relations, and excellent moral 
character, Mr. Vredenburgh is looked upon with 
respect by those who enjoy his acquaintance. 

Mr. Vredenluirgh was fortunate in his choice of 
a life companion, winning Miss Marj' A. Canfield, 
a native of New Jersey, to whom he was married, 
January 21, 1867. This lad3' is a daughter of the 
Rev. Josiah F. Canfield, and possesses many of the 
virtues which belong to the typical woman. Eight 
living children add to the attractions of Mr. Vre- 
denburgb's home and in their growing intelligence 
and usefulness the parents take great delight. The 
older members of the circle are already drawing to 
the home pleasant acquaintances and congenial 
friends. Mr. and Mrs. Vredenburgh have lost two 
children who died in infancy. 



^f; MBROSE BO WEN CASS. The Cass fam- 
v@/lI| | ily were among the early settlers of this 
U ii county, and several of its members have 
^/ been conspicuously identified with its de- 

velopment for more than sixty years. Our subject 
coming here in his j-outh with his parents, Robert 
and Mar}' Cass, who were among the first settlers 
of Buffalo Heart Township, has been prominently 
associated with the agricultural interests of this sec- 
tion of the country for more than half a centurj'. 
He was one of the pioneers in fine stock-raising, 
and his held was not excelled. Now retired from 
active business he is spending the declining years of 
an honorable and well-spent life in his present 
home in the township mentioned, where he still has 
extensive landed interests. 

Mr. Cass is of Kentucky birth, born in Clark 
Count}', February 11, 1811. He came to this 



764 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



count)' with his father, mother, hrj)ther and sister 
in 1826, four" years previous to the winter of the 
deep snow. He still remembers that season and 
says that the flood following the melting of the 
snow was terrible. When he first came here wild 
animals were plentiful, and in this township he 
has seen as many as five hundred deer when sitting 
on his horse; this was before the deep snow, but 
after that they were not so plentiful. He was bred 
to the life of a farmer and has always followed that 
vocation. His energy, persistent and well-directed 
toil finally placed him among the wealthy farmers 
and stock-dealers of the county, and he developed 
one of the largest and finest farms within the 
borders of Buffalo Heart Township. He at one time 
owned eight hundred acres of land, but his old 
homestead now comprises only four hundred acres, 
as he has disposed of part of his really. He has 
been one of the principal stock-breeders in this 
section and the county is indebted to him for what 
he has done to promote that interest within its 
limits. He kept his farm well-stocked and the fine 
herds of cattle roaming over its pastures were not 
surpassed in any respect by those of his neighbors. 
His son keeps, ui) the reputation of the famil)' in 
that line, he being one of the best all around stock- 
men in the county. 

Our subject was happily married before he had 
attained his majority to Miss Malinda Burns, the 
wedding ceremony that made them one being per- 
formed January 17, 1830. Mrs. Cass was a daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Ridgeway) Burns, 
who were early pioneers of this county. ]\Irs. Cass 
was a woman of rare charity and goodness of heart, 
and the poor always found in her a ready sympa- 
thizer and helper, while her neighbors had in her a 
true friend. She was a devoted wife and a tendci' 
mother, and lier death wa a severe blow to her 
household. The happy wedded life of our subject 
and his amiable wife was blessed to them by the 
birth of eleven children, of whom two died in 
infancy and seven are now living. The youngest 
son, Harry, has madehishome with his father since 
the deatli of his mother in 1882. 

Coming here in pioneer times Mr. Cass has 
proved an invaluable citizen, as he was during his 
active life prominent in the work of improving the 



count)' and he has done as much as any other man 
to develop Buffalo Heart Tovvnship and place it 
upon a solid basis of enduring prosperity. He is 
one of the few survivors of the Black Hawk AVar. 
He was a member of the first Board of Agriculture 
in Sangamon County, and has never severed his 
connection with that organization which has done 
so much to forward the farming and stock-raising 
interests of this part of Illinois. He was for man)' 
years a member of the School Board and did good 
work in this township for the cause of education. 
In early life he was a Whig, but ui)on the formation 
of the Republican party became one of its mem- 
bers and has since been a firm adherent of the party. 
His life record is alike honorable to himself and to 
the tovvnship where he has lived so many years and 
he enjoys the respect and reverence of the entire 
community. 

On another page of this volume a portrait of 
Mr. Cass will be found. 



■ i - 



-€-*^- 



^. ENRY E. MUELLER, senior member of 
the firm of IL E. Mueller & Co., wholesale 
dealers in liquor, having a commodious 
i§0) establishment on the southeast corner of 
Jefferson and Sixth Streets, is one of the most 
active business men of tlie city of Springfield. The 
firm has one of the largest and only exclusively 
wholesale liquor houses in Springfield, carries a 
ver)' large stock, and besides having many salesmen 
in different parts of the State, ships goods to other 
States from its warehouses. 

Mr. Mueller was born in Germany June 14, 1844, 
and came to the United States in 1863. He located 
first at Indianapolis, Ind., and remained there until 
he went to Cincinnati, Ohio. In the fall of 1867, 
he came to this city and for a time was manager 
for Robert Ruldol[)h, having charge of his exten- 
sive brewing business until the next year, when he 
engaged in the wholesale liquor business on his own 
account. He was burned out in the great opera 
house fire on St. Patrick's Day 1876, but rebuilt 
the same year, and has therefore carried on business 
at his present location for the past twenty-two 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



765 



years. He and his partner carry llieir stock from 
the day it is made until the United States Govern- 
ment compels them to tai<e it out of tlie bonded 
warehouse, wliich is a i^eriod of three years, and 
consequently tlieir liquors are allowed to ri[)en :it 
Government expense. They employ in their busi- 
ness alone a capital of about $40,000 and they are 
constantly increasing their large trade. 

Mr. Muellerand Miss Genevieve Kiin of this city, 
who is of German parentage, were united in marriage 
April 13. 1868, and they have here established their 
pleasant home in one of the liandsome residences of 
West Springfield. They have nine children : Cath- 
erine, Jennie, Hans Edward, Anna, Clara, Stella, 
Ilulda, Robert and Mamie. Mr. Mueller is a man 
of more than ordinary shrewdness and activity in 
his business transactions, and in whatever lie under- 
takes ahv.ays displa3's marked foresight and sagacity. 
He is one of the moneyed men of the city and 
besides valuable property here has mining inter- 
ests in tlie West. 



> u l » | 



S*^*!-^^ 



<^^ IMLLIAM POOR. Perhaps no gentleman in 
\rJ// Curran Township is more widely known 
^p^ than William Poor, who was at one time 
one of the most extensive cattle dealers in the 
State. His experiences and observations, were they 
related in full, would make a volume, but it is not 
the purpose of the present record to enter into de- 
tail, however interesting such a history might be. 
It is sufflcient for our purpose to give the facts, 
which in themselves will indicate tlie character of 
the man to all thoughtful readers. 

The father of our subject was Ivan Poor, who is 
believed to iiave been born in Scotland and is 
known to have crossed the Atlantic and located in 
Tennessee. He was married in Fenton County, 
that State, to Mahala Enix, a daughter of William 
Enix, who came to this State in 1830 and carried 
on farm work in Ball Township until his decease. 
Ivan Poor came to this county the j-ear of the deep 
snow, and abandoning his trade of a plasterer, 
tarried on a farm for a few years. His wife, Ma- 
hala, died in Ball Township in 1832, and he subse- 



quently married Mary Morris. His own decease 
took place in Springfield in 1835. Our subject is 
the oldest of two cliildren borne by his mother and 
the only survivor of the family. His brother .lames 
died in Curran Township. His half-sister, Cather- 
ine, lived only to the age of sixteen years. 

William Poor was born in Fenton County, Tenn., 
November 27, 1828, and came to tliis county when 
about two years old. Wlien his father died, he and 
his brother went to live with their grandfather 
Enix on a farm, and were early set to work, as were 
other lads in the neighborhood. He guided the 
plow when he was so small that he was obliged to 
reach up to the handles, and broke prairie when 
but twelve years old. He hauled logs on Lick 
Creek with seven j'oke of oxen, and being a very 
industrious bo}' he always took the heavier end of 
the tasks rather than to allow his brother to do so. 
When his grandfather died he was but thirteen 
years old and he then went to live with A. Jones, 
liis brother becoming an inmate of the family of 
Philemon Stout. 

Mr. Jones died two years after our subject'went 
to him and William then worked out at $o per 
month on Brush Creek. In Cotton Hill Township in 
1848, he was married to Elizabeth Caroline Smith, 
a daughter of John Smith, of whom an account is 
given^in the biography of Thomas Smith, on 
another page in this Albu.m. After their marriage 
our subject, then but twenty 3ears old, took up 
regular farm work, operating land belonging to his 
father-in-law. He subsequently bought fifty acres 
in Curran Township, but soon sold it and purchased 
tvTO hundred and eleven acres in Springfield Town- 
ship. That tract he improved and operated, adding 
to it until it comprised three hundred and sixty- 
five acres and carried on an extensive stock busi- 
ness, driving his cattle to St. Louis. 

In 1864 Mr. Poor rented his place and went to 
Missouri, where he bought cattle, fed and sold 
them, making in the neighborhood of $50,000 dur- 
ing the seven or eight 3ears in which he was there. 
The cattle business at that time was attended with 
a great deal of danger, but Mr. Poor rode fearlessly 
over the State and was never molested but once. 
On that occasion four members of the State militia 
held him up and demanded $400, which he handed 



T66 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



over. They reraarUerl that he was rapir] at counting 
money and he replied tliat lie would not have much 
to count if lie met many like them. Being asked 
while operating in iMissouri, how he was able to 
make so' much money, Mr. Poor stated that he 
made half of it b^' minding his own business and 
the other half by letting other peo|)le's business 
alone. 

Returning from Missouri to this county Mr. Poor 
continued the cattle business, bu3ing Kansas range 
cattle and feeding them on his farm in Curran 
Township, and at Riverton. He fed as high as 
three thousand at once and was the most extensive 
dealer in the county. He shipped to Chicago and 
New York City, but unfortunately lost nearly all 
that he had made in IMissouri, while carrying on 
his work here. In 1876 he went to Texas, equip- 
ping eight men, and went with his cowboys to the 
southern part of the State where he bought herds, 
driving them to the northern boundary for sale. 
Here he again made money as a cattle man, but he 
remained there oidy a twelvemonth. 

In 1881 Mr. Poor went to Wyoming and kept 
"bach" near Laramie City for three years. He 
then sent for his family, having taken a desert 
claim of six hundred and forty acres. He went 
into tlie cattle business in partnership with Barney 
Hunter, of Buffalo, 111., raising from one thousand 
to four thousand head of cattle and five hundred 
and fifty or more head of horses per annum. In 
1887 he sold his ranch and stock to his partner, 
and returning to this county located in Springfield. 
He bought lots and built three houses on North 
Ninth Street and lived a retired life while his boys 
were attending the Mitchell Business College in 
that city. He still owns a residence and some lots 
on South Ninth Street. 

In 1888 Mr. Poor located on section 26, Curran 
Township, wliere his wife had come into the pos- 
session of one hundred and sixty acres of land. 
He has made the impi'ovements which forty acres 
of the estate bear and is engaged in general farming 
and stock raising. The entire property is fenced 
and is divided by the highway'. Mr. Poor being an 
excellent judge of cattle, keeps none but good 
grades, and he has some fine Gold Dust horses. He 
is ably assisted in his affairs 1)3' his tvvo sons, John 



and Thomas M., both of whom were graduated 
from the business college before mentioned. The 
first named is now Assessor of Curran Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Poor have two daughters, both 
happily married and established in homes of their 
own. Mary married AVilliam P. Cartwright and 
lives in Missouri, near Palmyra. Her family in- 
cludes five children. The second child, M. Jennj', 
married Cicero Cunningiiam and lives in Saratoga, 
Wyo. ; they have one child, Arthur. Mr. Poor has 
been School Director and he is a member of the 
Democratic part3'. Jovial and good natured, he 
has many friends who will be pleased to see this 
outline of his life histor3' in this volume. 



R. CALVIN A. FRAZEE, one of the young 
medical practitioners of the Capital City, was 
born in this county September 22, 1862, 
and is a son of Joseph L. and Irene (Mitchell) 
Frazee, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The 
Frazee family was originally from New Jersey and 
removed thence to the Buckeye State in an early 
da3'. There is a family tradition to the effect that 
the family originated in Scotland, but on account 
of religious persecution they emigrated to France, 
where the spelling of the name was changed from 
Frazer to Frazee. However, nothing authentic is 
known concerning the establishment of the family 
in this countr3'. Joseph L. Frazee, the father of 
our subject, was an Ohio farmer, who in 1855, 
accompanied by bis wife and children, came to 
Illinois. He located near Rochester, Sangamon 
Count}', where he resumed his former occupation. 
In the family were four children — John, who is 
now living near Hutchinson, Kan.; Mar}', who still 
resides on the homestead farm; Dr. Calvin A., 
whose name heads this sketch ; and Owes L., still 
at home. The father of this famil}' died in June, 
1877. He was a respected citizen and the entire 
community mourned his loss. 

The Doctor si)ent his boj'hood days upon his 
father's farm and in the district schools of the 
neighborhood began his education but later the 
advantages of the High School and Business Col- 



ii 




f ^f<a^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



769 



lege of Springfield were afforded him. His liter- 
ary education being comiileted, he entered the 
Homeoiiatiiic Medical College of Chicago, having 
determined to make the practice of medicine his 
life work. After a thorough course of study he 
was graduated with high honors in the class of '87. 
after which he spent eighteen months as a resident 
physician in the Homeopathic Hospital of that 
city. He then engaged in private practice in Chi- 
cago for about nine months, after which he re- 
turned to his native county, and locating at .Spring- 
field, opened an officf . He applies himself diligently 
to his business and by an excellent course of study 
has become tiioroughly competent to engage in 
the work. Altiiough young in years he has already 
acquiretl a practice which many an older physician 
might well envy, and each year sees a larger list 
of patrons seeking his services. The Doctor is a 
member of the State Homeopathic Medical Society. 
In politics he is a supporter of Republican prin- 
ciples. 



■^f/OHN W. FOSTER. The biography of a 
good man furnishes an excellent example for 
the youth of any country, exhibiting what 
^}!^JJ is in the power of each one to accomplish 
for himself and illustrating the results that may be 
obtained from persistent integrity. The enviable 
reputation and competency enjoyed by Mr. Foster 
have been gained by his own unaided efforts, and, as 
a native-born citizen of this county, it is especially 
atting that his portrait should be presented to his 
fellow-citizens and the main events of his life per- 
petuated for future generations. He is now one of 
the influential fai'mers and prominent stock-raisers 
of Curran Township, and his estate is embellished 
with substantial buildings anrl modern improve- 
ments. For an account of his ancestry' see biog- 
ra|)h}' of S. L. Foster, on another page of this 
volume. 

The gentleman of whom we write was born in 
Curran Township, January 29, 1833, and passed 
his childhood amid pioneer scenes. He can well 
remember when this country was but little better 
tiian a wilderness, where deer, wolves and other 



wild animals I'oamed at will and has a clear recol- 
lection of the times when there were no railways, 
canals or other public improvements. He saw the 
first steam cars in the State, which were run on a 
primitive railway with wooden rails. The school- 
house in which he obtained his education was built 
of logs; it was furnished with a log desk for the 
teacher and with slab benches; had a puncheon floor 
and a mud and stick chimne^y. In that rude edifice 
he obtained his early knowledge of books during 
the winter sessions of sc^hool. He was early set to 
work, and began to plow when he was so small that 
he had to reach up to drive the oxen, while some 
one else would hold the rough wooden mold-board 
))lovv, drawn by five yoke of cattle with which he 
helped to break prairie. He remained an inmate of 
the parental household until his marri.age, and after 
that he still continued to help his father, and oper- 
ated the farm on shares. He went into the sheep 
business very extensively and at one time had from 
two to three thousand head, but has now ab.an- 
doned it, selling his sheep a few years ago. 

In 1867 our subject became the proprietor of 
three hundred and twenty acres of the home farm 
and has since actively continued to engage in gen- 
eral farming, raising grain and stock. His land is 
all tillable; is neatly fenced into convenient fields, 
(he raising his own hedges); is well watered by 
White Oak branch, while beautiful groves and an 
orchard adorn the place. It is pleasantly located 
ten miles from Springfield and a niiU' and a half 
from Curran, and is amply provided with improve- 
ments of a high order including a large brick resi- 
dence which was erected in 1840. Mr. Foster buys 
and feeds cattle, purchasing as man}- as one hun- 
dred at a time; has sixteen head of draft horses of 
a good grade, using four teams on his farm, and 
keeps full-blooded Poland-China hogs. While he 
was in the sheep business he brought some good 
sheep to this county, and lias sold wool as high as 
$1 a pounil. 

Mr. Foster was married in March, 1881, in Cur- 
ran Township to Miss J. Dennis, a native of Ross 
County, Ohio. Mrs. Foster came here when she 
was a child with her parents, Nathan and Betsey 
Dennis, of Ohio, in the fall of 1850. Mr. Dennis 
is a farmer in Curran Township. Mr. and Mrs. 



770 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Foster have a very attractive home and to them 
have cowe two children, .John Q. and Roscoe. 

Mr. Foster is a true-blue Republican and is an 
honor to the citizenship of his native county. He 
is a man of warm, frank nature, exceedingly hos- 
pilable and is held in high regard by the entire 
community. He generously aids every enterprise 
which is formed for the benefitof his township, and 
as School Director and rrustee, which position he 
has held for years, he has done much to advance 
education in this i)lace. Ho is one of the leading 
members of the P'armers Mutual Benefit Association 
at Curran. Duiing the war he belonged to the 
Union League and was personally acquainted with 
Abraliam Lincoln. 



^Tps^ AXIKL G. KALB. A visitor to Roches- 
I Jj) ter Township would not long be ignorant 
^^^ of the n.ame and fame of this aged citizen, 
who for more than forty years has been 
connected with the development of this section in 
all that is most worthy. He was born in Frederick, 
Md., December 4, 1815, and is a son of Absalom 
and Susannah (Lnrkin) Kalb. In the [jaternal line 
he is descended from German Poles whose love of 
freedom was manifested in many ways and at length 
led members of the family to fight on American 
soil for the blessing denied them in its fidlness in 
tlieirown land. The renowned Baron DeKalb was 
of the same stock. 

In 1849 Mr. Kalb came to this count}', his par- 
ents and several brothers coming at the same time. 
He was at that time engaged in teaching, a profes- 
sion that he followed from the fall of 1837 until 
1854 with satisfactory results. About 1847 he 
entered the ministry and until 1864 was occupied 
in local work, doing all in his power, under God, 
to save sinners a'.id strengthen saints. When war 
spread a dark shadow over the country, he gave his 
strength to u[)hold the flag, enlisting in Company 
G One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, 
and did valiant service three years. He shunned 
no duty, but was ready and prompt at every eall, 
courao'eous in action and cheerful under privations. 



In 1841 Mr. Kalb was married to Mrs. Eliza S. 
Shutt, nee Bennett, widow of George W. Shutt, of 
Virginia. Tliis lady came to Sangamon County 
after the death of her first husband, in 1836, and 
was thus numbered among the old settlers, remain- 
ing here until 1841. While on a transient visit to 
her former home she was married to our subject, 
with whom she lived happily until called hence, 
February 3, 1881. By Mr. Shutt she had one daugh- 
ter who married Philip Shutt formerly editor of -the 
Edgar County Times. The children borne to Mr. 
Kalb were five, three sons and two daughters, 
earned respectively, E^thelbert, William, Edward 
B., George B., Mary Abner and Julia Maria. The 
last named died in 185'J, at the age of four years. 
William, who enlisted in the same company and 
regiment as his father, March 26, 1864, gave his 
young life to his countr}-. being killed in the battle 
of Guntown, Miss., June 10, 1864. Ethelbert was 
also a soldier, having joined the Thirty-third Illi- 
nois Infantry, August 20, 1861, and served nearly 
four years, receiving an honorable discharge at the 
close of the war. 

Mr. Kalb is a law-abiding, reliable citizen, and a 
man who takes nuicli interest in the welfare of future 
generations, and the means taken to ensure good 
institutions to posterity. He presented one hun 
dred volumes to the Young Men's Christian Associ- 
ation of Springfield, on its organization, and 
recently gave one thousand volumes to the Soldier's 
Home and Chaddock College in Quincy. Modest 
and unassuming, he is not inclined to speak of iiis 
own deeds, but the testimony of his acquaintances 
assures strangers that he is held in high esteem. 




TEPHEN STALEY is one of the foremost 
citizens of Loami Township, which he 
represents on the County Board of Super- 
visors, and as an enterprising and able farmer 
and stock-raiser he is doing much to increase the 
material welfare of this section of the country. He 
is a native of this township, born March 2, 1835. 
His father, Daniel Staley, was born in the eastern 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



771 



part of Virginia and was among tiie very early 
settlers of Sangamon County, making his way liitlicr 
in 1824 in a wagon across tlic many miles of wild 
country intervening between his old home and tiie 
new one that he intended to establish on the 
l)rairies of this Statu. He settled in Loami Town- 
ship where he eniered considerable land. But very 
few white people had located liere before, and deer, 
wolves, and wild game were very plentiful. He 
beeanie one of the most prominent pioneers of this 
section of the countr}' and at one time owned one 
thousand acres of land. Tliis venerable pioneer 
passed away at the age of eighty-four years in 1882. 
He had come here a poor man with lint §100 in his 
pocket, and in the busy years that foliowcd acquired 
a handsome properly, and while so dcing aided in 
the develoi)ment of the county which he had found 
a wilderness and left a wealthy and prosperous 
country'. 

The paternal ancestors of our subject came from 
Germany and settled in Virginia. The mother of 
our subject, whose maiden name was Rebecca 
Bovven, was born in IS'orth Carolina. She went 
from there with her parents to West Virginia, 
where she was married to Daniel Staley. She died 
in the '40s. Of iier marriage with the father of 
our subject eight children were born, two bo^s and 
six girls. 

The birthplace of our subject was the log house 
whicli his father had erected in the wilds of this 
county. His education was conducted in a sub- 
scription school that was taught in a log building 
with puncheon floor and slab seats. In 185;), at the 
age of twenty years, the stalwart, energetic young 
farmer engaged in agricultural pursuits for him- 
self, his father having given him one hundred and 
twenty acres of land which he t'arme<l and improved. 
He was prosperous in his calling and is now the 
owner of a large farm comprising three hundred 
and twenty acres of land that is ,as well tilled and 
finely improved as any in the township. He has 
placed upon it a neat set of farm buildings and in 
1880 erected his present commodious frame resi- 
dence. 

Mr. Staley was married to Miss Isabell Jacobs 
March lo, 1855. Mrs. Staley v/as born in Loami 
Township, and was a daughter of Daniel Jacobs, a 



native of Kentucky, and one of the early settlers 
of Sangamon County. Mrs. Staley was a woman 
of line character and of many pleasant personal 
attributes, which attracted to her many warm and 
true friends. Her death June 30, 1882, was a sad 
loss, not only to her husband and children but to 
the community. Her happy wedded life with our 
subject was blessed to them by the birth of the 
following eight children: Mollie E., Sarah A., 
Lizzie L., Sus.an, Dennis, Daniel, George (deceased), 
and one who died in infancy. 

Our subject is pre-eminent in the public and 
political life of the county. His fellow-citizens 
recognizing in him a man of more than ordinary 
calibre and of unswerving integrity, have often 
called him to fill responsible positions in civic life, 
and he has held all the township offices except that 
of assessor. He is the present representative of 
the township on the County Board of Supervisors, 
wluch position he has filled once before. He is 
prominently connected with the Masonic order, of 
which he has been a member for over twenty 
years. In politics he stands with the Democrats 
and has been a delegate to various conventions. 




yATRICK MURRAY, a wide-awake farmer 
))j of Curran Township and a verv popular 
member of society, is carrying on exten- 
sive agricultural and stock interests. His 
home is nine miles from Springfield and is one of 
the well-improved farms which make this county 
so attractive in appearance and so valuable as the 
center of well-developed industries. The land 
owned by I\Ir. Murray consists of two hundred and 
eighty-four acres on sections !> and 10. and eight}- 
acres on section 14, of the township before men- 
tioned. He bought the home farm when it was 
but partially improved and lias brought it up to its 
present fine condition by his personal efforts and 
good management. 

Mr. Murray is an Irishman, born in Newcastle, 
County Tipperary, in 1836. His ancestors were 
farmers and his father held official [losilions in the 
county. The grandfather and father of our sub- 



772 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ject each bore the c;iven name Jolin, and spent their 
entire lives in their iiative count}-. The mother 
of our subject^was born in tlie same county and 
bore tlie maiden name of ]Mar\' Carrigan; she is 
now deceased. The other members of the parental 
family also emigrated to America and several of 
them are living in this county. Mrs. Mary 
Kaling lives in Clear Lake Township; IMorris, in 
Woodside To"nship; Mrs. Bridget Whalen, in Talk- 
ington Townsliip, and William, in Woodside Town- 
ship; John is farming in Morgan County. Two of 
the family — Edward and Maggie, died in Curran 
Township. 

Our subject is the second child in the family and 
the oldest son. There was no free school system in 
Ireland during Ins boyhood years, and he had but 
limited school advantages, although his father was 
in quite good circumstances. After the death of 
the father, however, the lad was obliged to take his 
place as the head of the household, although he 
was quite young in years. Making up his mind that 
no headway could V)e made in the Emerald IsU. , lie 
determined to emigrate, hoping to better iiis con- 
dition in the land of whose resources he had heard 
such glowing accounts. In the spring of 1851, 
therefore, when but fifteen years old, he journrycil 
to Ijiverpool and thence took [jassago for Phila- 
delphia on a slow sailing-vessel. As he had not 
much money to spare, he came over on half rations, 
but gaining the favor of the Captain he did not 
suffer for the lack of plenty to eat. After a tedious 
voyage of seven weeks and three days he stepped 
foot on American soil with a cash capital of 
twenty-four cents. 

Young Murray found employment on a farm in 
Delaware County, Pa., and so well did he discharge 
the duties which lay before hiin tbathis employer 
kept him two years and gave him a man's wages. 
When he had been there a month, he sent three 
pounds home to his mother, and a few years later 
began to collect the family, paying their passage 
across at different times as he was able^to save 
money for that purpose. He remained in the Key- 
stone State until 1853, when he came West, making 
his first home in Morgan County. There he was 
engaged for seven years in feeding and tending 
cattle for Jesse Henry. He then rented land, but 



after operating it two years, determined to remove 
to this county. Here he rented raw land and with 
the assistance of his brothers, broke the prairie sod 
and prepared the ground to bring forth good crops. 
He has reclaimed over twelve hundred acres of 
land and paid out over $76,000 in rents in this 
county. 

In 187G Mr. Murray bought the farm he now 
owns and at once began adding to the Improve- 
ments thereon. His principal crops are wheat and 
corn and he raises large droves of hogs, finding 
profit in the home consumption of a great part of 
his grain. He buys and ships stock in large numbers 
and probably carries on as extensive a trade as any 
man in this vicinity. The brief outline which we 
have given of his life's labor, is yet sufficient to 
indicate the indomitable will, faithfulness in what- 
ever labor he undertakes and his affectionate nature, 
which are the leading characteristics in Mr. Mur- 
ray's character. As a self made map, he has been 
largely instrumental iti the present prosperity of his. 
brothers and sisters, and manifests a deep desire to 
have those arrangements made which will insure to 
the members of the families in this vicinity advan- 
tages which he did not possess, but whose lack he 
has overcome by his perseverance and quick wit. 

The wife of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Bridget Dalton, and was born in the same 
county as himself. Their marriage was solemnized 
in Woodside, Morgan County, March 10, 1860. 
Mry. Murray has been a devoted mother and her 
children owe much to lier loving care and good 
counsel, while to her husband she has been all that 
a faithful wife could be. The family of Mr. and 
Mrs. Murray includes the following named chil- 
dren: Mary, John, Bridget, Patrick, Maggie, 
Katie, Julia, Alice, Annie, Nellie and Joseph. The 
oldest daughter is the wife of Joseph Foley and 
lives in Woodside Township. The others, with 
the exception of Julia, who is now attending the 
Jacksonville Illinois Institute for the Deaf and 
Dumb, are still at iiome. 

Mr. Murray has served four years as Deputy 
County Sheriff, and at tlie recent election was the 
successful candidate on the Democratic ticket for 
the position of Sheriff. He has served his party as 
a delegate to county and State conventions and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 




as a member of the Central Committee. For a 
period of twelve years he was Commissioner of 
Highways, while his ability has been exercised for 
the good of the public in other official capacities, 
one of which was that of School Director. He is a 
Catholic, identified with the membership of the 
Church of the Immaculate Conception in Spring- 
field. 



LFRED J. MOORSHEAD. Among the 
worthy citizens and enterprising business 
li) men of Springfield may be numbered Al- 
,5^^ fred J. JMoorshead, whose jwrtrait is pre- 

sented on the opposite page and who occupies the 
dual positions of General Manager and Secretary 
of the St. Louis & Peoria Railroad, and General 
Manager and Assistant Treasurer of the Mt. Olive 
Coal Company. His mature years, with the excep- 
tion of a twelvemonth, have been devoted to rail- 
road service, and he his risen from a subordinate 
position to one of responsibility, wherein great 
executive ability is necessary. 

Mr. Moorshead is a native of London, England, 
born in 1853, and crossed the Atlantic to America 
in 1871. He located in Detroit, Mich., where he 
remained some years working for the Detroit, Lan- 
sing & Northern Railroad. He filled various posi- 
tions in the Auditor's office, from that of the lowest 
to chief clerk. After nine years spent with that 
company he became general book-keeper for the 
Chicago & West jNlichigan Road, his office being 
at Muskegan, Mich. Two years later he became 
assistant to the Superintendent of the Detroit, 
Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad, resigning 
ihe position after a year's incumbency to become 
accountant of the Chicago & Great Southern, with 
offices at Attica, Ind., and Chicago. 

After serving the last-named road two years Mr. 
Moorshead resigned his position in order to become 
Auditor and General Freight and Passenger Agent 
of the St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, which [)osilion 
he held until January, 1889, when the appointment 
of a receiver displaced him. He next became con- 
nected with the St. Louis & Peoria Railroad, then 
in course of construction, as Auditor and General 



Freight Agent. June 16, 1890, he was created 
Manager of the same road and General Manager 
of the Jit. Olive Coal Company. His experience 
has given him a thorough knowledge of the various 
departments of railroad management and the stock- 
holders of corporations for which he has worked 
consider him a valuable man. 

Mrs. JMoorshead, who is a charming, intelligent 
woman, bore the maiden name of Kate A. IMorgan 
and is a native of Detroit, Mich. The family of 
Mr. and Jlrs. Moorshead comprises four bright 
children: Alfred, Courtney, Olive and Bertha. Mr. 
Moorshead is a member of the Masonic order, hav- 
ing advanced to the rank of a Knight Templar. 
He is genial, well-informed ami well-bred, and has 
already become quite popular In Springfield. 



OHN D. WATERS is one of the foremost 
stockmen of Sangamon County, and to his 
active interest in his business and practical 
enterprise is it much indebted for the ini- 
provemenl of the standard of cattle raised within 
Its bounds during the last decade. He is conduct- 
ing his interests in Mechanicsburg Township, where 
he has a large well ordered farm finely adapted to 
stock-raising purposes and he has here one of the 
finest and best kept herds of cattle In the Stale. 

Mr. Waters was born November 2, 1851, in San- 
gamon County. He Is a son of John and Jane 
(Near) Waters. His father was a native of Virginia, 
and was one of the earl}' settlers of this county, 
being a prominent and respected citizen. Of the 
children born of the parents of our subject seven 
are living. The son of whom we write was bred 
to the life of a farmer, early displaj-ed a genuine 
liking for the calling and at tlie age of twenty-two 
jefrs adopted it for his life wc)rk. He then began 
farming for himself on eighty acres of land and 
has met with rare sueess In his vocation. To tire- 
less Industry' he adds Inisiness sagacity of a high 
order, and by these means has placed himself 
amongst the wealthy men of Mechanicsburg Town- 
ship. He owns here three hundred and forty-four 
acres of fine land, admlraljle for stock-raising. His 



776 



PORTRAIT AND BloaRAPHlCAL ALBUM. 



cattle are of the best, lieino brerl from thorough 
hred Short-horns, and in addition to the care he 
takes in breeding our subject gives them his personal 
allonlion as to health and feed, and the result is 
that he excels all others in the production of fine 
cattle, his herds being the most perfect, consider- 
ing the number, that enter the Chicago market. 
In hogs he handles only the best and in cows for 
variety and excellence his herds stand without .a 
rival. He is ever on the lookout for improvement, 
attending all the great fairs and sales for that pur- 
pose. He seems to be entirely absorbed in his stock 
business ami has made of it a conspicuons success. 
He stands high in linancial circles for square and 
honorable dealing, and his judgment on stock is 
taken without question, those depending on his 
word never having any cause to regret taking his 
advice in regard to cattle. lis is a member of the 
Society of Modern Woodmen and belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He is frank and open- 
hearted, is liberal to a degree and his public spirit 
has contributed to the growth of his township. 

Our subject has a cozy home and is happy in his 
domestic life. He was married March 3, 1871, to 
Amanda Lowe, a native of Indiana. He finds in 
her a wife who is devoted to his interests and rules 
the household with a firm and judicious hand and 
is a wise mother to their children, of whom they 
have tiiree — Eva May, Nellie Florence and Homer 
Forest — all of whom are at home. 




AVID P. COLBURN whose course as an 
officer in the late Civil War reflected credit 
on the soldiery of this his native State, 
has had an equally honorable career as a 
farn-.erand stock-raiser, and occupies an important 
place among the agriculturists of Loami Township. 
Mr. Colburn is a native of this township, born here 
in a pioneer home October 4, 1837. His father, 
William W. Colburn, a native of Massachusetts, 
coming of sterling New England ancestry, was an 
early settler of this section of the country, and con- 
tributed his quota to~develop its agriculture. Janu- 
ary 10, 1869, he closed his eyes in death, leaving 



the record of a life well spent. The mother of our 
subjectwas born in New Hampshire. She died in 
1882 at a venerable age and now lies beside her 
husband in Sulphur Springs Cemetery. 

David Colburn gleaned his education when a boy 
in a log ciibin in Loami Township. He was reared 
under pioneer influences, and early develoi)ed a 
maulj- self reliant spirit. He began the battle of 
life on his own account by working on a farm, and 
was soon engaged in breaking [irairie, at which he 
continued for the space of two years. He was 
engaged in agricultural pursuits when the outbreak 
of the Rebellion was announced by the firing of the 
first gun at Ft. Sumter. He was then in the open- 
ing 3ears of a manly, vigorous manhood, and he 
cift'crecl his services to defend the Stars and Stri|)e8, 
enlisting in 1801 in Company B, Thirtieth Illinois 
Infantry, which was commanded by Col. Fouke. For 
three years and eleven months he was at the front 
and took an active part in many of the most hotly 
contested battles of the war. He faced the enemy 
at Belmont, fought at P"t. Henry and Ft. Donel- 
son. took part in the c.impaign that resulted in the 
final capture of Vicksburg, and for his gallant con- 
duct was proinoted from the ranks to the position 
of Sergeant of Company 11. In Se|)tember, 18(;4,such 
had been his record for fidelity to dut3', for cour- 
age and coolness in the face of danger, and for gen- 
eral efficiency, that he was advanced to the position 
of First Lieutenant; on September 17, 1864, was 
breveted Captain. At Washington City in 1865 he 
was transferred to the veteran corps, accompanied 
Sherman on his march to the sea, and did good ser- 
vice during that remarkable campaign. 

After his return from the South our suliject 
engaged in milling, which business he still carries 
on very profitably. Besides iiis milling interests 
he has a good farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres in Jefferson County, 111. He resides on sec- 
tion ll.wliere he also carries on farming and stock- 
raising. He has placed his farm among the best in 
its viciuitj' in point of cultivation and improve- 
ment, and has it well supplied with neat buildings 
and the best of farming machiner}-. 

The marriage of our subject, which was solemn- 
ized April 12, 1806, in Loami Townsliip, has con- 
tributed much to his comfort and happiness. Mrs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



/ 1 i 



Collnini, whose raaklen name was Tirzali Mengel, 
is a woQian of many excellent qiialilies of minfl and 
heart, understands well how to care for her house- 
hold, and is untiring in her devotion to her hus- 
band and children. Two of the three ehildren born 
of her wedded life with our subject are now living, 
Leonard L. and Essie. 

Mr. Colburn has always displayed those char- 
acteristics that mark a loyal, public-spirited citizen, 
a good man, a i\ind husband, a wise fatliei', and a 
tniefrieniL He has labored hard to place himself 
in an independent position, and by wise and eco- 
nomical management and square dealing lias gaine<l 
an honorable position among the most substantial 
men of his native townshi|i. In politics he is one 
of the stanch upholders of the Republican [larty. 

r— i^-i a^^> 



J 



<il?OHN L. SCOTT, whose sketch is herewith 
presented to the reader, is a member of tlie 
firm of Scott & Barker, Art Dealers, Spring- 
field. This firm has rooms at No. 229, 
South Sixth Street, where they exhibit a line col- 
lection of pictures, and also keep picture frames 
and a general line of artists' materials. They have 
been located in the same |)lace for the ]>ast four 
years and have a large and exceedingl}' profitable 
business. 

Mr. Scott was born in C'artwright Township, 
Sangamon County, January 21, 18G5, being the 
son of F. M. and Mary L. (Brockman) Scott. His 
grandfather, Dallas Scott, was the second man who 
settled on Richland Creek, coming to that point in 
the fall of 1819 from Kentucky, where he was born, 
educated and married. His father, Francis M. 
Scott, was born April 26, 1836, at the old home- 
stead, the farm which Dallas Scott entered, and 
which is still in possession of our subject's father. 
There Dallas Scott lived up to the time of his death 
about 1841, attending and supporting the Primitive 
Baptist Church. His wife died in 18(;i or 1862, 
and they are buried in the ceraeterj- at Pleasant 
Plains. 

Our subject's father passed his youth in Cart- 
wright Township, and there married. He has 



always been a farmer by occupation and his [path- 
way has been strewn on every side with the 
bright blossoms of success and happiness. His 
beloved wife passed away to her final resting-place 
March 4, 1883, leaving live sons and two daugh- 
ters, viz: George D., in Texas; C. Anna, John L., 
James U., Eugene B., Travis M. and Amy L. He 
is a member of t!ie Masonic fraternity. 

The subject of our sketch received his education 
in his native township and in Springfield, and fin- 
ished at the Normal School, at Danville. Ind., and 
after coni|)leting a long and tliorough course of 
study he taught school for six years. He owns a 
valuable farm in C'artwright Township and for a 
lengthy period made that his home. In March, 
1886, he entered into partncrshii) with his brother- 
in-law, H. E. Barker, and they bought out a firm 
in the line of business in which they are now 
engaged and are doing a very prosperous business, 
having, indeed, one of the finest stores in Spring- 
field aiKl one that is generally popular. 

Mr. Scott married iMiss Emma Barker, daughter 
of A. N. Barker, of Springfield. The ceremony 
tot>k place Jnly 21, 1887, and of this union has 
been born one child — Jessie F. Our subject votes 
with the Democratic party, but is by no means an 
office-seeker or a very active politician. He is 
a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and is 
also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica. The lives of busy and successful men have 
always much of interesi and it is with pleasure that 
we present the outlines of such careers as that of 
Mr. Scott. 




If ARRY BARKER, a member of the firm of 
Scott & Barker, art dealers of .Springfield, 
was born near ('arlinville June 5, 1862, 
being the son of Abiel M. and Hattie C. 
(Otwell) Barker, natives of Illinois. The father 
was editor of the Virden Nors and later of the '\'ir- 
den Republican. He was a soldier in Companj' C. 
Thirty-second Illinois Infantry, of which he was 
Surgeon. He was among the first to enlist and 
among the last to leave the service, being with 



778 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Slierman in his march to tlie sea. His death oc- 
curred in Springfield FelMuary 17, 1888, at which 
time he was a compositor on llie Monitor. 

Mi. Barker's maternal grandfatlier, Stitli M. 
Otwell, was numbered among tlie pioneer preacliers, 
and after locating in Carlinville organized a Meth- 
odist Episcopal aiission, which grew into the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Cliurch. Our subject's motlier is 
living at this writing in Springfield. 

Mr. Barker passed his childhood in Macoupin 
Count}', where he was at one time engaged in a 
furniture store with H. Riffenberg for a period of 
four years, and after coming to Springfield he 
entered the employ of Frank Simmon as a frame- 
maker, a position which he held for six years. He 
next opened an art business in connection with 
Alonzo W. Lloyd, and at the expiration of a year 
John L. Scott bought out the interest of Mr. Lloyd 
and the firm became Scott &_Barker. 

Mr. Barker married Miss Eleanor Foster Novem- 
ber 3, 1887, and their union has been blessed with 
one child — Marie Eleanor.^IIe is an Independent 
Republican in politics. He is a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, and Sunday-school teacher 
and Class-Leader in this church, of which he is 
one of the most prominent members. 

.^^.HOMAS H. BERGEN, a farmer on section 
f(f^\\ 36, Springfield Township, is the fourth child 
^\^^ of ^the Reverend John G. and Margaret 
(Henderson) Bergen, now deceased. He was born 
in Madison, N. J., December 15, 1820, and accom- 
panied his parents hither in childhood. He grew to 
manhood in Springfield, receiving a good education 
and fitting himself for the labors of life. Most 
of his mature years have been s[ient in this 
county, and agriculture has been his chief 
pursuit. 

The father of Mr. Bergen was born in 1790 and 
the mother in 1793, in the State of New Jersej', 
whence they came to this county in 1 828. The Rev. 
Mr. Bergen was sent by the Home Board of the 
American Missionary Association and organized 
the first Presbyterian Church in the capital, holding 



the pastorate until December, 1848, when -he re- 
signed. He died in January, 1872, years after the 
death of his wife Margaret, she having passed awaj' 
in October, 1853. The surviving brothers and 
sisters of our subject are Catherine H., widow of 
Cap. Edward Jones; Amelia M., widow of Joshua 
G. Lamb; and George, whose biographical sketch 
appears in this Album. 

Mr. Bergen was married in New Jersey', March 
29, 1849, to Mary G. Cooley, daughter of the Rev. 
Eli F. and Catherine B. (Henderson) Cooley. This 
worthy lady was born in Ewing, N. J., July 1, 1823, 
and has one sister, Rachel II., now the widow of 
Di'. T. S. Ilening. Mr. and Mrs. Bergen have an 
adopted daughter, Mary Cook, who married Charles 
II. Bergen. 'I'he father of Mrs. Bergen was born 
in Sunderland, Mass., and the mother in Mon- 
mouth County, N. J.: he died April 20, 1860, and 
she August 5, 1854. Our subject and his compan- 
ion are respected members of the First Presbyterian 
Cliurch in Springfield. 



'i^m- 



WILLIAM II. BOYD. It has been but a few 
years since this honored citizen and prom- 
„ „ inent agriculturist of Cotton Hill Town- 
ship was borne to his long home. Few of the old 
residents have been more thoroughly identified 
with the interests of this section than he, or would 
be mourned with greater sincerity when called 
hence. As an agriculturist he had been very suc- 
cessful, and his estate was a large and well regu- 
lated one. His widow has, since his demise, com- 
petently managed affairs showing great capability 
for business. She owns four hundred and two 
acres on section 17, where many improvements 
were made by Mr. Boyd before he closed his earthly 
career. 

Mr. Boyd was born in Cotton Hill Township 
ISIay 1, 1837, grew to manhood here and enjoyed 
the privileges of the common schools. This was 
his home from infancy, except for eight months 
during which time he was a dweller in Ball Town- 
ship. A synopsis of the lives of his parents will 
be found in the sketch of G. B. Boyd, elsewhere in 









l^-n^^. 




'C(--Cyt^i^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



781 



this volume. He took an active interest in the 
affairs of the township and gave the sujjport of his 
name and eontriijiilions to all worthy enterprises. 
He was Highway Commissioner, Assessor and Clerk, 
and served in the school offices with zeal and pru- 
dence. His religious f membership was in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was 
Steward and Class-Leader severaTyears. 

The wife of Mr. Boyd was known in her girl- 
hood as Miss Mary A. Vigal and is a daughter of 
.John T. and Hannah (Coble) Vigal, whose history- 
is included in the notice of William H. Vigal on 
another page of this Aluum. She was liorn on the 
old farm in Cotton Hill Township, April 30, 18.37, 
and from her parents' door went forth a happy bride 
March 31, 1859. She is the mother of one child, 
a daughter, Frances D., who married Joseph H. 
Colean and lives in Pawnee Township. When 
bereft of her beloved husband, December 25, 
1885, Mrs. Bo3'd was comforted by the Christian's 
hope, she, like him, having long been a 'member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a devout 
believer. 

■> •>»S^' < ■ 

(I/. ^ ENRY R. DA"\'IS. A conspicuous position 

in the business circles and social life of 
Pawnee Township is hold by tlie gentleman 
of wiiom this brief biographical notice is 
written and whose portrait appears on the opposite 
page. As General Manager of the Pawnee Rail- 
road he has attained prominence among railroad 
men who recognize the superior ability eminently 
qualif3ing him for his important po.sition. Mv. 
Davis is also engaged in the lumber business in 
connection with his son-in-law, and in various ways 
is identified with the growth of the community, 
where for many years he has made his home. 

The immediate progenitors of Mr. Davis were 
Luther and Anna M. (Rosengrant) Davis, the 
former descending from sterling New England 
ancestry and born in Chittenden County, Vt., and 
the latter a native of Herkimer Countj% N. Y. 
Thej' first located in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., 
and thence removed to Pennsylvania, sojourning 
in Erie County some eight years. Later the}' came 




West to Jersey Count}-. 111., wliere they remained 
until 1854, and in the spring of tliat year took up 
their residence in this county, settling in the south- 
eastern ])art of Pawnee Township. There they 
spent their remaining years and there died, he in 
February, 1881, and she in the spring of 188(5. 

The parental family included five children, all of 
whom attained years of maturity, namely : Abra- 
ham, a resident of Pawnee Township; Frederick B., 
who died in California in 1851 ; Henry R,, our sub- 
ject; Moses A., who is a farmer in Pawnee Town- 
ship; Benjami'i F., who resides in Elk County, Kan. 
He of whom we write was the third child in the 
family and was born in St. Lawrence County, N. 
Y., October 14, 1833. Early in the spring of 1854, 
in the opening jears of a vigorous and stalwart 
manhood, he came to Sangamon County and was 
first employed in hauling lumber from Virden 
and from a sawmill on the south fork of the .San- 
gamon to the old homestead in Pawnee Township, 
That spring was a ver}- wet season and he had a 
very tedious time teaming as his horses were often 
obliged to swim many of the creeks on the way. 
He drew all the lumber and su[)erintended im- 
provements on the farm and continued his resi- 
dence on the old homestead until lie was married. 
He then settled on a farm adjoining his father's 
which he improved and made his home from 1861 
till 1883, when he removed to Pawnee, of which 
he has since been a resident. 

Our subject was one of the prime movers in 
building the Pawnee Hailroad, and in March, 1890, 
WHS chosen its General Manager, for which oflice 
his executive ability and energetic business enter- 
prise amply fit him. In August, 1889, he estab- 
lished himself in the lumber business in Pawnee in 
partnership with his son-in-law, and they have 
already built up a flourishing trade. Mr. Davis is 
one of the wealthy men of the county and is one of 
the most extensive landowners in this vicinity. He 
owns eight hundred acres of well-improved land in 
Pawnee Township and Christian Count}- besides 
his homestead in Pawnee Village, and from the 
rental of his realty derives a good income. A 
man of his mental calibre, activity and progressive 
views is natural!}- looked upon by his fellow-citi- 
zens as a most desirable officeholder and they have 



782 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■callGd liim to positions of importance in the civic 
life of the coinmiinity. He lias represented Pawnee 
Township on the County Board of Supervisors for 
several terms, and has ever had an eye open to the 
bf St interests of this locality. In politics lie is a 
decided Democrat and in religious views is liberal, 
lie is a generous, high-minded man, and his influ- 
ence is felt in all movements looking to the material 
prospcritj'J of Pawnee or to its improvement in 
any wa^'. 

Mr. Davis and Miss Susan Williamson were mar- 
rted November 10, 1859, in Pawnee Township. 
Mrs. Davis was a native of Miami County, Ohio, 
and was a woman of many admirable qu.alities 
wliosR character commanded the respect and esteem 
of all about her. Slie presided with admirable tact 
over the attractive home that.she and her husband 
had established in one of the most commodious 
residences in the township of Pawnee. After a 
wedded life' of twraty-two j'ears, whose greatest 
sorrow was the deatii of four of their children in 
infancy, the wife and mother departed this life at 
tlie home in Pawnee Township, August 18, 1881. 
The'record of their children is as follows: Luther 
K. is a dealcrjn agricultural implements in Chris- 
tian County; OUie is the wife of Man ford White, of 
Pawnee, who is in partnership with iNIr. Davis in 
the'Jumber business; Florence N. and Ida M. arc 
still at lionie:\vith their father. 

— -^ -#5-^ ^^ 



EDWARD P. BARTLETT, M. D. The med- 
ical profession in Springfield finds a worthy 
; representative in the gentleman above 

named. He is the fortunate possessor of a mind 
capable of grasping the most abstruse principles of 
medical science, and received such schooling, both 
in literary and professional matters that he became 
thoroughly versed in preparatory knowledge. Dur- 
ing tiie years which he has devoted to the practice 
•of his ])rofession he has been careful in diagnosis, 
judicious in treatment, and he has, therefore, won 
an excellent reputation among his fellow practi- 
tioners and the citizens in general. 

Dr. Bartlett was born in Rising Sun, Ind., April 



24, 1842, but passed his early life in this State, to 
which his parents came during his infancy. He 
pursued his studies in the Lake Forest Academy 
and University in Lake County, 111., prior to the 
breaking out of, the Civil War. The loyalty and 
gallantry which had descended to him through a 
long line of honorable ancestors, and which had 
been strengthened by his training, led him to 
determine almost as soon as the first gun had been 
fired that he would take up arms in his country's 
defense. He enlisted on September 10, 1861, and 
eight days later was mustered into Company F, 
Eighth Illinois Cavalry. 

Young Bartlett partici[)ated in the Peninsular 
campaign, served in front of Richmond, on the 
lla|ipahannock, and acted on detached service with 
Gen. Couch at Fair Oaks. March 1, 1863, he was 
discharged for disability and returning to his home 
pursued his studies with assiduity during the 
ensuing twelvemonth. By that time his health 
was suthcieutly good to enable him to re-enter the 
service, and he became a member of the Seventeenth 
Illinois Cavalry. He acted .as Hospital Steward 
and Sergeant-Major until November 17, when he 
received the commission of Second Lieutenant in 
Company A. July 11, 1865, he was promoted to 
the rank of First Lieutenant, and on December 5 
became Captain. The command was ordered out 
upon the plains in August, 1865, to engage in 
Indian warfare, ami was not mustered out of the 
service until December 15. 

Wiien ills soldierly duties were discharged Mr. 
Bartlett went to Missouri, whither his father had 
removed, and took up the study of medicine under 
Dr. Dozier, in Osceola. He then entered the St. 
Louis Medical College and was graduated there- 
from in the class of 1870. For a few years he 
pr.acticed in Osceola, then went to Ohio and became 
a partner of Dr. McMillen, in Genoa. Not content 
with the knowledge he already possessed Dr. Bart- 
lett continued his studies and was graduated from 
Belleviie College, in New York City in 1875. He 
then established himself in Marietta, Ohio, where he 
practiced until 1885, when he came to Springfield. 

While living in Genoa, Ohio, Dr. Bartlett was on 
the United States Pension Board, and he fills a 
similar position here. He belongs to the Ohio 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



788 



State Medical Society and the Army and Navy 
Jledical Society of Illinois. As will be expected 
he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and 
is now Surgeon in Stephenson Post, of which he 
was Commander in 1888. In the Masonic fraternitj' 
he has held various positions, and has likewise 
passed the Chairs in the Odd P'eUows lodge. He 
never fails to cast a Republican vote upon election 
d.ay, as he firmly believes that the principles advo- 
cated by that party are calculated to [iromote tlic 
good of the nation. 

At the head of the household economics in the 
dwelling of Dr. Bartlett is a lady of fitn? mind, easy 
manners and womanly virtues, who was formerly 
known as Miss Augusta Clayton. She is a native 
of Virginia, comes of good family and became the 
wife of our subject in Macon, Mo., May 14, 1867. 
The congenial union has been blessed by the birth 
of three children, but two have crossed the river of 
death. The survivor is a daughter, Ida M. 

The parents of our subject were the Rev. Charles 
L. and Emeline D. (Lamphere) Bartlett, natives 
respectively of Coos County, N. II., and Boston, 
Mass. The father was graduated from Dartmouth 
College and at once entered upon the ministry in 
the Presbyterian Church. He was first engaged in 
missionary labor, which led him to this State in 
1842. He preached at Newark, Kendall County; 
DuP.age, Will County; and in Lake County until 
1859.. He died at Osceola, Mo., in 1870, at the 
age of sixty years. To him and his good wife 
four daughters and three sons were born. Those 
now living besides our subject are: Frances A., 
wife of Edwin Wright, whose home is in Eldorado 
Springs, JIo. ; Susan P., wife of G. W. Shield, liv- 
ing in Independence, Mo.: Emma, wife of Dr. W. 
W. Standlej', of Alexis, this State, and she also 
beii>g a practicing physician, a graduate from the 
Women's Medical College in Chicago. 'J'iie 
deceased are: David, who passed away in child- 
hood; Charles died at the age of thirty-two years, 
in Indiana, where he w.as engaged in farming; 
Mary, wife of Dr. Shearer, who died in Greencastle, 
Mo. 

The Bartletts are of an old New England family, 
originally from the mother country where thej- are 
still largelj- represented. Sir Walter B. Bartlelot. 



whose surname is in the original .spelling, is now in 
possession of estates in England. The family are 
justly proud of the ancestral history, which h.as 
been preserved with jealous care through several 
generations and presents to the re.-ider many persons 
of distinction in the various walks of life. John 
Rarltelot, to whom the lino is traced, was born in 
the early psrt of the fourteenth century. He took 
part in the battle of Crecy, in 1348, and Poictiers 
in 1356. A son subscribed handsomely to the 
fund to aid England against the attack of the 
"Spanish Armada," in 1588. The first to come to 
America was John Barttelot, in the ship "Mary and 
John," which landed at Newbury, Mass., in 1634. 
The family record is complete from the before- 
mentioned John Barttelot to the present generation. 

'jfjOHN W. WHITCOMB, who is now a pros- 
perous and prominent farmer of Gardner 
I Township, was a gallant soldier in the late 
l^l/y war and did good service for his country. 
He comes of New England slock and his father, 
Solomon Whiteomb, was a native of that part of 
the country, born in the Slate of Connecticut. He 
was a carpenter by trade and was a contractor and 
builder. When a young man he removed to Owen 
County, Ky., where lie married Minerva Toon, a 
native of that county, her parents having been old 
settlers of Kentucky. Mr. Whiteomb lived there 
eight years and then removed with his family to 
Missouri in the month of March, 1850, and engaced 
in his business as a contractor and builder in Lex- 
ington. He subsequently took up his residence at 
Liberty where he died February 2, 1852. He was 
a member of the Whig party and was interested in 
the political life of his country-. His wife did not 
survive him long but departed this life in 1854. 
She had been left with the care of four chihlren all 
of whom were roared. She was a true and devoted 
member of the Baptist Church. The names of her 
children are as follows: J. W., Oscar F., a farmer; 
Matilda (Jlrs. Zirkle), a resident of Seneca, Mo.; 
and Lucy (Mrs. Ford), of Owen County, Ky. 

Our subject was born near Owenton, Owen 



f84 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



County. Ky., December 6, 1842, and was reared 
tliere until he was eight years old. He tlien accoin- 
[janiert his parents to Missouri, the journey being 
made by the way of the Oliio, Mississippi and jNIis- 
souri Rivers on the boats "Warrior" '-Wetzel" and 
"Cansass." After living- in Lexington one year, 
tlie family removed to Liberty, where the father 
died. Indians were in the country then and the 
State was in a wild sparsely settled condition. The 
subject atten<leii schools that were taught under the 
subscription plan. 

In 18.54 Mr. Whitcomb, then a lad of twelve 
years returned to Kentucky, and remained with his 
iHicle William Toon, a farmer, three years. About 
1857 he went to New Libert3', that .State to learn a 
trade with a cousin, H. 15. Toon. He was with him 
until 18.ji), and then accompanied him to Liberty, 
Mo., where he remained until 1863. His master 
became dissipated, and leaving our subject went 
back to Kentncks'. Mr. Whitcomb left that place 
and went to work with others. In August, 1862, 
he patrioticalh' offered his servi< es to his country, 
enlisting in the Missouri State Militia, in which he 
served with great credit for nine months, engaging 
in scouting, and looking after bushwackers and 
guerrillas. During that period he was stationed at 
Liberty. One day a rebel squad appeared in the 
streets of that town about noon. Few of the men 
of our subject's com()any were there at the time 
and they were overpowered in a hand to hand en- 
counter. They knocked Mr. Whitcomb on the 
head with a gun, took him prisoner and held hira 
a short time. 

In the month of Maj-, 1863, our brave soldier 
subject was mustered out of the State service of 
Missouri and he tlien came to this county. He 
drove a herd of cattle to Quinc^', and thence took 
them by i-ail to Cavtwriglit Township, where he 
hired out by the month for nine months. He sub- 
sequently enlisted again, this time in the service of 
the United States, becoming a member of the Sixty - 
fourth Illinois Infantry, Company C, in February, 
1864. He was mustered in at Springfield as a ])ri- 
vate and sent South to the army of the Tennessee. 
He fought with Sherman's arm3- as a member of 
Blair's Seventeenth Corps. He bore an honorable 
part in the Atlanta Campaign, fighting at Snake 



Creek Gap, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
and at Atlanta. In every engagement he displayed 
the qualities that mark a brave, faithful and trust- 
worthy soldier. He was never off duty and fought 
jevery day in the various battles and skirmishes on 
that celebrated march. He was present at Jones- 
boro, went with Sherman to Galesville, and then 
returned to Atlanta to prepare for the march to the 
sea. In the middle of November he started for 
Savannah, and thence northward to Columbus and 
met the enemy at River's Bridge, Bentonville, 
which was the last encounter with the rebels, as 
the3' soon heard of Lee's surrender and then of 
Johnston's. Mr. Whitcomb was promoted from the 
ranks to the position of Corporal, and took part in 
the Grand Review at Washington with Sherman's 
Army. He was afterward mustered out at Louis- 
ville, K3'., and was honorably discharged in Chi- 
cago, in tlie month of August, 1865. 

After his exciting experience in military life, 
Mr. Whitcomb established himself in Pleasant 
Plains as a contractor and builder, and he con- 
tinued thus engaged until 1872. In that year lie 
located on his present place in Gardner Township, 
one hundred acres of which belongs to his wife. He 
entered actively uiion the work of general farming 
and stock-raising, and in time purchased sixty acres 
of land, and now has an estate of one hundred and 
sixt3' acres under his management, which is well 
tilled and highly productive farming land, neatly 
fenced, and provided with the necessary buildings 
of a substantial order. He engaged in raising 
grain, horses, cattle and hogs, having three teams 
in use on his [ilace. His farm is finely located two 
miles from Farmingdale, and ten miles from the 
Capital. 

Mr. Whitcomb was married August 5, 1869, to 
Miss Mar3' T. Irwin, a native of Menard Count3', 
III. Mrs. Whitcomb was reared in this county how- 
ever, and is a daughter of B. F. Irwin, a farmer of 
this part of the .Slate. The pleasant home circle of 
our subject and his amiable wife is completed by 
their seven children, all of whom are still under the 
roof-tree, as follows: Lizzie E., Charles F., John 
W. Jr., Edward O., Mary E., Lucretia M., and 
Irwin C. 

Mr. Whitcomb has always shown himself to be a 





^^-z^<y^^ ^-2,^c^ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



78r 



loyal public-spirited citizen, and lie is held in liigh 
regard by the people of this community. He has 
used his influence to promote tlie cause of educa- 
tion in Gardner Townsliip as School Director, whicli 
office he has held the most of the time since he look 
up his residence here and he is now Clerk of the 
Board. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
at Pleasant Plains, and has been through tlie chairs 
and he also belongs to the Royal Arch Masons at 
Petersburg. He is identifled with the Farmers 
Mutual Benefit Association as a member of Hope 
Lodge at Spring Creek, and the Grand Army of 
the Republic as a member of Stevenson Post, No. 
30, at Springfield. In him religion finds one of its 
earnest supporters as he is an active member of the 
Christian Church at Pleasant Plains. He is promi- 
nent among the Republicans, and has been a dele- 
gate to county conventions .and is likewise a strong 
temperance man. He served on the petit jury one 



term. 



-s- 



>^^^^^:s?&^it>^^^- 



,AVID C. TALBOTT, one of the leading 
farmers of Woodside Township, is a native 
of this countj- and is well and favorably 
knonn throughout this section. He is a son of tiie 
late Dr. Fletcher Talbott who was for many years 
a prominent plu'sician of this part of the State. He 
was a native of .Shelby County, Ky., and married 
Ruth Gratton, also of Kentucky birth. They be- 
came pioneers of Cass County, 111., where they 
lived two or tiiree years. About 1840 the^- came 
to Sangamon County and settled in Gardner Town- 
ship, where they lived several 3'ears. The^^ subse- 
quently removed to Springfield, where they passed 
their remaining daj's. The Doctor practiced medi- 
cine very successfully in connection with farming 
until he was seventy jears old, winning a liigli 
reputation as a skillful physician. He was a prom- 
inent figure in public life, taking quite an active 
(lart in the management of the affairs of the county. 
He held the office of Supervisor for several 3'ears 
and proved to be a valuable civic official. Both 
he and his wife were stanch members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church for a long term of years 
and were greatly beloved for their many kind acts 
and charitable deeds. 



Our subject was one of seven children, six sons 
and one daughter, and was the second in order of 
birth. He was born in Gardner Township, August 
1, 1843, was reared in this county and educated in 
its schools. He remained with his father until he 
was married October 28, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth 
Perkins, a daughter of Henry an<l Anna M. (Brown) 
Perkins, natives respectively of Maryland and 
Washington, D. C. They died in Maryland. Mrs. 
Talbott is the eldest of four children, two sons and 
two daughters, and was born on the Eastern Shore 
of Maryland, August 7, 1843. 

Mr. and Mrs. Talbott passed the first ten years 
of their married life in Curran Townshij), and at 
the expiration of that time came to Woodside 
Township, and settled on section 15. Mr. Talbott 
has alwaj's devoted himself to farming and stock- 
raising and is considered one of the most intelligent 
men of his class in this community. He has his 
farm in excellent order, its well-tilled fields yield- 
ing him abundant harvests, and everything about 
the place shows thrift and good management on 
the part of the owner. His farm is well-stocked 
and he has engaged quite extensively in raising 
cattle and swine for the markets. 

J\[r. and Mrs. Talbott have made for themselves 
a iiome where comfort reigns and hospitality abides. 
Tluy are people of genuine worth, whose charac- 
ters command respect and their many pleasant per- 
sonal qualities attract to them the regard of their 
neighbors and numerous friends. Four children 
have come to them in their happy wedded life, 
named as follows: Walter A., Robert C, Henry F;, 
and Anna R. Mr. Talbott gives his political alle- 
giance to the Democratic party, while religiously 
both he and his good wife are members in high 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

A portrait of Mr. Talbott accompanies this 
sketch. 

«^ OEL R. GORDON, A. B., M. D.. a promi- 
nent oculist and aurist of Springfield, al- 
though he is comparatively a young man, 
has already attained a high lank among the phy- 
sicians of this Stale, who are specialists in the 




788 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



treatment of eye and ear diseases. Tie is .1 native 
of Illinois, born in tlie town of Percy, Randolph 
County, May L5, 1851, and he is a son of the Rev. 
II. S. and Nancy (Mill) Gordon. His father who 
is now living in retirement, was in tlie ministry 
for thirty-five or forty years, and as a pioneer 
preacher of the Bai)tist denomination is intimately 
connected with the history of the cluirch in this 
part of Illinois. He was married in Percy and 
there reared a family. 

Onr subject passed the early years of his life in 
his native town, and was given fine educational 
advanta£?es. He was graduated from McKendree 
Colle<ye, at Lebanon, III., in the class of 1871 with 
hiffh honors and the degree of Bachelor of Arts. 
He then gave his attention to the study of medi- 
cine tor which he iiad a decided taste, and com- 
menced to read medical works under the guidance 
of Dr. McConaughy at Belleville. He afterward 
attended lectures at the (St. Louis Medical College, 
from which he was graduated in 1875, well- 
equipped for his profession. He located at Camp- 
bell Hill after leaving college and remained there 
five years, engaged in general practice. He subse- 
quently went to Sparta, 111., where he carried on 
both general and special practice and in 1885, 
came to this city to give his attention exclusively 
to eye and ear diseases. He had made a careful 
study of the treatment of tliose organs, and in 
1888 he further pre])ared himself for his work by 
takino' a special post-gr.aduate course in New York 
City in those branches. During the five3'ears that 
he has been in Springfield he lias met with won- 
derful success as an oculist and aurist, has a fine 
and lucrative practice, and has made a name and 
a place for liimself in these departments in the 
medical world. He has handsomely fitted up 
offices at No. 228 South Fifth Street, corner of 
Monroe. 

Dr. Gordon was united in marriage with Miss 
Emma Iloskinson, of St. Joseph, Mo., October 18, 
1875, and to them have been born two children — 
Adele and Effle. The Doctor and his wife have a 
charming home and are people of high standing 
in the social circles of this city. They are mem- 
bers of the Second Presbyterian Church of Spring- 
field and are active in its good work. Our subject 



is a member of the Southern Illinois Medical Asso- 
ciation, also of the Central Illinois Medical 
Association, and the Rhinological Association. He 
is a gentleman of ability and of true culture 
and is very higlily thought of, not only by 
his medical associates but Iiy the many friends 
whom he has gathered around liim since his resi- 
dence here. He belongs to tlie Indefiendent Order 
of Odd Fellows and is prominently identified with 
the Elks, a fine organization and one of the most 
exclusive societies in the State. 



-^■•-^-^- 



F. LYON. This gentleman is the fortunate 
V^ owner of one of the finest estates in lUiopo- 
Ij^-^ lis Township, and is well known as a dairy- 
man, wlio is doing an extensive business. His farm 
consists of two hundred and fifty acres of choice 
land and the buildings upon it are far above the 
average in their substantial construction and the 
convenience of tlieir arrangements. The watering 
facilities with which the place is supplied are espec- 
ially fine, and the most complete fixtures obtainable 
have been procured for the dairy work. Mr. Lyon 
keeps the best grade of cows, and markets products 
of such uniform excellence that the demand far 
exceeds the supplj'. 

Our subject is a native of this county, born 
Novemlier 19, 1848, his parents being H. D. and 
Mary (Hickman) Lyon. His early home was in 
Springfield Township, and although reared on a 
farm, he enjoyed fair educational advantages and 
became well informed in the practical branches of 
booklore and also acquired an excellent knowledge 
of agriculture. He comes of a Revolutionary 
family; his greatgrandfather Zachariah Lyon, who 
was born April 10, 1748, was a soldier during the 
Revolutionary War, and at the close of the war 
settled in Virginia, and in the year 1804 emigrated 
to Kentucky where the grandfather of our subject, 
Henson Lj^on, who was born in 1790, grew to man- 
hood and in 1834 came to Sangamon County. See 
sketcii of H. D. Lyon. 

Some ten years since ]\Ir. Ly(>n took possession 
of his present estate and after operating it for a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



f89 



time, removed elsewhere, leasing the farm for three 
years. On his return he began the openition of the 
estate in accordance with new methods and devoted 
considerable attention to stock-raising. He finally 
undertook the dairy business, seeing an opeiiingfor 
a remunerative trade, and by dint of energy and 
the exercise of progressive ideas he Las made this 
a success. 

In 1878 Mr. Lyon was married to Henrietta Mes- 
ter, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., February 20. 
1856. Her parents were born in the town of Bunde, 
Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1849. 
Mr. Lyon believes in the education of the masses 
and thinks it the duty of the State to see that every 
child has an education in the common branches. 
Politically he is an Independent and believes the 
greatest danger to the future of the Republic is 
that men will be led by partisan prejudice and relig- 
ious superstition and not be guided by reason. 



DWARD C. BAIN, M. D. This veteran 
medical practitioner in Pleasant Plains is 

, ; the representative of Southern families of 

intellectual wcith and financial standing. His 
father, the Rev. John R. Bain, was a native of South 
Carolina and was of Scotch and Irish parentage. 
He entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church 
and was pastor over a congregation in Nashville, 
Tenn., fifty years. He owned a farm of two hun- 
dred and eighty acres adjoining N.ishville on the 
south, which was the scene of carnage and destruc- 
tion during the Civil War, when Gen. Hood was 
playing so important a part in the affairs of that 
section. The buildings wei'e destroyed by fire and 
the entire property devastated. The Rev. Mr. Bain 
lived to be eighty-seven years old, and his wife 
died when ten years younger. 

The mother of Dr. Bain bore the name of Sarah 
Crockett, was born in Wythe County, Va.,and was 
a daughter of Samuel Crockett, a rich planter there 
and a connection of the Hon. Davy Crockett. She 
reared seven children to manhood and womanhood, 
viz: Dr. Samuel C. D. who lives in Ha3wood 



County, Tenn.; John S. C, a farmer in Livingston 
County, that State; Mary, Mrs. Williamson, living 
in Nasliville; Sarah J. who is unmarried and lives 
near Clarksville, Tenn.; Edward Chapman, subject 
of this notice; Mrs. Martha Macon, living in 
Clarksville, Tenn.; aud William, who married and 
died before the war. 

Dr. Bain was born in Nashville, June 20, 1842, 
and given private instruction at his home until four- 
teen years old, when he entered Tusculum, formerly 
Washington College, from which his father had 
been graduated. He left the institution in 1857, 
receiving a diploma in the classical course at the 
early age of seventeen years. He then began to 
read medicine with Prof. J. Berrien in Lindsley, 
and entered the National Medical College at Nash- 
ville where he took the entire course under his for- 
mer preceptor, who is now Professor of Chemistry 
in that institution. When the war broke out 3'oung 
liain, like Gen. Lee, decided to be true to his native 
State, and he therefore joined the Confederate 
forces, enlisting in the Twenty-fourth Tennessee 
Infantry. 

Dr. Bain was given staff duty under Albert Sid- 
ney Johnston and Gen. Forrest, first going with 
Gen. ZoUikoffer to Eastern Tennessee, and then 
taking part in the engagements at Donelson and 
Shiloh. He was with the army of Joe Johnston un- 
til transferred to the cavalr3' service in 1863, prior 
to which time he had risen to the ranks, first of 
Captain and then of Colonel. With Forrest he 
went to Western Tennessee in the fall of 1863 and 
he followed the fortunes of that General, being 
with him when he fought against Grayson, accom- 
panying him to Paducah, and back to Guntown in 
June, 1864. He was at Harrisburg and Nashville 
with Hood and then helped to protect the rear of 
that General's column. Everywhere and always he 
displaj'ed the soldierly qualities which made him a 
foeman w^orthy of the steel of an opponent, and 
although he was conspicuous in scenes of danger, 
he escaped serious injury. 

Where bullets failed Cupid's darts succeeded, and 
Dr. Bain succumbed to the charms of Miss Sarah 
Hardin, to whom he was wedded in September. 
18G4. The wedded life was of but a few years 
duration, the wife being called from time to etern- 



790 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ity in 1869. She left two children — "\V. H., now a 
practicing pliysician at Farmingdale, and Irene, 
wlio is witli liL'r fatlier. A second matrimonial al- 
liance was entered into hy Dr. ]5ain in 1874, his 
l)ride being Miss Matilda Johnston, a Virginia 
lady of birth and breeding. This union has 
been blest by the birth of one son, Paul E. 

After the war Dr. Bain completed his medical 
course and was graduated in 18Go. He selected 
Gallatin, Tex,, as the seat of his labors and jjrac- 
ticed there until ISO?, when he removed to Arkan- 
sas. There he met with the loss of his first wife. 
In 1872 he came to Springfield and the same year 
located at Pleasant Plains, where he has since con- 
tinued to make his home. It is generally under- 
stood that he has a [irofound knowledge of medi- 
cal science and the services he has rendered to the 
people of this locality are duly appreciated by them. 
Politically he is an uncompromising Democrat. 
Personall}', he is open-hearted, generous and ciiar- 
itable, and in all business transactions, strictly hon- 
est. 

"if/ AMES L. WRIGHT, a merchant of Buffalo 
Heart, occupies an honorable position among 
the business men of this county. He is of 
Scottish birth and antecedents, born in Dum- 
fries, Scotland, in 1840, a son of Thomas anrl Anna 
(Wilson) Wright, who were also natives of that 
land. The father was the first of the family to 
come to America and he took up his residence in 
New York where he was afterward joined by his 
wife. 

The mother of our subject came to Springfield 
in 1845 with her two children and her parents, and 
settled near Kiverton. Her son John is now a farmer 
in Williams Township. Her son James of whom 
this sketch is written, enjoyed but meagre school 
advantages and set out to fight life's battle alone 
at an early age. He was first employed as a farm 
hand. He acquired a good knowledge of farming, 
and was finally' enabled to purchase eighty' acres of 
land. He retained that but a short time, however, 
when he disposed of it and bought another eighty 
acres of land. He subsequently purchased one 



hundred and twenty acres in Illiopolis Township, 
in 1871 and resided thereon three years. At the 
expiration of that time he sold that property at a 
good advantage and bought two hundred acres of 
land in Buffalo Heart Township. In 1880, bis health 
having become impaired he went to Eureka Springs, 
Ark., and w.ts a resident there three years. 

Coming back to Buffalo Heart, our subject sold 
his farm and invested the proceeds in a stock of 
general merchandise and established himself here 
in the mercantile business, where he is doing well; he 
has two commodious rooms well-fitted up in which 
ho carries some S4000 worth of well selected stock. 
He has built up a good trade and has the patronage 
of the best people in the place. 

Our subject was exceedingly fortunate in his 
marriage, which occurred October 25, 1871, when 
he was united to Miss Iva Burns, a daughter of 
John Burns, coming of one of the oldest and best 
families of the count}-. This pleasant union has 
been blessed to our subject and his wife by two 
children, Arthur Francis and Lucy Ann, both of 
whom are attending school. The whole family are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and are 
among its most active workers. 

Mr. Wright is a thoroughly good man of unim- 
peachable character and of good personal habits. 
He is very temperate, never took a drink in a saloon 
and is an ardent opponent of the whiskey traffic. 
He has always been in favor of the best schools, 
and as Director has worked to further the cause of 
education in Buffalo Heart. Every feasible scheme 
i for the advancement of the community, finds in 
him an earnest friend and a liberal supporter. 



-^ 



OSES A. DAVIS, a prosperous farmer liv- 
ing on section 21, Pawnee Township, has 
been a resident of this county man}' years. 
He was born in Erie County, Pa., April 
10, 1835, and came hither with his parents, with 
whom he remained until his marriage. That happy 
event occurred February 19, 1861, and the newly 
wedded couiilc made their home on the Davis 
homestead a year and a half, after which thej' took 





" '-^^^igg^^ 




cy-n^C^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



793 



possession of the farm on which they now live. 
This consists of one hundred and sixt\' acres of 
improved land, supplied with good buildings and 
forming a home of comfort. 

Mr. Davis is the sixth of nine sons and daugh- 
ters, and h.as three brothers yet living — Abram K., 
Henry R., and Benjamin F., the last named now 
residing in Elk County, Kan. His estimable wife, 
formerly Miss Emma H. Low, is the third child of 
Lawrence and Hannah (Whitehead) Low, who were 
natives of New Jersey and England, respectively. 
They were married in the State named and removed 
thence to Jersey County, 111., which became their 
final abode. There Mrs. Davis was born March 8, 
1840. Iler surviving l)rothers and sisters are John 
H.. Mrs. Martha Whitehead, Edward, and Mrs. 
Henrietta Weber. 

'i'lie family of Mr. and Mrs. Davis consists of 
five children named respectively ,Frederick, Charles, 
Addie E., Frances N. and Mary E. The eldest 
married Anna England, and Charles won for his 
wife Henrietta King. Mr. Davis was Township 
Collector in 1872 and 1873, and has been School 
Director many years. He belongs to the Patrons 
of Husbandry and the Farmers Mutual Benefit 
Association, and is Vice-President of the Anti- 
Horse-Thief Association. 



<;f?OHN R. JONES. This veteran Illinois 
stockman was born in Louisa County, Va., 
December 18, 1827, and reared in Pike 
County, Ohio, whither his parents removed 
when he was about four years old. He obtained a 
common-school education, first attending in tlie 
rural districts and then spending about eight 
months in the graded school at Piketon, Ohio. Very 
early in life he displayed a partiality for live stock 
which was developed amid the surroundings of his 
home life, his father being a farmer, and when he 
was but nineteen years old he bought and sold cat- 
tle on a small scale. 

In 1848 Mr. Jones came to this State and during 
the ensuing six years made his home in Logan 
County, lie then removed to this county, locat- 



ing in Williams Township where he purchased a 
consi<lerable amount of land. He now owns ten 
hundred and sixty acres and has recently presented 
his son with throe hundred and twenty acres of 
choice laud. Mr. Jones has dealt extensively in 
cattle since he first came to the State. Before 
railroads had been built here he drove herds to 
New York City to market them, consuming one 
hundred da3S in his trip thither and driving from 
one hundred to one hundred and twenty head. 
He has also driven cattle to Philadelphia and has 
frequently taken herds to Ohio. 

During the past ten years Mr. Jones has made a 
specialty of Short-horns and has carried off a great 
many premiums from the fairs. He has some fine 
Clydesdale and Percheron horses on his model 
farm, and is almost as well informed regarding 
the merits of horseflesh as of the bovine species. 
His name will be at once recognized by many of 
our readers who have had dealings with him or 
have heard of him in connection with the cattle 
business. The home of Mr. Jones is sui)plied with 
modern conveniences and is a model of arrange- 
ment and furnishing. Its hospitable roof shelters 
man}- a passing guest and is frequently sought by 
the many friends of himself and wife. 

The lady to whose taste and efficiency the cozi- 
ness and comfort of the home life are due, became 
the wife of our subject January 24, 18.56, prior to 
which time she was known as Miss Mary A. 
Talbott. She was born in Ohio, of which State 
her parents, Thornton and Louisa ( Welch) Talbott, 
are also natives. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had 
six children, named respective!}-, Jennie, John F., 
Samuel T., Benjamin, Nellie M. and Milton E. 
Jennie, John and P>enjaniin are deceased. 

Mr. Jones conies from Old Virginia stock, his 
paternal ancestors having .settled in the Old 
Dominion two or three hundred years ago, and his 
mother being also a descendant of a long line of 
Virginians. His grandfather was Henson Jones, 
who was born in the Old Dominion, and there also 
Samuel .lones, the father of our subject, opened 
his eyes to the light. The latter went to Pike 
County, Ohio, at an early day and continued to 
reside there until his death, which occurred in 
1845, when he was lifty-four years of age. S.am- 



794 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



uel Jones man-ied Lucy Desper. She breathed 
her last in 1841. She had home her husband 
twelve children, four of whom are now living. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. .lones were members of the 
Methodist Church. 

Our subject was brought up under Whig influ- 
ences and was identified with that party until the 
Republican was organized, when he was one of the 
first to join the ranks of the new political bo<ij'. 
He has been a delegate to conventions but has per- 
sistently refused to accept office, although he has 
often been urged to do so. He enjoyed the per- 
sonal acquaintance of President Lincoln, whom he 
often consulted when in need of legal advice. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jones have been identified with the Jleth- 
odist Episcopal Church for almost a quarter of a 
centur}' and arc among the number who wear their 
religion as an everyday g.arment and so exert an 
influence for good over those with whom the3" come 
in contact. As a man of much business ability, 
Mr. Jones has become influential in financial circles 
throughout the State. He is a Director in the 
WilliamsviUe Bank and has been a stockholder and 
Director in the State National Bank at Springfield 
since it was organized many years ago. 

Elsewhere in this volume tlie reader will notice 
a lithographi'- portrait of Mr. Jones. 






rs^ 




?LEXANDER BROWN is the son of a 
pioneer family of this county and is one 
of its native-born citizens who are actively 
,^^ identified with its immense agricultural 

interests. He owns a well-equipped farm in Fanc}' 
Creek Township and is one of the most enterpris- 
ing and successful stock dealers in this section. 

Mr. Brown was born in Fancy Creek Township, 
September 8, 1858, and is a son of Robert T. 
Brown, wiio was likewise a native of this county, 
born here August 31, 1831, in early pioneer times. 
He became in time one of the prosperous farmers 
of Fancy Creek Township, which lost in his death 
February 6, 1866, a valued citizen. The mother 
of our subject bore the maiden name of Edna M. 
Dunlap, and she was also born in this county, her 



birth taking place July 15, 1832, in the pioneer 
home of her parents, who had located in this part 
of the State at an early period of its settlement. 
She is now living in Chicago. She is a woman of 
pure, upright character, and has for many years 
been a zealous member of the Christian Church. 
She is the mother of eight children of whom seven 
are living. 

Thomas Brown, the paternal grandfather of our 
subject, was among the earliest settlers of this 
county, and became quite prosperous and well-to- 
do, and was prominent among his fellow-pioneers. 
lie was born in South Carolina, February 4, 1792. 
AVhen a young man he migrated from the home of 
his birth to Allen County', Ky., and from there 
came to the wilds of Sangamon County in 1827. 
lie entered a large tract of land, and in the years 
that followed developed a valuable farm. He died 
Jul^' 23, 1868, at the ripe age of seventy 3'ears. 
Ills name occupies an honorable place among 
those of the men vvho laid the foundation of this 
count}". 

The gentleman who forms the subject of this 
biographical review, received an excellent common- 
school education, as he made the best of his oppor- 
tunities during tlie short period of his school life, 
which comprised two or three months during the 
winter of each year until he was thirteen years old, 
but after tliat he never attended school. He early 
displayed quite an aptitude for business, and at the 
youthful age of seventeen years began liis coieer 
as a dealer in stock, in which line lie has been 
eminently successful. From time to time he has 
extended his business as his means would allow, 
and now buys and ships hogs and cattle very 
extensively. He owns two hundred and sixty 
acres of choice land in Fancy Creek Township, and 
has it under excellent cultivation and supplied 
with all the necessary improvements. 

Mr. Brown was happily married March. 5, 1881, 
to Miss Mary E. Power. Mrs. Brown is, like her 
husband, a native of this county, and is a daughter 
of the late Judge William D. Power who died in 
1863 during his second term as Judge of this 
county. He was a son of George Power, who was 
one of the earliest pioneers of this county, locat- 
ing here in 1819, and in time becoming one of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



795 



the wealthiest men of this region. He died in 
188G at a venerable age, leaving an estate of over 
three thousand acres of land. The Judge was one 
of the leading members of tlie bar in this county 
and was widely known and honored as a man and 
a citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are leading a 
pleasant wedded life, which has been blessed to 
them by the birth of one child, Luther A., who 
was born November 27, 1881. 

Mr. Brown is a well-known figure in the political 
life of his native county as a leader among the 
young Republicans of his township, and he has 
often taken part in the councils of his party as a 
delegate to various conventions. Socially he is a 
member of the Modern Woodmen of America. 
He is popular among his associates, as he possesses 
a frank warm-hearted disposition; and his public 
spirit is sliown by his advocacy of all plans that 
will in any way enhance the well being of liis 
township and county. 



•'■s=>sp 



<¥) OHN H. DARNEILLE was born in Chatham 
Township January 10, 1859, being the son 
of James M. and Clarissa (Kingey) Darn- 
eille. He passed his childhood and youth on 
his father's farm, receiving onl3- a common-school 
education and remained at home until he had 
reached iiis nineteenth year, at which time he en- 
tered the employ of Smith & Siins, merchants, and 
was at a later date employed by Caldwell ife Co., 
and then worked for various firms until he was 
twenty-four years of age. He then engaged in bus- 
iness for himself and is at the present writing con- 
ducting a large aiid exceedingly prosperous general 
merchandise business in Chatham. 

Our subject's paternal grandfather was John 
Darneille one of the pioneers of Chatham Township 
where he located at an early date. He was born in 
Bourbon County, Ky., June 5, 1791. He served 
fourteen months in the War of 1812, and was First 
Lieutenant and afterward Captain of his company. 
He married Miss Margaret Norton on February 20, 
1814. She was born October 25, 1793, and with 
her family came to Sangamon County in Novem- 



ber, 1819, locating in what is now Chatham Town- 
ship. Mr. Darneille's grandfa:ther was a remarkable 
man and though his education was obtained under 
the worst possilile circumstances, he gained such an 
amount of general information that he was able at 
all times to take a prominent part in all important 
matters connected with the good of his country, 
his State, or his county. He served as the first 
grand juror of Sangamon County as early as 1821. 
They held the deliberations out on the prairies 
where the city of Springfield now stands. He was 
also elected to the first legislature that met at 
Springfield, and when death claimed him on March 
10, 1851, his loss was mourned by the entire com- 
munity. His wife died April 30, 1875. They were 
tlie parents of twelve children. 

Our subject was married July 14, 1886, to Miss 
Lillie F. Boullon, daughter of J. A. Boulton, of 
Columbus, Mo. She was born October 13, 18G1, 
and to their marriage h.as been born one daughter, 
Jessie Clarrison. Mrs. Darneille is a consistent 
member of the Christi.TU Church. 

The subject of our sketch was in every way 
worthy of his gifted ancestors and has made for 
himself a most enviable reputation for strict integ- 
rity of purpose and excellent business judgment. 
Indeed, he is one of the representative men of his 
township and county, and one whom we are pleased 
to write u}i in our Album, feeling that men of bis 
stamp and character arc of- great interest to the 
world, and that the events connected with their 
lives cannot fail to interest the general reader. 



^•"v:5tJ*?nE 



5jODLOVE CHARLP:S SEIFERT, M. D., is 
successfully practicing his profession in the 
village of Cantrall and is considered one of 
the best physicians in this part of the county. He 
is a native of Saxony, Germany, and was born 
August 22, 184G, to John C. and Christina Seifert, 
who were both of (ierman origin. They emigrated 
to America in 1849 and located in Sheboygan, 
Wis., when it was in a wihl condition and Indians 
still living there. The father was a pioneer farmer 
of that section of the country, and is still resid- 



796 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ing there in the enjovraent of llie competence pro- 
cured by Iiis earlj' labors. He is a man of sterling 
character anil is a worthy member of the Lutheran 
Churcli. His wife, who was also a consistent 
Lutheran and a truly religious woman, died in 1868. 
Thej' were the parents of five children, of whom 
four are now living. 

Dr. .Seifert was scarcely three years old when liis 
parents brought him to this country, and therefore 
he has known no other home, and reared and edu- 
cated under our institutions he is as loyal a citizen 
of the llnited .States as if he were native and to the 
manor born. He w:is reared in the pioneer home 
of his parents in Wisconsin, and his early school 
da3's were passed in tiie primitive schools of that 
State, that were conducted in log schoolhouses, 
which he attended three or four months of each 
year. After ho was ten years old he went to the 
Grammar School in .Siieboygan for a jear, and then 
to the Union schools, and was a student there for 
aliout five years. He was thus well fitted for the 
calling of a teacher and taught three terms in his 
old neighborhood. After that he spent one year 
in the copper mines of Northern Michigan. 

In 1865 our subject entered Addison .Seminary, 
in DuPage County, III., ."s he was ambitious to 
advance his education. He was a close student 
there two years, and in 1867 was engaged to con- 
duct a German-Lutheran school at Springfield. He 
was quite young for such a responsible position as 
the school had an enrollment of one hundred and 
fifteen pupils. "While he was teaching here he 
began reading medicine with Dr. W. H. Davis, one 
of the leading physicians of this city. He after- 
ward entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cin- 
cinnati, from which he was graduated in May, 
1871, with high rank for scholarship. 

After leaving college the Doctor was with his 
old instructor. Dr. Davis, in Springfield, a few 
months, and he then opeced an office at Athens, 
in Menard County, where he was actively engaged 
in his profession for nearly three years. At the 
expiration of that time he again returned to Spring- 
field, and a year later removed from that city to 
Cantrali, where he has since remained with the 
exception of about a year spent in the drug busi- 
ness at Jacksonville. He has gained a good repu- 



tation as a skillful, conscientious practitioner and 
has secured a lucrative practice. 

Dr. Seifert was wedded to Miss Jennie Beke- 
meyer, of Springfield, May 1, 1873. To them have 
come six children, namely; Carrie (deceased), Mil- 
lie, Charles H. (deceased), Otto II., Carl AV. and 
Harry B. Both the Doctor and his wife are among 
the leading members of the Christian Church and 
are earnestly interested in its every good work. 
He is a Democrat in politics and is public-spirited 
as a citizen. 



*«^^i==»pfc"" 



^7^,11 ARON C. COLEAN. A fine tract of land 
- ^ 11 consisting of two hundred and six acres 
on section 29, Cotton Hill Townshi|), is 
the source from which this gentleman 
derives a good support and makes a provision for 
the future. It is well stocked, well improved and 
well managed and in all respects a well-regulated 
estate. The owner is the oldest of the surviving 
children of the parental family, of which further 
mention is made in the biography of M. W. Colean 
on another page. He was born in Jersey County, 
this State, March 4, 1878, and was about eight 
years old when his parents came to this county-. 

A farm in Cotton Hill Township was the home 
of Mr. Colean until October 15, 1864, when he en- 
listed in the Thirteenth United States Regular 
Infantry. He served until November 12, 1867, 
when, the term having expired, he was discharged 
and returned to his home. During his army life 
he had spent a year and one-half in the .South and 
the rest of his time in the Western Territories. 
Upon leaving the army he gave his attention to 
farming and has continued to devote his energies 
thereto. 

The marriage of Mr. Colean and Miss Mary Jane 
Spicer was solemnized in Cotton Hill Township 
October 3, 18G9. The bride was a daughter of 
Thompson C. and Melvina (Vigal) S|>icer, the 
former now living in the township and the latter 
deceased, the date of her demise having been 
December 9, 1873. Mrs. Colean was born in Ball 
Township, November 2, 1850, and is a capable. 




^^ (I^^S^t-^ 



^^'Lny'J,^'!^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



799 



Christian woman. The union has been blessed by 
t.lie birtli of five children, two of whom died in 
infancy; the living are P]tta A., Cliarks A. and 
INIary M. 

In politics Mr. Colean is identilicd with the 
Prohibition party. He has served as School Direc- 
tor in an able manner. The entire family belong 
to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the 
husband and father has been Trustee. He is 
held in due esteem by his ac(iuaintances as 
an honest. God-fearing man and an industrious 
farmer. 




INDSEY C. FARNAM. Among the busi- 
ness enterprises that contrilnite to the wel- 

fare of the village of Pawnee, the brick and 

tile works of which iSIr. Farnnm is [)roprietor, are 
certainly deserving of mention. This manufactur- 
ing establishment turns out threc^umdred thousand 
tile and two hundred thousand brick per annum, 
and furnishes emplo3'ment for a number of work- 
men, as well as increasing the circulation of our 
medium of trade in other ways. 'Ihe establishment 
is one whose work is considered reliable and whoso 
proprietor enjoys the confidence and esteem of the 
peo[)le among whom he has made his home. 

Mr. Farnam is a native of Meigs County, Ohio, 
liorn Februarj- 8, 1840. His parents, Ephralm and 
Rebecca (Cushman) Farnam, removed to Ohio 
from the Empire State and a few years after the 
birth of our subject came to Illinois. They estab- 
lished their home in Macon County, where the wife 
and mother died. The hiisban<l and father after- 
ward came to this county and breathed his last in 
Buffalo Heart. Our subject has resided in this 
State since he was about six 3'ears old, was edu- 
cated under her school system and is thoroughly 
identified with her interests. 

In August, 1862, Mr. Farnam became convinced 
that his duty lay on the field of battle and enlisted 
in Company E, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois 
Infantry. The famous engagements in which he 
participated include the battles at Arkansas Post, 
Champion Hills, ^■icksbu^g during the siege, Jack- 
son, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge and Resaca. 



Besides the lieavy engagements lie acted gallantly 
in skirmishes and marches and cheerfully endured 
the discomforts of a soldier's life in its various 
minor phases, until .lul}- 15, 1805, when he was dis- 
charged. He returned from the front on crutches 
and still suffers from the effects of army life; as a 
partial compensation for injuries received he is 
given a pension of $8 per month. After resuming 
the arts of peace he began the manufacture of 
brick and tile in Niantie, IMacon County, and was 
engaged there until 1884, when became to Pawnee 
and built the factory which he uow operates. 

At the bricie's iiome in Marion County. Mo., No- 
vember 24, 1870, Mr. Farnam led to the hymeneal 
altar Miss Mary F. Settles, a native of the county 
in which their marriage took ))Iace. Mrs. Farnam 
is a worthy companion, being energetic and effi- 
cient in the home and in society. She and her hus- 
band have one daughter living, who bears the 
name of Ada M. They have buried one child — • 
Amy — -who died when fourteen months old. Mr. 
Farnam is convinced that the jjrinciples laid down 
in the Kepnblican platform are the best adapted to 
the needs of the citizens of this great nation, and 
he therefore supports them with his vote and his 
influence. He is not identilied with any religious 
body, having liberal ideas, but his character is such 
as to give him good rei)ute in the community, and 
his business enterprises add to the worth of his 
name. 

On another page of this volnme the reader will 
find the lithographic portrait of Mr. Farnam. 



LI C. HARBPniT is a brave veteran of the 
late war. He is carrying on farming in 
-^ Wheatfield Townshi|), rnid is one of its .suc- 
cessful grain raisers. He was born in Sangamon 
County, 111., in 18:32, and is a son of Eli and Mary 
Harbert. His father died when our subject was a 
youth and it devolved upon him chiefly to support 
the family. At the early age of thirteen years he 
began an independent life on a farm near Dawson, 
and continued farming till after the war broke out. 
He finally threw aside his work with the patriotic 



800 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



deterrainalion lo give his services to his country, 
and with that resolve lie enlisted in the One Hun- 
dred and Fourteentli Illinois Infantiy. becoming a 
member of Company I, of which .1. W. Judy vvas 
the Colonel and Egbert O. Mallory was the Captain. 
He was mastered into service September 18, 1862, 
and accompanied his regiment lo Memphis, Tenn. 
From there he went with his comrades on the Talla- 
hatchie campaign and at its close in December 
arrived at College Hill, Miss. From there the One 
Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois was sent to .lack- 
son, Tenn., which it reached after two weeks of 
hard marching. Then it returned to Memphis, and 
did duty there till it was dispatchetl to Young's 
Point, La., to join the army of W. T. Sherman. 
The boys went with that famed commander to 
Jackson, Miss., and bore a gallant part in the cap- 
ture of that city, and then took part in the siege of 
Vicksburg. 

On the fall of that city our subject and his fellow- 
soldiers went to Oak Ridge, Miss., and had many 
exciting skirmishes with the guerrillas. The regi- 
ment was chosen repeatedly to do scout duty, and 
was in the battle of Guntown, Miss., where it was 
captured by the enemy in June, 1864, and was 
taken to Audersonville. There our subject suffered 
all the horrors of life in a rebel prison till he was 
paroled and allowed to return home. He was ex- 
changed in the spring of 1864 and rejoined his 
ret^iment in Alabama. He then took an active 
part in the movements in that Stale till the close of 
the war. He was mustered out August 3, 1865, 
having won an admirable military record as a 
courageous, fearless soldier, who did his duty on 
every occasion regardless of the consequences. 

After the exciting and trying life he had led 
upon Southern battlefields our subject returned 
home and quietly resumed farming. From time to 
time he bought land till he now owns one hundred 
and twenty acres of as good and liighly productive 
land as can I)e found in Whealfield Township. He 
is a man of tireless industry, looks carefully after 
his interests, and keeps his farm up to a high state 
of cultivation and improvement. 

The wife of our subject has been an important 
factor, not only in his happiness, but in Iiis pros- 
perity. Her maiden name was Mary E. Griggs, 



and she was of McLean Countj'. Her wedded life 
with our subject began December 20, 1871, and 
has been l^lessed to them by children, of whom they 
have six, namely: Minnie P., Henry Otis, Nancy 
Luelia. Anna Myrtle, Charles Abner and Verda 
Frances. 

Mr. Ilarberl has always done his duty as a man 
and a citizen, and is highl}' thought of in the com- 
munity where he makes his home. Ho attends 
strictly to his own business and is straightforward 
and manly in his dealings with others. He is a con- 
sistent member of the Christian Church. His 
career as a soldier is commemorated by his connec- 
tion with the Grand Army of the Republic as a 
member of Morgan Post. Politically he is an 
ardent Republican. No one is more ardently in- 
terested in the welfare of Wheatfleld Township 
than he, and as one of its School Directors, which 
oflice he has held for man}' years, he has striven to 
advance the cause of education within its borders. 



"~3"*- 



\Tp^, ICHARD C. SMITH, one of the old resi- 
li>fr dents of Curran Township, is pleasantly 
^ \\\ located on section 23, engaged in general 
'^@ farming and stock-raising. His estate con- 
sists of one hundred thirty-one and a half .acres, 
the most of which is a part of the original Smith 
homestead. Since he took possession he has added 
to the improvements that had already been made, 
and the place to-d.ay ranks among the most com- 
fortable and attractive in this vicinity. The var- 
ious buildings which are made necessary by the 
extent of the work carried on here are conveniently 
disposed, and built with a view to their continuance 
as well aj convenience. A number of fruit trees 
add to the beauty and value of the proi-eily, and 
well-kept hedges and wire fencing enclose and sub- 
divide the acreage. 

Mr. Smith was born in Curran Township, Feb- 
ruary 12, 1833, and reared on the farm he now 
owns. His father, John Smith, a native of Wash- 
ington ( ounty, Ky., is spoken of at length in the 
sketch of Thomas Smith, a brother of our subject, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



801 



on anotbor page in this Album. He of whom we 
write, pursued his studies in the common scliools. 
ids Qrst instruction being received in those carried 
on by subscription, and his later years being passed 
under the free school system. Like many another 
resident in this county, he began taking a part in 
the labors of life when quite small, and was but 
nine years old when he guided the wooden plow 
wliich was drawn by one horse. Wlien a little 
stronger he helped to break prairie with five yoke 
of oxen. He continued to make his home witli Ids 
parents until after he had attained to his majority. 
In the meantime he had ni.arried, am! after can-y- 
ing on the liome farm a year, he and his wife re- 
moved into a log house, and be operated a part of 
the homesteail. He afterward bought land on sec- 
tion 26, built a dwelling and otherwise improved 
the trcct which he farmed until 1871. 

Mr. Smith then sold the one hundred and forty 
acres he held and bought in Chatham Townshi[), 
near Loami. There he continued his agricultural 
labors until 1874, when he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of improved land near Tolono and 
removed thereto. In 1881 he left Champaigti 
County and returned to the old home. Ujjon the 
death of his father he was made one of the admin- 
istrators of the estate, and when it was settled, 
became the possessor of that [lart which be is now 
operating. The old Smith homestead was long ago 
denominated Preachers Home, and still retains the 
name, from the fact that ministers are always wel- 
come and are freely entertained there. Not only 
is Mr. Smith social and fi'iendl}', but his wife is the 
very soul of hospitality', and together they draw 
around them a large circle of sincere friends, and 
even the stranger within their gates is made to feel 
at home. 

The marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Atnarine 
Shelton was solemnized in Curran Township, April 
7, 1853. ISIrs. Smith is a granddaughter of Stephen 
and Lydia (Heath) Shelton, the former of whom 
was born in North Carolina in 1777. They estab- 
lished their home near the mouth of the Scioto 
Hiver in Ohio, subsequenti}' removed to Cabell 
County, W. Va., and in the spring of 18"26 came 
hither. Grandfather Shelton located on section 
33, Curran Townshi[), building a large double log 



house and operating eighty acres of land. His son 
William, who was born in Ohio, March 18. 1827. 
was for some time a lead miner at Galena. Wlien 
the trouble with the Winnebago Indians arose, he 
volunteered in a company raised at the mines. In 
1830 he returned to this county and carried on 
farming until his health failed, when he removed to 
Chatham, there to breathe his Last. The date of bis 
demise was 1877. 

The mother of Mrs. Smith was Prudence Neal, 
born in Virginia, April t), 1805. Her father. Dan- 
iel Neal, a farmer and shoemaker, brought his fam- 
ily to this county in 1828, locating in Ciiatham 
Township. He afterward removed to Loami Town- 
ship where he died. Mrs. Shelton is now living 
with our subject; she is a member of the Baptist 
Cburch. Her children are five in number, Mrs. 
Smith being the second in order of birth. The 
others are John R.. of Moultrie County ; Daniel M., 
of this county; Mrs. Zarilda Worth, of Illinois, and 
James M., of Kansas. Tlie eldest was a member of 
the One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry 
from 1862 until the close of the Civil War. 

.Mrs. Smith was born September 2, 1835, and was 
taught the arts of spinning, weaving, and the other 
household duties which were considered essential to 
the daughters of a former gener.alion. She com- 
bines with her housewifely skill an affectionate 
nature and the devotion to her loved ones, which 
make her a model wife and mother. Of the chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, we note the fol- 
lowing: Thomas William was gr.adiiated from the 
Danville (Ind.) College after completing the scien- 
tific course. He was formerly engaged in teachino' 
in this county, but now resides at Tolono. Cham- 
paign County, being agent for the Great American 
Steel Bridge Company. He is married and has three 
children — Claude, Edna and (ieorgie; John R.. a 
prominent fiirmer near Philo, Champaign County, 
is married and has two children, LeRoy and Rich- 
ard M.; Lizzie is the wife of Joseph Smith, a 
farmer of Curran Township, and their family in- 
cludes two children, Lloyd E. and Ralph 15.; James 
A. who is farming in Champaign County, is married 
and has one son, Charles G.; Richard E. with his 
wife occupies a farm near Berry ; Charles E. is a car- 
penter in Arkansas City, Kan.; Flora J. is the wife 



802 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of Everett A. Baugli. a farmer near Woodside, and 
has one son, Charles A.; Frederick II. is unmarried 
and with ids parents. 

Mr. Smitii has been Higliway Commissioner one 
term, anil was Justice of the Peace four j'ears. For 
over twenty years he lias held the position of School 
Director. His political allegiance is given to the 
llopublican party, whicli has no stancher member 
than he; he has been a member of the Central Com- 
mittee, and a delegate to county conventions. He 
belongs to the Masonic Lodge No. 523, at Chat- 
liam, and to the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Associa- 
tion .at Curran. He occu[)ies the front rank among 
the members of Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal 
Church, is now Class-Leader, Steward and Trustee, 
was formerly member of the building committee, 
and has Ijeen .Superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
He enjoys unbounded populantj", and is regarded 
on all sides as one of the most prominent members 
of the community in business and social relations. 
Mr. Smith has in his possession the gun with which 
his father used to hunt in the early days. It was 
oi'iginally of the flint-lock pattern, but has been 
remodeled into a rifle of regular make. 



J. ROURKE is Deputy Treasurer of Sanga- 
mon County, a position he has held since 
1882, with the exception of six months, 
working under two count}' treasurers and 
lining the duties of the oflice satisfactorily. Mr. 
Rourke is of Irish birth and parentage, his paternal 
grandfather, a native of County Carlo w, Ireland, 
serving in the Irish Rebellion and later, in 1848, 
coming to America. He located in New York City, 
where he passed the remainder of his life. HiS son, 
the father of our subject, was reared in Ireland, 
where he married and engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. In 1850 he came to the United States, loca- 
ting in New York City and engaging in business 
with a brother. 

In 1851 the father sent for his family, and with 
them removed to Vermont, near Bennington, where 
he engaged in farming until 1855. At that dale lie 
came to Sangamon County, III., later superintendeil 



the management of a farm in Logan County, but 
now lives retired in Springfield, having attained 
the age of seventy years. Religiously, he is a 
member of the Catholic Church. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Margaret Foley, and who 
is still living, was also a native of County Carlow, 
Ireland, and is the daughter of James Foley, a 
farmer there. 

To the parents of our subject were born three 
children, namely: Joanna, P. J., and Kate J. He 
of whom we write was born in County Carlow, 
Ireland, May 4, 1848, and was brought by his 
mother to America when two years old, in a sailing 
vessel, the "White Star." After a tedious voyage 
of seven weeks and three days they arrived in the 
New World and joined the father. Our subject 
received a good common-school education in 
Springfield, and in June, 1866, graduated from the 
High School. He continued, after leaving school, 
to take special lessons in engineering and survey- 
ing here and in Chicago, and became a practical 
surveyor, surveying two railroads and running the 
first route to Grafton. In the meantime he taught 
school for several terms. 

Our subject was elected County Superintendent 
in 1873 on the Democratic ticket and thus drifted 
back into school work, for which he had a natural* 
aptitude. He held the oflice for nine successive 
years, then declined another nomination. In 1886 
he was nominated for the same position which he 
had filled so satisfactorily a few years previously, 
but was defeated at the polls. For two years he 
acted as Deputy County Clerk, and was a member 
of the State Board of Examiners for State certifi- 
cates and diplomas. He was Principal of the 
Chatham school in 1877-78, and it was always bis 
aim to advance the standard of education in every 
way possible. He is also interested in farming, and 
operates one hundred and eighty acres on section 
23. 

Mr. Rourke was married October 23, 1879, to 
iVIiss Margaret E. Ray, who was born in Gardner 
Township, tiiis county, and is the daughter of 
Samuel Ray, a native of Kentucky and an early 
settler in Sangamon Count}'. Mr. Ray engaged in 
farming in Gardner Township until his death in 
1879 ; he married Elcy Robison, a native of Illinois, 




p 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



605 



whose parents came from Kentucky. Jlr. Ray was 
a Democrat politicall}-, and ^^■as Supervisor at tbe 
time of liis death. To Mr. and Mrs. Rouri<e three 
children have been born: 0\yen, John and Margaret. 
The family are highly esteemed among a large cir- 
cle of acquaintances, and their upright lives are 
such as to endear them to all who have the pleasure 
of meeting them. 

i^^- ■- 




%^ ENRY A. BRAND. It i& a pleasure to 
record tbe main events in the life of one 
who has attained an enviable position in the 
business and political world, solely through 
his own exertions, and who, now in the prime of 
life, can look forward to manj' 3'ears of usefulness 
in his chosen Beld of labor. It is, therefore, grati- 
fying to place before the reader a brief outline of 
the life of Mr. Brand, Treasurer of Sangamon 
County, and to present his portrait to his fellow 
citizens. He is an honored and trusted civic offi- 
cial whose practical industry, vigorously applied, 
has brought him success and a high place in the esti- 
mation of his fellow citizens. 

A native of Prussia, Germany, Mr. Brand was 
born Januarj' 8, 1849, and is a son of the late 
Frederick and Amelia (Manhenke) Brand. His 
father was a government official in Prussia, acting 
in the same capacity as that of County Treasurer, 
to which were added the duties of Civil Magistrate. 
He was quite a prominent flgure in his native land 
and was looked up to by all who knew him for his 
great worth. The family came to America in 1863 
and at first located at Quincy, whence they came 
a short time after to Springfield. Here the father 
and mother rounded out well-spent lives full of 
years, the former dying May 15, 1878, at the age 
of seventy-six years, while the latter survived until 
December 10, 1888, having attained the age of 
seventy -seven years. There are eight brothers and 
one sister in the family, all of whom are living, six 
in Springfield, two in Danville, while the sister who 
is the wife of William Koch, is still in her native 
land. 

Henry A. Brand was the fifth child of his par- 



ents in order of birth and obtained an excellent 
education in the schools of his native land. He was 
a bright lad of fourteen years when the family came 
to this country, and after lie had acquired the trade 
of a carriage painter, carried it on in Springfield 
twenty-five years in company witli five of liis 
brothers, one of whom still continues Id the busi- 
ness. 

Mr. Brand was married August 5, 1872, to Mary 
Grennell, of Siiringfield, and they have been very 
happy in their domestic relations. Their home is 
one of comfort and ha[)piness, and five children 
have come to bless it, namely : Sophia, Louis, 
Henry, Earl and Reuben. From 1879 until 1881 
our subject was Treasurer for Springfield Township, 
and so well did he fill that ofBce, performing its 
duties systematically, promptly and with fidelity 
to the interests of tlie community, that when his 
party sought a nominee for the position of County 
Treasurer whose honesty and integrity could not 
be questioned they looked upon his record and 
selected him. Thus it came that he was elected to 
the responsible position of County Treasurer in 
1886, running ahead of his ticket about two hundred 
and sevent3'-five votes. He handles the funds placed 
in his charge very carefully and his accounts are 
always kept straight and the people, who place the 
utmost reliance upon him, have no fear that the 
public money will be misappropriated during his 
term of ofHce. Socially, Mr. Brand is a member 
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and 
politically he is a steadfast Democrat. 



■^OHN LOWRY is contributing to thegeneral 
prosperity of Loami Townsliip by his work 
as an intelligent farmer and stock-raiser who 
conducts his interests so as to secure good 
returns. He was born September 15, 1837, in 
County Down, Ireland, and is a son of James and 
Rosanna Lowrj'. 

Our subject was but a l)oy of thirteen 3ears when 
he left his early home and came to this country. He 
first found work on White River, near Indianapolis, 
Ind., being em[)loyed at the rate of ^8 a month. 



eo6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



For two years he was engaged in the dairy business 
in Marion County, Ind.. and obtained $10 a month 
for his services. He subsequently worked on a 
farm in Benton County, Ind., where he was given 
$10 a montli in the winter, receiving his board in 
addition to his wages. 

Our subject came to Sangamon County in 1861 
and in that year was married to Mrs. Van Daren, 
10 whom be is greatly indebted for the cheerful 
help she has given iiim in the upbuilding of a home 
where true comfort abides and hosi)itality abounds. 
Tiieir union h:is been blessed to them by the birth 
of two children. 

Mr. Lowry has served on the Count}- Board of 
Supervisors for nine years and has conducted his 
labors with energetic persistence, prudence and 
wisdom, devoting iiimself entirely to the work 
before him, and as a consequence has a fine farm, 
upon which he has placed excellent improvements, 
and whose well tilled fields give abundant harvests 
in return for his outlay of time, care and money. 
Me is a man of rare common sense, is endowed with 
good mental faculties and his character for integrity 
and loyal citizenship is of the higiiest. Though of 
foreign birth he is thoroughly Americanized, hav- 
ing passed the most important part of his life in 
this country, and is as loyal to the institutions of 
the United States as if he were native and to the 
manor born. He takes a sensible view of the polit- 
ical situation of the daj' and has voted always with 
the Republican party, but at present he is identi- 
fied with the Proiiibition party. 




ENRY MOORE. This young gentleman is 
the owner of one hundred acres of fertile 
land on section Ki, Gardner Township, and 
/J operates one hundred and twentj'-five acres 
besides. The entire tract is tillable ar.d all is well 
improved. Mr. Moore gives his attention to gen- 
eral farming, raising large crops of grain and a 
considerable stock of good grades, his swine being 
Poland-Chinas. His own land is fertilized by run- 
ning water and is a well-regulated estate, whose 



buildings have been improved since betook pos- 
session, in accordance with modern ideas of com- 
fort and convenience. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
George Adam Moore, who owned a small tract of 
land in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and who came 
to America early in the '50s. He accompanied his 
son John, who was then about twenty-one years 
old, to this State and remained with him until 
called hence. John Moore worked as a farm la- 
borer several years, then rented land in Cartwright 
Township, this county, and later bought one hun- 
dred and forty-three acres in Gardner Township, 
which he opened up with oxen, and which he 
brought under good cultivation. He added to his 
landed estate until at the time of his death, April 
18, 1875. he owned about two hundred acres. He 
was a successful farmer and a worthy man, hohi- 
ing membership in the Lutheran Church. Polit- 
ically he was a Democrat. 

The wife of John Moore bore the maiden name 
of Annie M. Noss. She was born in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, reared on a farm and was quali- 
fied to take control of the estate when her hus- 
band died. She did so, adding to its extent some 
seventy acres. She was the mother of ten children, 
seven of whom are now living, viz: John, a farmer 
in Gardner Township; Kate, wife of H. Williams, 
of the same township; Annie, Henry, Mary, Tina 
and William, who live on the old homestead, and 
the last-named of whom is attending a business 
college in Springfield. The good mother was sep- 
arated from them by^ death in July, 1885. 

Henry Moore was born on the homestead, a ])art 
of wliicii he now owns, the date of his birth hav- 
ing been October 11, 1865. His educational oppor- 
tunities were such as were afforded by the district 
school, and when quite young lie began to take a 
part in tlie farm work, guiding the plow when 
but nine. years old. After the death of ids father 
he remained with his mother, and when she too was 
called away he took charge of the home place, 
which he has continued to cultivate. He came 
into possession of forty-seven acres of land and 
subsequently' purchased fiftj'-three acres, making 
up a comfortable estate which, with the adjoining 
tract be operates, gives him ample occupation. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



807 



The lady who tias charge of domestic affairs at 
tlie home of Mr. Moore became his wife May 17, 
1888. She was born in Cartwright Township and 
is a daugliter of John W. Day. a prominent farmer 
now living in Gardner Township, where her mar- 
riage was solemnized. She is an excellent house- 
keeper, is well informed, and makes it her constant 
aim to worthily discharge the duties that devolve 
upon her. Mr. Moore belongs to the Farmers' 
Mutual Benefit Association and has been Secre- 
tary of the lodge in Gardnei'. Politically lie is a 
stanch Democrat. He served as Township Col- 
lector one j'ear, but has not otherwise held office, 
his ciioice being private rather tlian public life. 



-^ 



<ji^ DWAIID L. MP:RRITT was born in the city 
1^ of New Yorl\. His father, the late Hon. 
I *' — '-^ John W. Merritt, was a law student with 
O'Connor and Brady as fellow-students and sub- 
sequently a memlier of the law Arm composed of 
these gentlemen. While Mr. Merritt was j'et a 
child the family removed to St. Clair County. 111., 
settling on a farm near Leixanon. Schools were 
few and not of a ver}- high standard, and twelve 
months covered the space of time which was de- 
voted to his education. At the age of eleven years 
he was apprenticed to the printing business in the 
office of the Belleville Advocate. The family soon 
afterward removed to Salem, where the father 
bgan the publication of the Salem Advocate, FA- 
ward L. taking a position in the office and becom- 
ing in time a thorough, practical printer. 

For four j'ears Mr. Merritt served as a civil 
engineer on the Ohio & Mississippi Railway. In 
18.08, in company with a younger brother, he 
assumed the publication of the Salem Advocate, 
finally becoming the sole owner thereof, and so 
continuing until 1865, when he became one of the 
proprietors of the daily and weekly Elinois State 
liegister at Springfield, and which, in company with 
his father, he edited until 1873, when he became its 
editor-in-chief, and so continued until 1877, when 
he disposed of the property to a stock company 
composed of Gov. John M. Palmer, James M. 



Hlggins. John Mayo Palmer and himself. In 
1881 the paper was sold to its present proprietors. 

As editor and pulilishcr Mr. Merritt was identi- 
fied with the State h'egtstcr for over fifteen years 
and as such became known not only throughout 
Illinois but throughout the Union; his paper being 
inflexibly Democratic was recognized as a Demo- 
cratic authority in the State. During Mr. Mer- 
rill's connection with the State Register lie served 
as a member of the Democratic Stale Central Com. 
mittee for about twelve years, tl:e greater part of 
the time as its Secretary, spending his means and 
doing an immense deal of hard work in behalf of 
Democratic i)rinciples. 

In the campaign of 1874, when the Democrats 
elected a nominee on their State ticket for the 
second time since 185G, the campaign was con- 
ducted under his dircclion, while in 1876 he 
again managed the campaign and the Republican 
nominee for Governor was elected by less than 
seven thousand, which was caused by the fact of 
its being a Presidential year. 

Mr. Jlerritt has always been in advance of his 
party on the tariff question, being practicallv a 
freetrader. In 1871, as a member of the Demo- 
cratic State Convention, he introduced the follow- 
ing resolution in that body: 

''Resolrcd: That all taxes or tariffs levied for 
protection conslitule robbery; thai experience has 
shown revenue raised by tariff is the most unequal 
in its nature, most burdensome in cost and most 
productive of evasion and crime; therefore we de- 
clare as a correct principle of Democratic Govern- 
ment, that we are in favor of full and absolute 
free trade with all nations as soon as it can be 
legally reached b\' the United Slates Government." 

This resolution was sent to the Committee on 
Platform, of which the late Hon. Thomas Hoyne, 
of Chicago, was Chairman, and the committee in 
its report to the convention refused to incorporate 
the resolution or anything like it in the platform. 
Although the previous question was moved upon 
the adoption of the committee's report, Mr. Mer- 
rill moved the resolution as an additional plank, 
and after one of the hardest fights ever seen in an 
Illinois Democratic convention, iii which all the 
young Democrats sustained the then new departure 
as against the '-old wheel horses" of the party, the 



608 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



resolution was added to the platform by the con- 
vention, and the Democracj' of Illinois in 1871 
placed itself on the tariff question, where nineteen 
years afterward the Democracy of the nation made 
a winning Gght. 

In 18G6 President Andrew Johnson appointed 
Mr. Merritt United States Pension Agent at Spring- 
field, 111. Being an avowed Democrat, it was under- 
stood at tlie time that tins appointment was the 
cause of the passage of the i)resent tenure-of-oflice 
law, necessitating the presentation of Merrill's 
name and that of all Presidential appointments to 
the Senate for confirnialion or rejection. It was 
alleged that Lyman Trumbull, who was then in the 
Senate, was the author of the law. Shelby M. 
C'uUom, now in Trumbull's place, then represented 
the S[)ringfield district in the lower house of Con- 
gress. Mr. Merrill's name was accordingly sent to 
the Senate, and that body being strongly Repub- 
lican, it was promptly rejected. President .John- 
son returned the appointment a second and third 
time, but the Senate was obdurate and refused to 
confirm. No other reason was assigned for Mr. 
Merrill's rejection except that he was not of the 
political faith of the majority. His ability to dis- 
charge the duties of the office was never doubted. 

Mr. Merritt repeatedly held the position as a 
member of the Board of Education of the city of 
Springfield, during which incumbency he secured 
the adoption of several important reforms and use- 
ful improvements for the management of the pub- 
lic schools. Since his retirement from the editorial 
management of the Stale Register he has repre- 
sented the St. Louis Ecpiiblican. and the New York 
World as their Springfield correspondent. 

In A[)ril, 1890, Mr. Merritt was nominated by 
the Democrac3- of his district for Representative 
in the Legislature, going into the convention with 
more votes than either of his four competitors, 
and was elected, receiving the full strength of the 
party and a most fiattering majority. U()on the 
convening of the Legislatura in 1891, a prominent 
position ill the councils and leadership of the party 
was at once accoided him, and much of the benefi- 
cent legislation of the session bears the impress of 
his thought and study. 

Mr. Merritt has been twice married, Rebecca J. 



Tong, to whom he was wedded in the month of 
September, 1860, at Salem, 111., having been his 
first wife. She departed this life May 29, 1868, 
leaving two children — Elizabeth J. and Wesley. 
Our subject was married to his present estimable 
wife in the month of December, 1870, and they 
have five children. Mrs. Merritt was formerly 
Charlotte C. George and is a daughter of the late 
Frederick George, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Mer- 
ritt are people of high standing in social circles 
and are greatly respected by all who know them. 
Mr. Merrill's parents spent their declining years 
in Salem, 111., where they were held in honor and 
esteem b}- the entire communit}'. Tiie mother 
passed away in 1873 and the father in 1878 at 
ripe old ages. Their marri.age has been blessed to 
them by ten children, of whom seven are living. 
The record of their children is as follows: Julia 
C. is the wife of Mr. McCart}', of Jefferson City, 
Mo.; John H. is deceased; Thomas E., State Sena- 
tor, is a prominent Democrat; Wesley, a resident 
of St. Louis, Mo., is a Brigadier-General in the 
regular army and has charge of the Department 
of the Missouri; our subject; Joseph D. is a jour- 
nalist of Moorhead, Minn.; William W. is a rail- 
road conductor residing at Salem; Emily O. is the 
wife of Jacob O. Chance, ex-Clerk of the Supreme 
Court, a resident of Ml. Vernon, 111.; and Charles 
Willis was a Second Lieutenant in the United 
States Army and died while in the service. 



^/ ACOB WOLF, a wholesale liquor dealer in 
New Berlin, is a young man whose energy 
and i)ersistence have brought him from the 
condition of a poor boy to that of one pos- 
sessed of a snug little fortune. He was born in 
Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, September 12, 
1800, and is a son of Jacob and Juliana Wolf, who 
are also natives of the P^mpire. Before became to 
this country he had fitted himself to struggle with 
the adversities of life by learning a good trade — 
that of a butcher. 

Having determined to seek his fortune in the 
New World, Mr. Wolf bade adieu to home and 



/ 




'^, 




^-Jp? ' i; 



.A 



^ 



cMoA^ ^ Xy^y^^iy 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



813 



friends and crossing tlie brin3' deep, landed al Bal- 
timore, Md., July 3, 1881. He immediately con- 
tinued bis journey westward, slopping at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, where he worked at a saloon three months at 
$2.50 per month, and was cheated out of this small 
amount by a dishonest employer. He came to 
Springfield, 111., in 1882, and S|)ent six months 
working at his trade. He then embarked in an 
enterprise which has proved much more profitable 
to him. He owns a splendid business property 
where he is conducting the liquor trade and he has 
recently built an elegant residence. 

Mr. Wolf won for his wife Miss Marietta Ade, 
whose parents are natives of the Fatherland, but 
who is herself a native of this county, in the public 
schools of which she received her education. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wolf are the parents of three children — 
Mathias, born Januarj- 25, 188G; Lizzie, November 
20, 1887; John, September 27, 1889. Mr. AVolf 
has an extensive acquaintance among the Germans 
of the township and is highly esteemed among them 
as a first-class business man. Since the above was 
written our subject has sold out his liquor business 
and has purchased three hundred and twenty acres 
of choice farm land one and one-fourth miles south 
of New Berlin and will in the near future erect a 
handsome residence and other suitable buildings. 



-5^^» 




ARRISON D. LYON. For a period of fifty- 
six years Mr. Lyon has been a resident of 
this locality and for more than half a cen- 
tury has been closely identified with the 
agricultural interests of Sangamon County, among 
whose farmers he occupies an enviable position. A 
portrait of this pioneer is presented on the opposite 
page in connection with this brief sketch of his 
life. He was a youth of about nineteen years 
when he accompanied his parents to Springfield 
Township in the fall of 183 1, and he has contributed 
in no small dei^ree to the development of the vast 
resources of this county. 

The father of our subject, Henson Lyon, was 
born July 28, 1789, in Loudoun Count3^ Va., and 



was the son of Zachariah Lyon, who was born April 
4, 1748. Zachariah Lyon married Marv Gill who 
was, like himself, a native of Virginia and was 
born March 6, 1753. They became the parents of 
nine cliildren, seven sons and two daughters, among 
wiiom the father of our subject was the seventh in 
order of birth. The mother of our subject was 
known in maidenhood as Nancy McCann and was 
a native of Kentucky. After her marriage with 
Henson L3on she remained for a time in her native 
State, whence the family removed, as before men- 
tioned, to Illinois. The remaining daj'S of the 
father and mother were passed in S|)ringfield Town- 
ship. The3' had a family of twelve children, of 
whom our subject is the eldest and the only sur- 
vivor. The otheis are named as follows: William 
II., Lucinda M., William H., James O., Hester A. 
R., Elizabeth M., Harvey M., Benjamin N., Euclid 
F., Thom.as L., and Clifton B. 

Mr. Lyon was born in Shelby County, Ky., in 
the town of Shelbyville, May 7, 1815, and there 
spent his childhood and youth. He accompanied 
his parents to .Sangamon County in 1834 and has 
since been a resident of Springfield Township. He 
has always been engaged in farming and as he has 
been blessed with health, energy and a good capa- 
city for work he has been very much prospered, 
and now owns eight hundred and ninety-one acres 
of land, all in Sangamon County and quite valu- 
able. He has erected good buildings on his farm, 
and on section 13 has as comfortable a home as 
could be desired. His land is under excellent 
lill.age and yields large harvests, and its substan- 
tial improvements place it among the first class 
farms of the county. 

Our subject has been helped in his labors by his 
estimable wife, whose jjortrait is shown in connec- 
tion with that of her husband and to whom he was 
united in marriage April 7, 1843. She bore the 
maiden name of Mary E. Hickman, and was born 
in Shelby County, Ky. May 19, 1823. The fol- 
lowing are the five children that have blessed the 
union of our subject and his wife: Mary E., who 
is at home with her parents; William H., who 
married a Miss Day and lives in Buffalo Heart 
Township; Euclid F., who married a Miss Masters, 
resides in Illiopolis Township; James F., who mar- 



814 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ried a Miss Oliver and lives in "Williamsville Town- 
ship and Cordelia O., deceased. 

Mr. Lyon voted for Old Tippecanoe in 1836-40, 
and for the grandson of that illustrious general in 
1888, and he is one of the stanchest defenders of 
the Republican party. He and his wife are among 
the most valued members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and contribute liberally- to its sup- 
port. Mr. Lyon is public-spirited and materially 
helps all feasible schemes that will in any way 
make Springfield Township more prosperous or will 
enhance the general welfare of the county. He is 
a man whose character is above reproach and whose 
personal attributes command at once the respect 
and affection of the community where so many 
years of his life have been passed. 




iOBERT L. FIRKINS. This name will be 
at once recognized by many of our readers, 
(ii \\\ as it belongs to one of the oldest settlers 
of Sangamon County. Mr. Pirkins has 
been identified with the history of this section as 
boy and man for much more than half a century, 
and maj' well be looked upon with grateful respect 
for the labors which he has performed in securing 
the present material prosperity and high standing 
in meut.al culture and moral worth of the members 
of the community. His earliest recollections are 
of the primitive condition of affairs in this part of 
the Mississippi Valley, and even as a child he bore 
some share in the progressive labors going on 
around him. 

The Pirkins family is of Scotch-Irish extraction 
and was represented many long years ago in Noi th 
Carolina. There Edward Pirkins, the father of 
our subject, was born and reared on his father's 
plantation. During the early settlement of Ken- 
tucky Mr. Pirkins went thither, but after a time 
removed to Tennessee, making his home near Jacks- 
boro until the fall of 1819. He then came to this 
State, bringing his family iu a wagon, and selected 
a location in this county. He was one of the first 
settlers in Cartwright Township where he made a 
squatter's claim. He subsequently entered his land 



at Yandnlia, and having improved it, operated it 
until his death. He became comfortable in finances, 
owning two hundred acres of good land upon 
which he had a good home and enjoyed man}' 
comforts. In the early days he did teaming for 
others and was quite a hunter. He went to mill at 
St. Louis, and mucli of the corn used in the home 
was grated by hand. IVIr. Pirkins enlisted in the 
War of 1812. In politics he was a Jackson Demo- 
crat, and in religion a member of the Regular 
liaptist Church. He died in 1882 at the age of 
eighty-seven years. 

The mother of our subject was born in Kentucky 
and bore the maiden name of Annie Pierce. She 
iireathed her last in Cartwright Township, this 
county. Her father, Robert Pierce, a Kentuckian, 
lived for some time in Tennessee and in the fall of 
1819 came to this State. After residing here three 
years he became dissatisfied, and returning to his 
native State, made his home in Logan County for a 
time and then joined the Shaker colony in Union 
County, there to spend the remnant of his da3-s. 
Our subject is the fourth of the eleven children 
born to his parents and of his brothers and sisters 
we note the following: Mrs. Poll}' Anderson lives 
in Dakota; Mrs. Leah Beekman died in this county; 
Mrs. Eliza Grafton died in Springfield; Edward R. 
lives in Springfield Township; .Joseph B. is in the 
real-estate busir.ess in the city of Springfield; Will- 
iam T. lives in Dakota; Francis M. is deceased; 
Thomas M. died in early life; Louisa died when 
seventeen years old; Mrs. Rebecca Wilton lives in 
Dakota. Several of the sons have held positions 
of public trust. Joseph B. took part in the Mexi- 
can War and Francis M. belonged to the Commis- 
sary Department during the Civil War. 

The subject of this notice was born in Tennessee 
April 29, 1819, and was but six months old when 
brought to this county. His boyhood and youth 
were spent on a farm in Cartwright Township, the 
days being passed in attendance at subscription 
schools and the usual labors performed by a farm- 
er's son. He made four trips to St. Louis with 
hogs before railroads were built in this country, 
and teamed with oxen between Beardstown and 
Springfield. Having a love for learning and a de- 
sire to become well informed, he made his own 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



815 



way through the seminaiy at Farniingdale. Being 
well advanced in studies and a good scrilic, he was 
solicited to teach, but had no inclination for the 
work, preferring the life of a farmer. 

In Menard County, March 11, 1841. Mr. Firkins 
was married to Harriet Bone, a native of Kentucky, 
whose father, Elihu Bone, removed hither in 1824. 
After his marriage Mr. Pirkins rented land in 
Menard County, but ere long bouglit eighty acres 
which after improving, he sold. He next bought 
in the same county a tract to which lie added until 
his estate included three hundred acres. In 1863 
he sold that property and purchased four hundred 
and sixty acres in this county and again took up 
his residence here. The land which he bought was 
improved and valued at §51 per acre. Upon it he 
engaged in feeding cattle, ni.aking and losing money, 
and also handling sheep when wool sold for$l 
per pound. 

Mr. Pirkins has sold a part of the property he 
originall}' possessed in Curran Township, and now 
has but three hundred acres which comprises a part 
of sections 13, 24 and 25. It bears every conve- 
nience in the way of buildings, the structures being 
substantial and commodious, and is furthermore 
improved by good fences, orchards, groves, and 
tiling wherever needed. The land is watered by 
Lick Creek, and is well adapted for stock purposes 
as well as for the cultivation of grain. JNIr. Pir- 
kins raises Short-horn cattle and a few Jersej's. His 
flock of sheep numbers two hundred head of Ox- 
fords and Shropshires, on which he has taken prem- 
iums at the public exhibitions. lie raises about 
five to six draft horses per year and keeps from 
three to five teams at work in carrying on the 
estate. Additional value is given his farm by its 
proximity to the Capital City, the residence being 
but six miles distant from that center. 

The first wife of Mr. Pirkins shared his joys and 
sorrows during a decade and was then called from 
time to eternity, dying in Menard in ISoI. She 
left three children upon whom the best opportuni- 
ties for mental development and moral progress 
have been bestowed. The first-born. Charles R., 
who is now farming in Woodside Township, at- 
tended the Jacksonville (111.) College. The second, 
Frances J., now the wife of John Purvines, of 



Springfield, studied at Monticello. Thomas M., 
who is also well educated, makes his home with his 
father. At the bride's home in this county, in 
1853, Mr. Pirkins was married to Miss Emma M. 
Dorand, a native of New Vork and a daughter of 
John Dorand, who cnme hither in 1840. This 
marriage has been blest by the birth of one child, 
Harriet E., who was cut down in childhood, dying 
when six years old. 

Air. Pirkins has been Township Supervisor two 
years and has servtd as School Director for many 
years. For forty years he was an active member 
of the Democratiie party, but, being possessed of 
strong teni|)erance principles, he became convinced 
that his duty lay in the ranks of the Prohibitionists, 
and he gives the full force of his influence to the 
new party. He was the candidate for County 
Treasurer on the Prohibition ticket, and although 
the party is not the ruling one in the county, so 
well and favorably known is he.that he carried 
more than the strength of his part}'. The candi- 
dacy was not of his seeking, but he was willing to 
give up his own ease anil comfort if the people so 
elected. Mr. Pirkins belongs to the Farmer's Mutual 
Benefit Association at Curran and is Treasurer of 
the Grange in Ball Township. He and his wife 
belongs to the Christian Church in Springfield. 



ELISIIA SANDERS. This venerable man 
has been acquainted with the growth of this 
; county since 1829 and has been connected 

with its material and spii'itual interests in such a 
way as to merit the resi)ect of his fellow-men. The 
greater part of his life has been devoted to farm- 
ing and stock-raising and he has been more than 
ordinarily successful in gaining i)roperty. An 
ordained minister of the Baptist Church, he labored 
long and well in the Master's vineyard, until 
increasing years compelled him to give up all work 
except an occasional discourse. . 

The birthplace of Rev. Mr. Sanders was Green 
County, Ky., and his natal day January 16, 1804. 
With the exception of a few of his boyish j'ears, 
he lived in his native Stale until December, 1829, 



816 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



when he removed to tliis county. With his wife 
Knd three children lie set up his liome two miles 
west of Springfield, but in 1832 came to Pawnee 
Townshi|) suid in 1836 took possession of land on 
section 5, where he still lives. He has become the 
owner of about eight hundred acres of land and 
has abundant means to supply his wants, physical, 
mental and spiritual. 

In Kentucky .lanuary 17, 1824, Mr. Sanders and 
Jliss Elizabeth Faucett were joined in wedlock. To 
them were born thirteen children, named respect- 
ively, Robert, John H., Mary A. F., Elisha T., 
William M., George W., Harriet A., Andrew J., 
Timothy E. M., Eliza A., Joseph W., Nancy A. and 
Stephen A. ]). 'i'he devoted mother was removed 
by death June 30, 1865. The father was again 
married in Kentucky, February 20, 1866, his bride 
being Miss Nancy J. Faucett, who was born in that 
State January 12. 1844. This union has resulted 
in the birtli of four children — Elizabeth F., Easton, 
Mar*ha E. and Lillie V. 

Various school offices have been held b>' Mr. 
Sanders and he was Township Supervisor one term. 
He votes the Democratic ticket and has taken an 
active interest in political affairs of the vicinity. 
His membership in the Baptist Chnrcli dates from 
1824, and he enjoys the sympathy of his wife in his 
faith, she being a member of the same body, as was 
his former companion. 

\f/AMES V. STRYKER, who is well known 
throughout the conntr}' as a successful 
lireedcr of liorses, is proprietor of the Spring- 
y field Stock Farm, forty acres of which are 
included within the city limits, the remaining two 
hundred and fifty acres lying just outside the 
boundary line. He keeps about one hundred fine 
horses of standard breed, with Elector and Lawrence 
at the head of his stud, and he also has quite a 
stable of trotting stock, with two liorses below the 
2:30 mark. 

Mr. Stryker was born near what is now Roodliouse, 
in Greene County, October 5, 1851. He is ason of 
William C. Stryker, who was a pioneer of this State 



coming here in 1839 from New Jersey. He then 
married Miss Phoebe A. Voorhees, a native of the 
same State as himself. He was actively engaged 
in farming and afterwards removed to Jersey 
County, in 1855, where he carried on a stock 
business, he being one of the earliest stock-men 
of the county, and he drove his horses and cattle 
to St. Louis. His death in 1883 rounded outalife 
that had been a useful and a good one. His wife 
preceded liini many 3'ears, dying in 1855. 

The gentleman of whom this sketcli is a life 
record grew to maturity in Jerseyville, and was 
given fine educational advantages, completing his 
studies at Eastman's Business College at Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y. He thus entered upon his life work 
with a well-trained mind, and on his return from 
college engaged with his father in farming till they 
began to raise fancy stock. He continued in that 
line in Jersey Count}' till he established himself 
here. While in Jerseyville he sold a weanling five 
months old for $3,750, the highest price ever paid 
ill the Uniteil States for so young a colt at public 
auction. 

Mr. Stryker has all standard and registered stock 
oil his farm and has one of the finest studs in this 
part of the State. His stallion Elector, record 
2:21:^, has not only the breeding but has individu- 
ality and is of himself a grand horse, probably one 
of the finest in Illinois at the present day. He is 
a son of the famous Electioneer, the sire of Sunol 
(2:10A) as a three-year-old, and of Palo Alto, 
(2:12^). Lawrence is by Kentucky Prince, sire of 
Guy, whose record on the race course is 2:10f. 
Our subject has sold horses from Maine to Cali- 
fornia and from (Salveston to Fargo, and stock of 
his breeding maj- be found in twenty-seven States 
and Territories of this Union. During the last 
ten years he has made a large reputation as one 
of tlie best posted fast horsemen in the land in 
regard to pedigree and what goes to make up a 
general knowledge of the horse. He does not have 
much time to devote to politics but uses his 
influence in support of Democratic principles. 

January 22, 1874, our subject and Miss Garretta 
Nevius, of Henderson County, 111., were united in 
marriage. They have the following children — 
F>ank, William, Richard, Fred, Charles and an 






^^^^.o 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



819 




infant J. V. They have a very pleasant, attrac- 
tive home and the numerous friends whom Mr. 
Str^-ker has made among his business associates 
are always roj'ally entertained wiicncvcr Ihey cross 
its liospitable tlireshhold. 



^ ILTON DUNKEL. On the opposite page 
is presented the portrait of this gentleman, 
who is a highly-respected citizen and suc- 
cessful farmer of Cartwright Township. 
His estate is pleasantl3' located on section 3;3, and 
there he ojierates his farm after the most approved 
methods. He is now in the i>rimc of life, having 
been born July 30, 1848, and is the only surviving 
ciiild of Andrew and Angcline (Young) Duiikel. 
The family is of German origin and w.is founded 
in America during Colonial daj's. The father of 
our subject was born in Ohio, December 4, 1824, 
and was the son of John and Catherine (Morehart) 
Dunkel. 

Tlie famii}^ of John and Catherine Dunkel com- 
prised fourteen children, of whom twelve are now 
living, six sons and six daughters, as follows: 
Jacob resides in Logansport, Ind.; John, in Cliris- 
tian County; Andrew and Mrs. Mary iNIcCoy, 
twins, the former residing in Sangamon Count}', 
and tiie latter in Shellty County; Ann (Mrs. Mc- 
Donald ), lives in Shelbj- County; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Sutton, in Sangamon County; George also in this 
county; Catherine (Mrs. Plunkett), in Scott 
County, Kan.; Sarah, unmarried, David, Lavina 
(Jlrs. Dorand), and Jonathan, all reside in 
Sangamon County. The parents removed from 
I'ennsylvania to the Buckeye State soon after 
tlie Revolutionary AVar, and lived to a ripe old 
age, the father dying in tlie year ISG8 and the 
mother in 1872 in Cartwright Townsliip. Having 
attained to mature years the fatlier of our subject 
was united in marriage with Miss Young, a native of 
Fairfield County, Ohio, and a daugliter of David 
and Elizabeth (Myers) Young, both of whom were 
natives of Berks County, Pa., and of German 
descent. Mr. Young was a German Reformed 
preacher, and in the labors of the ministry spent 
his entire life in Fairfield County, Oiiio. He died 



v.'hen Mrs. Dunlvel was but three 3ears old, but her 
mother lived to the advanced age of seventy-five 
years and became the wife of Jacob C. Valentine, 
of Pickaway County-, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Valen- 
tine was born one son, Jacob M., who married 
Sarali E. Gross and died at tlie age of twenty-seven 
years, leaving two cliildren — Mabel and Jacob B. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Young, four in 
number, are: Ellen, wife of Dennis Barks, a carpenter 
and cabinet-maker of Circleville, Ohio, and the 
mother of four children, Albert, JMary E., Indiana 
and Anna. Sophia, the next younger, became the 
wife of Samuel \'alontine and died at her home near 
Pleasant Plains. Ten children were born of their 
marriage — Mary E., deceased ; S3'lvester; Cordelia, 
deceased; Ella, Sophia, Israel, Eveline; Clara, de- 
ceased; India E. and Samuel H. Mrs. Dunkel is 
the next younger, and Enos who completes llie 
family, died at the age of thirteen 3'ears. 

Mrs. Dunkel was born in Clear Creek Township, 
Fairfield County, Ohio, February 15, 1827, and was 
educated in the subscription schools, but she made 
good use of the opportunities afforded her and 
obtained a good education for those days. At the 
ago of tvvent3'-one she gave her hand in marriage 
to Andrew Dunkel and of their union were born 
three children — Milton whose name heads this 
sketch; Sarah E. who died at the age of five years; 
and one who died in infancy. The3' came to Illi- 
nois in the fall of 1855 and took up their residence 
in Cartwright Township, Sangamon Count3'. At 
the age of eighteen Rtrs. Dunkel became associated 
with the English Lutheran Ciiiirch of Circleville, 
Ohio, and since that time has lived a consistent 
Christian life. She makes her home with oiir 
subject. 

Milton Dunkel was a lad of seven summers when 
with his family he came to this county. Upon his 
father's farm he was reared to manhood, receiving 
his education in the district schools of the neighbor- 
hood. Having attained to mature years, he chose 
as a helpmate and companion on life's journe3' 
Miss Dora A. Smith, their union being celebrated 
in 1872. The lady was born in Cartwright Town- 
ship, and is a daughter of William and Sarah 
(Dorety) Smith, tlie former a native of Scotland, 
and the latter of North Carolina, where their mar- 



820 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



riage was celebrated. They came to Illinois in 
1844 and both died during the early childhood of 
Mrs. Dunkel. The father was a carriage painter 
and as a journeyman traveled quite extensively. 
His death occurred in 1849, and his wife passed 
away in 1853. Their children are — Robert B., a 
resident farmer of Cartwright Township; William 
W., a farmer of Menard County; Margaret who 
became the wife of John Fanning and died at her 
home in Aikansa.s leaving six children. The young- 
est of the family is Dora A., the honored wife of 
our subject. She is a native of this county and as 
before stated was left an orphan at a very early 
age, h ivinii; no recollection whatever of her parents. 
The Dunkel household is noted for its hospitality 
and the members of the family are held in high 
regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 
The home is complete in every de|)artment and the 
cuisine is uncqualed. Mr. and Mrs. Dunkel are 
members of the Missionary Baptist Church, as were 
his mother and father and he has served as Deacon 
and Treasurer of the same. In politics he affiliates 
with the Democratic party. He is a member of 
the A. 0. U. W., Home Lodge, No. 50, and served 
the lodge as Master three successive terms; in 1886 
he was elected Representative to the Grand Lodge 
of A. O. V. W., State of Illinois, which meets 
annually, and in which capacity he served success- 
fully four years; he was also Lodge Deputy four 
3-ears and maintains his activity and good standing 
up to the present. 



AMUEL W. WATTS. The agricultural 
and stock-dealing interests of Gardner 
Township find an excellent representative 
in the gentleman above named. His fine 
estate consists of four hundred and forty acres, 
two hundred and eighty acres in Cartwright Town- 
ship and one hundred and sixtj- acres on sections 
19 and 20, Gardner Township. The land is valu- 
able, being well located, thoroughly improved and 
for some j'ears under careful tillage. The build- 
ings upon it include a substantial residence, barns, 
sheds, a windmill and tank, and every other struc- 




ture that will add to the convenience of those who 
are (jarrying on its work. Mr. Watts puts most 
of his land in hay and grass, raising but about 
seventy-five acres of grain. He has been engaged 
in feeding cattle and hogs, buying from seven to 
ten thousand bushels of corn per year to feed. He 
also buys and ships stock from Farmingdale, but 
his specialty is raising horses. He has a herd of 
over fifty head, including ten thoroughbreds and 
recorded animals, and a number of graded Clydes- 
dale draft horses. 

The grandfather of our subject was Benjamin 
Watts, a native of Massachusetts who for some 
3'ears was engaged in fanning in Lyman County, 
N. H. He afterward removed to St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., where he continued his labors for 
years. He reared a family of sixteen children, 
nine of whom settled in Sangamon County, 111., 
and when he retired he came to live with them, 
dying in Gardner Township. He was of Welsh 
descent and his father, Nicholas Watts, had spent 
his life in Shoreham, Vt. His wife, Eunice New- 
ton, was of English descent. 

Charles Watts, the father of our subject, was 
born in Lyman County, N. H., and bred to agri- 
culture. He was verj' handy with tools and readily 
picked up the carpenter's trade but followed farm- 
ing principally. He owned a small estate in St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y., where he was married to 
Elizabeth Innis, November 22, 1829. This lady 
was born in County Down, Ireland, December 31. 
1813. Her parents, Alexander and Ann (Wilson) 
Innis, were born in the same county as herself, 
where her father was engaged in farming and also 
in soapmaking. Mr. Innis also was in business in 
Liverpool and was at one time possessed of abun- 
dant means. Having lost his property by going 
security for friends, he came to America in 1826, 
locating in St. Lawrence Count}', N. Y. He became 
a well-to-do farmer, and selling his property there 
in 1835, came West and spent the remnant of his 
days in this county. He entered forty acres of 
land on section 30, Gardner Township, dying there 
when seventy-four years old. He was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The mother of our subject grew to the age of 
thirteen years in her native land and England, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



821 



crossing the Channel many times in all kinds of 
weatlier. Sometimes the passengers would l)e 
ol)liged to laud at Douglas. Wales, or on the Isle 
of Man until the violence of the storms abated. 
Soon after she entered her teens Miss liuiis accom- 
panied her parents to America, and after her mar- 
riage continued to make her home in the Empire 
State until 1832. In the spring of that j-ear Charles 
Walts and a brother came to Illinois, traveling by 
boat and on foot to look up a location. They 
walked from Chicago to Fox River, Peoria, Spring- 
field, and other places, then returned East for their 
families. In the fall they came hither by team and 
wagon, makirg part of a colony of thirteen families 
which traveled together, camping b}' the w.ay and 
holding Sundaj' services with the Rev. Mr. Pond to 
pre.ach to them. In the colon}^ were the Lyman, 
Child, Ransom, Estebrook, Pond and Bates fam- 
ilies. But two of the heads of those families are 
now living, — our subject's mother and Mrs. S. 
Child. 

Mr. Charles Watts had intended to settle on Fox 
River, but as the land was not in market he came 
hither, where he could buy a home before the small 
amount of money he had should be expended for 
other purposes. His first purchase was eighty acres 
of raw prairie, now occupied bj' our subject. With 
his own hands he built a frame house of one room 
from hard wood, and on .July 4, 1834. the family 
moved in. He had not the means to finish the dwell- 
ing at once but did the work with his own hands in 
spare days when not employed by others. He 
found work building houses for the other settlers, 
receiving -"^l per day for his labor. During the 
winter he took a contract to build a bridge across 
Spring Creek near Springfield and spent the winter 
in that vicinity. The next summer he was busied 
on the Sangamon River moving buildings from the 
old town, and in the fall he was able to locate per- 
manently on his farm. By dint of economy- and 
industry he finally got well started in stock and 
o-rain, and proved so successful that his estate 
increased to four hundred and fifty acres with first- 
class improvements. 

Charles Walts was Township School Treasurer 
for twenty-four years. He was a member of the 
first County Board of Supervisors and served for 



years, until he declined the position. He secured 
the post-office at Gardner and was Postmaster for 
some years. He was a very prominent and public- 
spirited man who gave liberally to advance every 
good enterprise. When the Southwest Railroad, now 
the Ohio & Mississippi, was being built he gave the 
right of way for three-quarters of a mile and he also 
subscribed to the fund for securing the road. The 
town of Farmingdale, which was located within a 
quarter of a mile of his home, w.as first called 
Watts, but the name was afterward changed. Mr. 
Watts gave the site to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and heli)ed to build the edifice. He 
belonged to that denomination and in ()olitics was a 
Democrat. He died June 16, 1883, at the age of 
seventy-nine years; his wklow now makes her home 
at the old homestead, and our subject lives with 
his mother. 

Besides our subject, who is the sixth child, the 
parental family included the following: Alexander 
I. went to Oregon in 1851 and was one of the pio- 
neers of the State. He took part in the Indian wars 
there, had hand-to-hand encounters with savages 
and many narrow escapes from death. He has been 
County Surveyor and followed the occupations of 
surveying, farn)ing and mining, gaining a larue 
share of this world's goods; Ann J., Mrs. Stacy, 
died in Jacksonville, this State, in June, 1888- 
Charles II. is a contractor in Colorado; Edwin is a 
stockdealer in Si)ringfield ; Albert B. is u farmer 
in (iarduer Township, this county; Richard N. is a 
merchant in Springfield; Thomas B. is a stockman 
and farmer in Cartwrighl Township; William, a 
physician and surgeon, lives in Toledo, Ohio; 
Mary, Mrs. Gord. resides in Si)ringfield. 

Our subject was born in the township which is 
now his home August 14, 1844. He was reared on 
a farm and early became thoroughly acquainted 
with the details of agricultural life. The district 
schools were excellent and after obtaining a fair 
education therein, he spent a year in student life in 
the State University at Bloomington, Ind. Return- 
ing home in 18G5 he took charge of his father's 
farm, attending to the business of the latter until 
his death. In the meantime young Watts had 
bought an improved farm of two hundred and 
eighty acres in Cartwrighl Township, which he still 



822 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



operates. For some time lie carried it on in con- 
nection witii his fatlier's farm, thus having six hun- 
dred and eighty acres to operate. As may well be 
supposed he had no time for idleness in those days. 
When his father died he bought out the heirs to 
the iiomc place and the two pieces of property 
bring him in a good income and afford him an 
excellent field for his stock-raising and other pur- 
suits. 

Mr. Watts was elected Suiiervisor of Gardner 
Township in 1889, and reelected in 1890. He has 
also been serving as Tax Collector for one year. 
He has been a delegate to county conventions, 
belongs to the Central Committee, and deposits a 
Democratic ballot. He is a member of the Illinois 
Anti-Horse-Thief Association. A man of intelli- 
gence, progressive ideas and good habits, he is 
looked upon with respect and makes many friends. 



'^^'M. 



OIIN M. SMITH. The late .John M. Smith 
was one of the most iiromineiit stockmen in 
this county, at one time dealing as exten- 
((^ / sively in domestic animals as any person 
livino' here. He was the owner of a considerable 
landed estate, which he won by close attention to 
business and careful consideration of expenditures. 
He was born in New Hampshire, August 11, 181.3, 
in the town of Sanbornton, Hud was the son of a 
Revolutionary soldier, Chadwick Smith, who lived 
and died in the Granite State. When thirteen 
years old Mr. Smith went to Boston to assume the 
duties of a clerk for his uncle, Daniel Taylor, an 
importer of china, with whom he remained until 
the spring of 1839. 

Mr. Smith then married Almira Andrews, the 
ceremony being performed May 4, 1839, and with 
his bride came to this county. He bought a tract 
of land on section 35, Gardner Township, but in a 
sliort time sold it and purchased a larger farm on 
Curran Township. In order to more rapidly secure 
the money with which to complete the payments 
for his two hundred and thirty acres, Mr. Smith 
formed a partnership with William Moffltt in the 



stock business. They drove their hogs to St. Louis 
and drove and shipped cattle via. Naples. iMr. 
Smith shipped the finest drove of two hundred cat- 
tle ever taken to Brighton, which because of their 
roan color, were called Peachblows. He was a 
splendid judge of stock and was very successful 
ill liisenter[)rise, which he was one of the first in 
the county to engage in. He was wa}iaid several 
times, as he was known to carry money with him, 
and his widow carefully preserves the saddlebags 
that used to contain his funds. 

Mr. Smith was a stanch Republican and was a 
warm personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. In 
1860 he took three rails from Lincoln's old farm to 
New York and placed them in the hall where "the 
rail splitter" was to speak. Mr. Smith, during the 
later years of his life met with serious losses, for 
which he was not personally responsible, and was 
obliged to mortgage his farm and had not freed it 
from incumbrance when he was accidentallj- killed, 
a corn-crib falling on and smothering him. This 
sad termination of an industrious and honorable 
life occurred .January 14. 1879. 

The first marriage of Mr. Smith was solemnized 
in 1844, his bride being Miss Julia A. Duff. His 
second marriage was solemnized in Gardner Town- 
ship, .January' 7, 1854, the bride being Miss Harriet 
Balilwin, daughter of Johnson and Elizabeth (Ken- 
dell) Baldwin, who are further mentioned in the 
biography of William Dyer, found elsewhere in 
this volume. She was born in this township, March 
4, 1827, reared on a farm, and taught to spin, weave 
and knit, and perforin other household duties which 
were considered necessary parts of a girl's educa- 
tion. Her school privileges were very me.-igre, 
being confined to less than a year's attendance at 
the old log schoolhouse. She has a fair share of 
native intelligence and capability for business, is 
well informed and lias manageil her affairs with 
great skill since left a widow. 

Upon the death of her husband Mrs. Smitli let 
the farm go, but remained upon it as a renter two 
years' at the expiration of which time she bought 
eighty-nine acres of it. Of this fourteen acres are 
left to timber culture and tlie balance is principally 
devoted to the cultivation of grains. Mrs. Smith 
raises full-blooded Poland-China hogs, and keeps 




c,-" 




"^^^-i^/C -^^^ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



825 



the usual number of cattle, and two span of horses 
which are needed in carrying on the farm work. 
Slie has three children all at liome, named resjiec- 
lively, William W., John E. and Nancy Elizabeth. 
Her association with her neighbors has ever been 
of the most kindly nature, and in the midst of her 
own cares she has been ready with words of sym- 
pathy and gentle deeds when circumstances de- 
manded them. 



5iiHii3iE3!:iiiiTi5 




S>EWELL D. SCALES, M. D. Prominent 
among the professional men of Sangamon 
County is Dr. Scales, of Springfield, wliose 
reputation is not limited to the boundaries 
of the city or county, but has extended over a 
large territory. He has acquired an enviable name 
and reputation as a specialist in catarrli, head, 
throat and lung diseases, and his success has 
brought hitn a large and lucrative practice, esi)ec- 
ially in these lines of medical research. A native 
of Williamson Count}', Tenn.,the Doctor was born 
February 1, 1844, and was given excellent educa- 
tional advantages in his youth, graduating from 
the College Grove High School. 

After leaving school our subject took up the 
stud}' of medicine with his brother. Dr. S. W. 
Scales, of College Grove, and afterwards attended 
medical lectures at Nashville. The war interfered 
with his studies, but he gained much practical 
knowledge of his profession, and had an experience 
in military hospitals that has been invaluable to 
him in his after career as a physician. Although 
he was not twenty years of age he had charge of a 
liospital two years as assistant surgeon. After the 
war he ceased for a time the practice of his profes- 
sion and entering the wholesale grocery business at 
Memphis, Tenn.. continued thus employed until 
1876, when he was driven out by the yellow fever. 
The Doctor then resumed his old vocation, open- 
iuo' up an office at Roodhouse, III., and during the 
seven or eight years he remained there, he built up 
a large and lucrative practice and was busily 
engaged nearly all the ^time, liaving as many 
patients as he could attend to, Subsequently he 



removed to Lincoln where he gave his attention 
exclusively to head, throat and lung diseases. He 
soon acquired an extensive notoriety on account of 
the success attending his treatment of diflicult cases 
and found it necessary to seek a more central loca- 
tion, as he had patients from far and near. He 
therefore came to Springfield in 1888, and estab- 
lished himself here. His oflices aie elegant and 
commodious and well supplied with all tiie finest 
instruments used in the treatment of diseases 
alluded to. 

The Doctor was young when he left college and 
having been refused a diploma on account of his 
youthful age, it was necessary for him to pass an 
examination before the State Board of Health 
before he could legally practice his profession in 
this State. He is well read in therapeutics, has 
always kept abreast of the times in the medical 
worhl,and with his experience in the hospitals and 
subsequent practice has an unusually extensive 
knowledge of his profession. Accordingly he had 
no difficulty in successfully ])assing the rigid ex- 
amination prepared by the State Board of Health, 
and attained a high rank, answering eighty-six per 
cent of the questions and of the thirty-five wlio 
took the examination he was one of the thirteen 
who passed. This examination was held at Cham- 
paign, 111., in 1878. 

Dr. Scales and Miss Dora 1). Young, daughter 
of the Rev. Acton Young, of /lennessee, were mar- 
ried January 8, 1886. To them have come two 
children: Rol)crt B., in business in a dry goods 
store, and Pearl, wife of H. G. Moore of Kansas 
City. Dr. and Mrs. Scales have a charming and 
cozily-furnished home and are people of good 
social standing iu this city. A lithographic por- 
trait of the Doctor will be found on another page 
of this volume. 



-^^ 



E^^ 



^ M. — ^ LIAS G. BLACK is the oldest resident at 
jl^ Glenarm and was the first to establish iiira- 
jj^^ self there in business, where he is prosper- 
ouslv engaged as a blacksmith and vragon-niaker, 
he building the first house and shop in this village, 



826 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



He is a son of Benjamin Black, a native of Bote- 
tourt County, Ya., who was iu turn a son of Clirist 
Black, who was a native of Pennsylvania. The 
grandfather of oursubject was a farmer in Virginia, 
where he owned a farm. He was a soldier in the 
War of 1812, and fought in the battle of New 
Orleans under Gen. Jackson. 

Benjamin Black was reared in the county of his 
nativity and early learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker. When he attained manhood he located on 
a farm in Botetourt County, where he followed 
agriculture mostly, though when a young man he 
often engaged in teaming and for seven years drove 
a stage between Beauford and Buchanan. In 1861 
he enlisted in a Virginia regiment commanded by 
".Stonewall" Jackson, and served three years and 
eigiit mouths in the Confederate Army. He at 
one time was taken prisoner by the Union soldiers 
and was imprisoned at Elmira, N. Y. He now 
resides with a son at Roanoke City, Ya., and has 
attained the vener.able age of seventy-eight years. 
He never was a slaveowner and is now a strong 
Republican. 

The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Matilda A. Taylor, and she was born and 
reared in Bedford County, Ya. Her father, Thomas 
Taylor, was the son of an early pioneer family of 
Ohio and w.as born in that State. He removed to 
Virginia, where he followed his occupation as a 
shoemaker until his death. He was a soldier in 
the War of 1812 and served under Jackson. He 
enlisted twice during that contest, the second time 
as a substitute. The mother of our subject de- 
parted this life in the fall of 1889 in her old home 
in Virwinia. Of her thirteen children ten grew to 
maturity, as follows: W. T., a blacksmith in Noda- 
way County, Mo.; H. A., a carpenter in Roanoke 
City, Ya. ; James P., a farmer at Glenarm; EUza.- 
beth F., a resident of Bedford County, Va. ; David, 
a teamster at Roanoke City; E. G.; Rachael M., 
Mrs. Adams, who died in Virginia leaving one 
child; B. F., who has a carpenter shop at Roanoke; 
Mary S., Mrs. Tomlinson, of Roanoke City; Nancy 
J., Mrs. J. Orange, of Botetourt County, Ya. 
W. T. was a soldier in the Confederate Army dur- 
ing the late Rebellion, serving under Lee from 
1861 until the close of the war, He was Captain 



of a company in a Virginia regiment and was 
wounded in the right arm in the battle near Rich- 
mond. H. A. was Orderly Sergeant in a Virginia 
Artillery Regiment, serving from 1862 until the 
close of the war. He was wounded at one time in 
the knee. James P. served in a West Virginia 
regiment from 1862 to the close of the war. 

He of whom we write was born amid the beauti- 
ful scenery of Blue Ridge Springs, Botetourt 
Count3% Ya., June 26. 1848. His early life was 
passed on a farm and his education was received in 
a subscrii)tion school where he advanced in mathe- 
matics as far as the rule of three. He remained at 
home until the war and then took charge of the 
farm, and managed to make a livirg. He contin- 
ued an inmate of the parental household until he 
was twentj'-one j'ears old, and then wishing to ad- 
vance his education further he attended the com- 
mon school in the vicinity. In 1870 he appren- 
ticed himself to learn the trade of a wagon-maker 
and blacksmith under W. A. Stark}-, with whom he 
remained two j'ears. 

In the fall of 1873 Mr. Black took an important 
step in life, as he then came to Illinois and opened 
a shop in Talkington Township. Six months later 
he sold it and worked in. Auburn for J. M. Lord 
awhile. In 1874 he was employed by Mr. K. 
Nuekols and worked for him the ensuing three 
years. While there he was married to Miss Mar- 
garet J. Bowman, who was born and reared on a 
farm in Wayne County and theirs lias been a pleas- 
ant wedded life. !\Irs. Black is a sincere Christian 
and is a member in good standing of the Presby- 
terian Church. 

In 1877 Mr. Black located near the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church in Ball Township, where he 
bought a shop and was busily engaged at his trade 
there until 1886, when he sold out and went to 
work in Auburn. In 1887 he purchased the first 
lot that w.as ever sold in Glenarm, and erected the 
first house and shop that were ever built there, and 
since then he has been actively engaged as a black- 
smith and in the manufacture of wagons. One 
3ear he and his wife kept a public boarding house. 

Mr. Black is a wide-awake man, is a very 
skillful mechanic, and in the few years that he has 
been established here has built up a profitable trade 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



827 



and lias enlianced the business interests of the vil- 
lage of which he had the honor of being the first 
settler. He is a man of sound principles and of 
sterling habits, and in word and deed is a temper- 
ance man who strongly advocates the Prohibition 
cause. He has done honorable service as a civic 
official, has served as Commissioner of Highways 
three 3'ears and as School Director six j-ears. 







ILTON E. JONES, though one of the 
youngest stock-breeders in the count}', 
already stands among the foremost cattle- 
men in Sangamon County. He owns a 
large and flncl}' equipped stock farm two miles 
south of AVilliamsville and twelve miles north of 
Springfield, where he and his brother, S. T. Jones, 
are extensivel}' engaged in breeding pure-bred 
Sbort-borns under the firm name of Milton E. Jones 
<fe Bro. 

Our subject was born on the old Walnut Grove 
Farm in Williams Township June 11, 1869. He 
is a son of the well-known John R. Jones, of 
whom a sketch appears in this volume. Mr. Jones 
laid the foundation of his education in the schools 
of Williamsville and completed it b3' a fine course 
of study in Springfield Business College, which he 
entered in September, 1888, remaining a student 
there till within a few weeks of graduation. He 
was reared on a farm and in his early ^outh 
developed a strong love for fine stock, especially 
for cattle. His father is a noted stock-dealer, 
and of course our subject had splendid advantages 
and opportunities for informing himself as well as 
for the perfecting of any plans he chose to form. 
In 1883, when he was fourteen years old, he 
began breeding Short-horn cattle. The first cow 
that he ever owned was Fourteenth Queen of 
Riverdale, a famous prize-winner, and a remark- 
able animal in every particular. 

About this time Mr. Jones became a member 
of the firm of J. R. Jones & Sons, and he had 
charge of the breeding of cattle, etc. The firm 
purchased of Luther Adams, a well-known importer 
and breeder of Short-horn cattle of Boston, Jliss 



Raraden Ninth, without doubt the most wonder- 
ful cow in America. She weighed two thousand 
one hundred and fifty pounds and won more prizes 
at State Fairs than any other cow of her day. She 
was imported from a famous royal herd in England. 

Our subject has now a herd of more than one 
hundred pure-bred Short-horn cattle, and since 
giving his time to the breeding of stock has owned 
some of the best prize-winners in the State. He 
is, without doubt, the youngest breeder in Illinois, 
and has probably bred more Short-horn cattle, for 
his age, than any other man in America. During 
the past seven years he has prepared and issued 
several large catalogues, giving full pedigrees of 
the cattle he has owned and bred. In 1890 he 
exhibited a herd of pure-bred steers of his own 
breeding at several fairs, including the Iowa State 
Fair, at which place he won more prizes than all 
other competitors, including the sweepstakes, and 
also the grand sweepstakes over all breeds in the 
Fat Stock Show in Chicago. To his enthusiastic 
love of his work and devotion to business, his 
native county is already greatly indebted for rais- 
ing the standard of the cattle bred within its limits. 
His fine stock farm comprises four hundred and 
fifty acres of choice land, well adapted to farming 
and stock-raising, and is in a highly improved con- 
dition, making it one of the most ilesirable farms 
in Williams Township. 

Our subject is an ardent Republican in his politi- 
cal views, and religiousi}', both he and his amiable 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, contributing generously to its support. 
As we have seen, Mr. Jones is a young man of 
unusual business talent and enterprise, and he 
stands high in financial circles throughout the 
county. 

Our subject and Miss May Price were united in 
marriage November 12, 1889. Mrs. Jones is k 
daughter of James R. and Ellen (Flagg) Price. 
Her father was born in Clarke County, Ohio, De- 
cember 16, 1835. His father, also named James, 
was born in 1802 in Herefordshire, England. He 
emigrated to this country with his parents in 1818, 
and located among the pioneers of Ohio. He be- 
came a farmer and stock-raiser and passed the re- 
mainder of his life near Springfield in that Stale. 



828 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



He was quite deaf and was accidentally killed by a 
train of cars wlien he was seventy years old. He 
was a man of fine constitution, was stront{ and 
robust physically, and was never sick a day in his 
life. He was a man of good mental capacity and 
was well educated. He early displayed a fondness 
for books and purchased a dictionarj' with the 
first money he ever earned when a boj'. He was 
a peaceable, law-abiding citizen, never sued a man 
and never was sued himself. He was a good man 
and for many years was a member of the Baptist 
Church. He acquired wealth during a long and 
useful career and at his death left a large estate. 

Mrs. Jones' paternal grandfather, James Price, 
was descended from a long line of distinguished 
English ancestry. He was reared as a farmer in 
England and after he came to this country located 
in Clarke County, Ohio, where he purchased a 
small farm nine miles from Springfield. He added 
to it from time to time until it contained two hun- 
dred acres which is still in possession of his de- 
scendants. He made his first money in Ohio, bj' 
making cheese, which he sold in Cincinnati at 
sixtj'-eight cents per pound. He died in 184G. 

]Mr. Price's mother, Mrs. Jones' paternal grand- 
mother, l)ore the maiden name of Margaret Ryan. 
She was born in Virginia in 1807, and accompanied 
her parents to Clarke County, Ohio, in an early 
day of its settlement. She died in 1879 at a ripe 
age. She was for many years a zealous member 
of the Baptist Church. She was the mother of 
eleven children, seven of whom are living. 

James R. Price was reared upon a farm and 
received a common-school education, attending 
school during the winter mouths until he was six- 
teen years old. He assisted his father on the farm 
until he was twenty-one and then farmed on shares 
and dealt in cattle on a small scale, making some 
money tbereb}'. In 1861 he came from Ohio to 
Sangamon County, and having a few hundred dol- 
lars in monej' bought and sold cattle, and soon 
had good stock. He entered into partnership with 
men of means and continued doing a most success- 
ful business. He and his brother at one time owned 
nine hundred head of cattle, which they herded 
in No Man's Land, and which thej' valued .at 
f60,000. In 1883 a terrible storm visited that 



section of the country and they lost the entire herd 
of cattle, not realizing a cent out of tliem. Mr. 
Piice met with other losses, for which he was in 
nowise to blame, which seriously crippled his finan- 
cial condition. 

In 1880 Mr. Price turned his attention to the 
improvement of cattle, and in that 3'ear imported 
the first herd of Hereford cattle from England to 
Central Illinois. He and his son have since imported 
several fine herds and have done much toward 
introducing this famous breed of cattle in Illinois 
and the West. They have also taken great interest 
in horses and hogs; their favorite horses are Cl^'des- 
ilale and Shire, and the Chester While is their 
preference in hogs. During the past ten years 
they have exhibited herds of fine cattle at the 
various county, district and State fairs, and have 
never failed to carry away several premiums. Mr. 
Price is' recognized as one of the prominent and 
progressive stockmen of the Slate and stands high 
as a business man wherever known. 

Mr. Price is always pleasant and courteous and 
is very hospitable, as he takes great pride in his 
home and family. He was married October 14, 
18(i2, to Miss Ellen Flagg, a daughter of Abra- 
ham and Sarah (Hoffman) Flagg, natives of Ohio. 
Her parents were among the early settlers of this 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Price have had eight children: 
Neb,Lara, Mary ; Robie and Birdie(twins),tlie latter 
of whom is deceased; Emma (deceased), Ellen and 
Jessie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Price are active and 
esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. In politics Mr. Price is a firm adherent 
of the Republican party. 



.■*>->- 



^-^>^^^^^^<^- 



;^^ HESTER A. WINN, M. D. This young 
gentleman, who was graduated from Rush 




Medical College in Ciiicago. and who added 
to his professional knowledge by observation in 
leading hospitals, has built up a large and lucrative 
practice, its center being Loami. He may well be 
styled a self-made man, and bravely has he fought 
the battle of life. He was born September 27, 
1869, his father being Dr. J. V. Winn, who was 




cy&^ Qu:^^:^Lt Ce^iAt 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



831 



1)0111 in^Oliio in 1824. His mother, who was his 
fallier's seconrt wife, was also born in the Buckeye 
State, the year of her birth being 1840. 

After obtaining a rudimentary education in the 
common schools Mr. Winn prepared himself for the 
profession of teaohing, which he followed in Chris- 
tian County, this State, for several years. Care- 
full3' hoarding his means, lie accumulated enough 
to begin a course in college, whence he went to 
Kansas in 1878, to return to this State a few months 
later and resume teaching in lUiopolis. He con- 
tinued to labor in that profession until about the 
middle of the last decade, when he began reading 
medicine. 

The young Doctor had met an accomplished 
English lady, Miss Jane Laneson, whom he followed 
to her home across the sea. Her father is a pros- 
porous merchant in London, and at his residence 
tlie young couple were united in marriage, July 5, 
1880. During his stay in England Dr. Winn wit- 
nessed many surgical operations in the London hos- 
pitals, and by his keen observation of these and 
his careful study of the accompanj'ing treatment 
of the patients, he derived much benefit. Return- 
ing with bis bride to this State, Dr. Winn opened 
an office and took up the labors of life for which 
he has qualified himself by arduous study, deep 
thought and careful judgment regarding theories 
and practice. Politically, he is a Democrat and an 
ultra free-trader. 



^= 




ETER C. CAMPBELL. T(3 record the main 
Jlj events in the life of an influential and rep- 
resentative citizen of any county, is not a 
difficult task, but a pleasure for the bio- 
graphical writer. Such a history not only furnishes 
interesting facts for the perusal of the reader, but is 
also instructive material from which to gle.an ex- 
amples of the results of industry and perseverance, 
wisely directed and energetically api)lied. The 
gentleman of whom we write, and whose portrait 
appears on the opposite page belongs to a family 
well known, from time immemorial for love of 
countiy. Indeed, it is a family of warriors and 



patriots, willing .at all times to s.acrifice comfort for 
dut3', and to respond to any call made by their 
country. Both the grandfather and the father of 
our subject wore soldiers, the former in the Revo- 
lutionary War, .and the latter in the War of 1812. 
His brothers, Alfred C. and William P., took part 
in the Mexican War, and won honors for faithful- 
ness and bravery. 

Not only is Mr. Campbell a reiiresentative of a 
patriotic family, but he also belongs to a race of 
sturdy pioneers. His father, John Campbell, loca- 
ted in Chatham Township, March 22, 1819, and 
with his family constituted the first settlers of the 
townbhip. 'J'he grandfather of our subject was 
Jeremiah Campbell, who settled in Tennessee prior 
to the Revolutionary War. in which conflict be did 
good service for the Colonies, serving under Gen. 
Marion. He lived to an extreme old age, and de- 
p.arted this life when he had rounded out almost an 
hundred years. John Campbell, his son, was born 
in Carter County, Tenn., in 1790, and during the 
second war with England enlisted in a company 
from Carter County, and served until March, 1815. 
In the last campaign he was Ensign and drew a 
lionsion up to the time of his death ia February, 
187.5. 

About the time that Illinois was admitted as a 
State into the Union, many settlers were attracted 
hither by cheap lands .and fertile soil. Among these 
was the f.ather of our subject, who ai rived in this 
State November 6, 1818. Here he was united in 
marriage with Miss Lavina Parkison, who was bom 
February 21, 1803, and thej- became the parents of 
six children, namelj': Alfred C'., William P.. Jere- 
miah, Josiah W., Peter C, and Caroline, who mar- 
ried John Workman. The father of our subject 
married a second time, the lady of his choice being 
Mrs. Margeiy Carson, the sister of the first wife. 

The home where Mr. Campbell now lives was his 
birthplace, and the date of his birth January 19, 
1832. He had very limited opportunities for edu- 
cation, owing to the fact that during his youth the 
surrounding country was scarcely more than a for- 
est primeval, while even the best schools were only 
rude log cabins, where the information imparted 
was apt to bo quite on a par with the exterior ap- 
pearance of the building. He early became inter- 



832 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



estt'd in farniino; pursuits anrl as an agriculturist is 
remarkably successi'ul. He resides on section 7, 
Chatham Township, and is the owner of seventeen 
hundred acres of exceedingly valuable land, all of 
which he has improved after the latest methods. 
He has the finest farm residence in the count}-, sub- 
stantial barns and outbuildings, and gives his per- 
sonal attention to management of his estate. 

A very important event in the life of Mr. Camp- 
bell was his marriage, May 5, 1852, to Miss Amanda 
E. Carson, who was born April 17, 1829. Their 
marriage was blessed by the birth of three chil- 
dren, two of whom died in infanc}'. Their daugh- 
ter, Rachel C, was born May 5, 1857, and on the 
8th of November, 1880, was united in the holy 
bonds of wedlock witli George W. Hunter. To 
tliera were born five children, as follows: George 
W. (deceased), and John W. were born September 
3, 1881; Peter J., April 24, 1883; Charles A., May 
26, 1885; William D. born after the father's death, 
July 10, 188'.). Mr. Hunter died on the 5th of No- 
vember, 1888. Mrs. Hunter and her children now 
live with their grandparents, whose home the}' 
brighten with their childish sports and merry voices. 
Mr. Campbell politically gives his adherence to the 
Democratic part}-, and is universally conceded to 
be an honorable and influential resident of Sanga- 
mon County. A lithographic portrait of Mr. Camp- 
bell is shown on another page of this volume. 



i[(_^ENRY T. FULLINWIDfc:R. This gentle- 
i) man is numbered among the younger farm- 




ers of ^lechanicsburg Township, and is 
following in his father's footsteps as a suc- 
cessful tiller of the soil. He carries on his work 
according to the most approved modern methods, 
and is found re.ad}- to take advantage of every 
means which will add to the value of the crops and 
stock that he raises. He occupies the old FuUin- 
wider home, and was born in this township, March 
1, 1846. There he was reared and taught the prin- 
ciples which should govern every life, together 
with the useful ways that redound to his credit as 
a farmer and a man. 

Our subject is one of eleven children born to 



Jacob N. and Agnes (Bullard) Fullinwider. The 
history of the father is an interesting one, he hav- 
ing been one of the most influential men ever known 
in this county. He was born in Kentucky and 
came here in the fall of 1834 with Lis widowed 
mother, his father having died in July preceding. 
He was then but twenty years old, but he liad al- 
ready evinced those sterling traits of character 
that made him a man of mark in later years. Upon 
attaining his majority he began life for himself as 
a farmer, soon undertaking the improvement of 
stock. He was one of the pioneers in fine stock- 
breeding and greatly in advance of the times in his 
method of farming. His progressive ideas bore 
their legitimate fruit in the amassing of a splendid 
estate of more than thirteen hundred acres. 

Jacob Fullinwider was the first member of his 
community to build a commodious brick house 
upon his farm. His was the ideal country home — a 
tasteful dwelling surrounded by fine trees, and filled 
with books, pictures and everything that betokened 
the cultured life of a Christian gentleman. With 
his business thrift Mr. Fullinwider did not neglect 
other matters of paramount importance. For fifty 
years he w.as a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and his influence on the community is last- 
ing. He will long beheld in grateful reme:nbrance 
by those who profited by his precept and example. 
The death of this noble man took place January 
22, 1887. 

The son of whom we wrile has inherited his 
father's position as an active member of society and 
is following the example set before him in living an 
upright and useful life. For twelve years he has 
been a member of the School Board and his con- 
tinuance in oflfice affords evidence of the opinion 
held of his ability and good judgment by those 
about him. He has brought his intelligence to bear 
upon Governmental questions and is thoroughly 
convinced that Republican principles are just and 
true. He is, therefore, a stanch member of the Re- 
publican party, never failing to deposit his vote. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The wife of our subject bore the maiden name of 
Sarah C. Lindsly. She is an intelligent, refined 
womaji, who finds her greatest joy in the pleasures 
of domestic life, but possesses social qualities and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



6SS 



has a wide circle of friends. Tlie home is bright- 
ened hy tlie presence of four children — Arthur, 
Agnes, Thomas Irving and Wilford T. 

/p^EORGE W. CONSTANT. The priv.ate 
i'|[ (— , banking institution of Tracy, Constant & 
^>^4I Co., in Illiopolis, is one of the solid houses 
of the county, throughout which no two men are 
better known than G. W. Constant, ant! Erank 
Tracy, of ISpringfield, who is spoken of elsewhere in 
this Album. The establishment opened its doors 
to the public on New Years D.iy, 1890, and has 
grown in favor, as our subject has in the esteem of 
his feliow-men and in influence. 

Mr. Constant is a native of the county, born 
June 7, 1837, and is a son of Jonathan and Mary 
(Elder) Constant, natives of Kentucky who came 
liere in 1826. Their home was in Mechanicsburg 
Township where the father lived to see the wild 
prairie give place to fine farms. He died in 1876, 
long years after the motiier had passed away, she 
having been called hence in 1847. The son grew 
to early manhood on the farm, attending the dis- 
trict school and learning useful lessons at home. 
When eighteen years old he went to Springfield to 
learn a trade, at which he worked ten years all 
told, a jiart of that time being in business for him- 
self. 

A period was then spent in farming and stock- 
raising and Mr. Constant then moved into Illiopolis 
and embarked in the sale of hardware and agricul- 
tural implements. After five years this business was 
discontinued, and until the banking house was 
opened Mr. Constant was variousl}' engaged. He 
lias been President of the bank since it began busi- 
ness and displa3's financial ability of no mean order. 
His landed interests are large and constantly 
increasing, his wealth being the legitimate result of 
good judgment and fair dealing. He has frequently 
been called upon to settle estates and act as guard- 
ian to minors and their property, and many of these 
sacred trusts are now held by him. 

Mr. Constant has held almost every position in 
the gift of the people of the township, and has 



proved a faithful and judicious officer. As a mem- 
ber of the School Board he has labored to obtain 
the best results by using the best means and 
material. When nineteen years old he united with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and during the 
years that have since elapsed he has held official 
positions in the society and been active in Sunday- 
school work, as a teacher many years. 

The elegant residence of Mr. Constant is presided 
over;by an< intelligent and cultured woman who 
became his wife in 1857. She was known in her 
maidenhood as Miss Sarah E. Kent and belongs to 
the oldest families in the county. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Constant are four in number, named 
respectively, John D., Lydia Francis, Nellie B. and 
Frances. The son is a member of the firm of Con- 
stant & Grubb, hardware dealers in Illiopolis. 




^m 



jILLIAM JAYNE, M. D., of Springfield, 
comes of an honorable antestry. William 
W^ Jayne, who was born at Bristol, England, 
January 25, 1618, died March 24, 1714, and was 
buried at Setauket, Long Island, was the progenitor 
of the Jayne family in the United States. He served 
in the army of Oliver Cromwell and after the res- 
toration of Charles II carae to America. His son, 
William, the second in line of descent, was born 
March 23, 1684. He was the father of Isaac Jayne, 
who was the third in line of descent and was born 
November 22, 1715. His son, Jothan, was of the 
fourth generation and was born March 4, 1758. 
He had a son named Gershom who was born Octo- 
ber 15, 1791, and was the father of our subject. 
He was married in Springfield to Sybil Slater, the 
issue of which marriage surviving to adult age 
were four children: Julia Maria, who married ex- 
Senator Lyman Trumbull; Capt. Henry Jayne, who 
served five years in the Union army; Mary Ellen, 
who died unmarried, and William Jayne, of whom 
we write. 

William Jayne, the subject of this biography, is 
of the sixth generation from the famous ancestor 
whose name he bears, and he was born at Spring- 
field Octobers, 1826. He was reared amid pioneer 



<B34 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



scenes and was prepared for college under the in- 
struction of the Rev. Francis Siiriuger in iiis native 
cit}'. He entered Illinois College in 184-3 and was 
graduated in 1847 with the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts. Afterward his Alma Mater conferred upon 
him the degree of filaster of Arts. Our subject 
was one of the founders of the famous Phi Alpha 
Society and w.is her first president. 

Having studied in the medical department of the 
Missouri State University for some time, Dr. .Tayne 
received his diploma and has since, except when 
engaged in official duties, been a practitioner in 
Springfield. In October, 1860, ho married Julia 
Witherbee, of Jacksonville. He has surviving by 
that marriage two children : William S. Ja\'ne, who 
married Margaret, daughter of ex-Gov. John M. 
Palmer; and Lizzie, who married C. F. Kuechler. 

In I8G0 Dr. Jayne was elected State Senator 
from the district composed of Sangamon and Mor- 
gan Counties. A year later by appointment from 
President Lincoln he became Governor of Dakota, 
and at one time was a delegate to Congress from 
that territory. In 1869 President Grant appointed 
him Pension Agent for Illinois. He was one of 
the Commissioners appointed by Gov. Oglesby to 
complete the new State capitol. He has been a 
Director of the First National Bank at Springfield 
for fifteen years, and for nine years one of the 
Vice-Presidents of that institution. Four times 
he was elected Mayor of Springfield, serving in that 
capacity in 1859, 1876, 1877, and 1882. 



-ia'fcgL- 



-^ 



%R. RILAND DILLARD BERRY. The 

attention of the reader is invited to the 
lithographic portrait of Dr. Berry on the 
opposite page. His career, both as a citizen and a 
ph3-sician, has been such as to win for him an 
enviable i)osition among the residents not only of 
S[)ringficld but also of Sangamon County. Genial 
in disposition, eoiu-teous in manner and gentle- 
manly in deportment, he wins friends wherever he 
goes. In all his efforts he is ably seconded by his 
wife, a lady of refinement and superior attainments. 
She bore the maiden name of Lenora Florence 



Rohrer, and is the daughter of Milton Rohrer, of 
Morgan County, 111. Their marriage was solem- 
nized on December 17, 1890, and they are now 
comfortably domiciled at their home in Springfield. 

The parents of Dr. Berry are Benjamin L. and 
Sarah J. (Rutherford) Berry, the former born in 
Clark County, Ky., in 1814. and the latter in 
Fayette County, the same State, in 1819. Tlie 
paternal grandfather, Lewis Berry, was born in Vir- 
ginia in February, 1773, and on reaching 3'ears of 
maturity married Agnes Rash, also a native of the 
Old Dominion and born in 1777. The father of 
Lewis Berry was born in 1750 in Virginia, and 
passed his youth in the place of his nativity, which 
was picturesquely located at the junction of the 
two rivers (Dan and Staunton) that form the Roan- 
oke River. 

The mother of our subject belonged to a sub- 
stantial old Kentucky family, her father, James 
Rutherford, having been born in Fayette County, 
that State, in 1791, and her mother, who bore the 
maiden name of Julia Hulse, was also born in 1791 
in the city of New York. The marriage of Ben- 
jamin L. Berry and Sarah J. Rutherford was solem- 
nized December 15, 1836, in their native State, and 
there they continued to reside until 1854, when 
they emigrated to Illinois, locating in Carlinville. 
Both are still living. By occupation Mr. Berry is 
a farmer and has followed that vocation through- 
out his entire business life. Their family com- 
[)rised twelve children, of whom only three survive, 
namel}': Josephine, a resident of Springfield, is the 
widow of the Rev. Thomas Reynolds, a Presby- 
terian divine who was of English birth; Lillie 
Maj', the second daughter, is at home; our subject 
completes the family circle. 

Dr. Berry was born July 10, 1855, in Carlin- 
ville, and was reared to manhood in his native 
town. The knowledge he acquired in the common 
schools was supplemented by a four years course 
in the Blackburn University, of Carlinville, which 
he attended from 1870 until 1874, inclusive. He 
alternated his attendance at the university with 
farm work during the summer months, but shortly 
after completing his literary education he deter- 
mined to take up the study of medicine and make 
its practice his life work. Under the direction of 





^^^^T^(/:£A/i.€^^uyr^ 



>t./ 



FROM DA&UERREOTYPE AT AGE OF 35. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



839 



Dr. John P. Matthews, of Carlinville, he began 
reading and later entere() the Ohio Medical College, 
of Cincinnati, from whicli he was graduated in the 
spring of 1879. 

Forming a partnership with his old preceptor, 
Dr. Berry then embarked in the practice of his pro- 
fession, wliich he continued four years in Carh'n- 
ville, when the connection was discontinued, and 
the Doctor removed to Millwood in 1883. For 
about six years he continued practice in that place, 
and on the 15th of November, 1888, came to 
Springfield. Two years have passed since he lo- 
cated liere, and in that short time he has secured a 
large and lucrative practice. Well versed in his 
profession and possessing skill and ability, tlie 
Doctor is rapidly rising to a front rank among his 
professional brethren. In his political affiliations 
lie is a Republican, and in his religious views is a 
Baptist, belonging to the Central Church of Spring- 
field. The Doctor tikes considerable interest in 
civic societies, is a member of the Modern Wood- 
men, and a charter member of Orient Lodge, No. 
95, K. P., of Carlinville. He also holds member- 
ship in the Macoupin County Medical Society. 



RCHER G. HERNDON. We cherish the 
n)emor3' of the dead. For them statues 
!*i are carved, monuments erected and bronzes 
^^ wrought. The stricken hearts, deprived of 

the companionship of the loved one, instinctivel}- 
turn to the cold and chiseled marble, as in some 
way depicting the loveliness and nobility of the 
now lifeless cla}'. For the same reason the portraits 
of departed friends are valued, and that of the late 
Mr. Herndon, on the opposite page, will be highly 
prized, not onl)' by those to whom the ties of re- 
lationship had closely bound him, but also by the 
many friends to whom he was endeared by long 
association and upright life. He passed from the 
busy scenes of earth October 14, 1890, when a little 
less than sixty-five years of age. 

Mr. Herndon was one of the extensive land- 
owners of Rochester Township, and the proprietor 
of the River Dell farm, which is situated on sec- 




tion 29. He was a progressive and influential 
citizen and a represent.ative of an honored early 
family of the community. Ills father was the late 
Hon. Archer G. Herndon, a native of Culpeper 
County, Va., who at an early day came to Sanga- 
mon County, where he siiciit the remainder of his 
life. He took an active and prominent part in all 
public affairs, ably represented his district in the 
State Senate and proved himself a wise legislator, 
working for the interests of the people. He died 
in 1867, and the entire community shared with the 
family' in their great loss. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Rebecca Day, was also a native of Cul- 
(icper County, Va., wliencs she came with her 
liusband to Illinois. She was an active and faith- 
ful raembar of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and a woman iiuicli admired for her many excellent 
traits of character and the consistent life which she 
led. She survived her husband eight years, and 
was called to her final home in 1875. Mr. and 
Mrs. Herndon were the parents of four sons — 
William H., who was a law partner of Abraham 
Lincoln during his residence in Springfield; Elliott, 
a retired . lawyer; Archer G., our subject, and 
Nathaniel, who died at the age of twelve years. 

The subject of this sketch was born in the Capi- 
tal City, November 29, 1825, and there spent his 
boyhood days, acquiring a good English education 
in the common schools. Like a dutiful son he re- 
mained at home until he had .attained his majority, 
assisting his father in his labors, but when he had 
reached man's estate he started out in life for him- 
self. In De Witt County, 111., on the 15th of 
October, 1846, Mr. Herndon was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Roanna Robbins, a native of 
Campbell County, Ky., born April 17, 1829. Her 
parents were Francis S. and Harriet (Williams) 
Robbins, the former a native of Maryland and the 
latter of Campbell Count3-, Ky. It was in 1836 
th.at. following the course of emigration which was 
steadily flowing westward, they located in Do Wilt 
County. Mr. Robbins was a farmer b^- occupa- 
tion and followed that business throughout his 
entire life. Both are now deceased, having passed 
away in Farmer City, De Witt County, 111. 

Mr. and Mrs. Herndon began their domestic life 
in Springfield Township, where be engaged in 



840 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



farming for several years, but for twenty-three 
years they have resided upon their farm on section 
29, Rochester Township. They became the par- 
ents of eight children, as follows: William F., who 
married Miss Harriet Bryant; Dona R., who died 
at the age of twenty -seven years; Omi D.; Elliott 
G.. who wedded Miss Rose Hatler; Adelia R., wife 
of George Hudson, a missionary in Japan ; Molly 
E., wife of Thomas Thornton; Rome R., at home; 
and Elma R., who died at the age of twenty years. 
River Dell Farm, of which Mr. Herndon was the 
proprietor, comprises some six hundred and eighty 
acres of land, all of which he placed under a high 
state of cultivation, dividing it into fields of con- 
venient size, whose bounteous crops brought him a 
good income. He also engaged quite extensively 
in stock-raising and made many valuable improve- 
ments, including the erection of a commodious 
dwelling. The barns and outbuildings are in 
keeping with tlie house and everything necessary 
to a model farm is there found. Tiie home is pre- 
sided over by a lady of culture and refinement, 
wliose taste makes it attractive and a favorite resort 
with the many friends of the family. Mr. Ilerndon 
was blessed witii prosiierit}-, but his success was 
richly deserved as the reward of his untiring labor 
and good management. He took an active interest 
in political affairs and was an inflexible adherent 
of Democratic principles, but never sought or 
desired public office for himself. His wife is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church and to its 
support he contributed liberally. He was public- 
spirited and progressive and was never loatli to 
aid in the advancement of worthy enterprises, 
while the cause of education found in him a faithful 
friend. 



\EN F. CALDWELL. The origin of the 
Caldwell family, of which our subject is a 
prominent descendant, can bo traced back 
to tlie fourth generation in Ireland. Thomas 
Caldwell, the great-grandfather, was born in the 
North of Ireland of Scotch Irish parents. He 
married Miss Betsev Harris, a AVelsh lady, and 




they decided to move to the New World where 
they would have a better opportunity of making 
for themselves and family a home. They landed 
at Charleston, S. C, about 1760, remained there a 
short time, and then removed to Virginia, locating 
in Nansemond County. There William Caldwell, 
the grandfather of our subject, was born December 
15, 1779. When he was but a jouth his parents 
removed to Jessamine County, Ky., where tiioy 
subsequently died at the home of their son. 

The Hon. William Caldwell was a man of more 
than ordinary ability; while living in Kentucky he 
held several important positions of public trust, 
serving the county as Sheriff and representing it 
several terms in the State Legislature. In Jessamine 
County, Ky., February 7, 1804, he was married to 
Nancy Robards.who was born in Goochland, County, 
Va., September 24, 1782. To this union came six 
cliildren — George L., John, Jane R., Elizabeth, 
Charles tl. and William, Jr., all of whom are now 
dead. The Hon. AVilliam Caldwell removed to 
Carrollton, Greene County, 111., in 1831, and near 
to Auburn, Sangamon County, in 1836. After so- 
journing in the latter i)lace several years he removed 
to tlie town of Curran, where he spent the remainder 
of his days, dying there August 1, 1844. Ilis widow 
survived until December 19, 1858. 

When the Hon, Mr, Caldwell came to Curran he 
found no place for holding public worship near, 
and in order to afford temporary accommodations 
he constructed his residence in such a manner that 
it could be used for tliat purpose. It consisted of 
a large central room with three others opening into 
it. Plans were laid for the building of a church, 
but Mr. Caldwell did not live to see it built. On 
his death-bed he requested that when built it be 
called Bethel, which was done. During the War 
of IS 12 he was Captain of a company from Jessa- 
mine County, Ky. He was a man of ardent public 
spirit and after becoming a resident of this county 
he served one term in the Legislature with credit. 

John Caldwell, the second son of the Honorable 
William Caldne.U and father of our subject, was 
born near Nicholas ville, Jessamine County, Ky., 
January 21, 1807. About 1827 he removed to 
Carrollton, Greene County, III., anil there on 
January 23, 1834, he was married to Mary Jane R. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



841 



Davis. That lady was born in Boyle County, Ky., 
January 15, 1815. Her grandfather, Cj'rus Davis, 
was born in Wales in 1726, and married Sally 
Harris. They emigrated to Boyle County, Ky., 
where both died, the husband February 21, 1811, 
and the wife some time previously. Their son, 
Robert Harris Davis, was born in Virginia about 
1775 and on December 27, 17'J7, married Mary 
Lewis Robards, wlio was born in Goocliland Count}-, 
Va., about 1778. Mr. Davis died in Boyle County, 
K}'., Septc'ml)er 16, 1818, and his widow p.issed 
away in the same county 8ei)tember 6, 1829. When 
their daughter, afterwards Mrs. Caldwell, was a 
j'onng lady she went on horseback from Danville, 
Ky., to Tallahassee, Fla., returning by the same 
route and continuing on to Carrollton, 111., a trip 
of 2,000 miles. 

John Caldwell with ins family came to this 
county in April, 1853, anil located on a farm that 
had been purchased by his father some years before. 
It is nine miles southwest from Springfield and 
one and a half miles north of the village of Chat- 
ham, on section 36, in the town of Ciirran. The 
new occupant made furtlier improvements and 
died there after a painful illness, August 1, 1863, 
The widow with her son, our sul)jeet, who was 
flfteen years old the day his father was buried, still 
reside on the farm. The children of John and 
Mar^' J. R. Caldwell were five in number and were 
named William C, Jane, Betsey, Henry C, and 
Ben F. The first-born is proprietor of the Loami 
Mills and also a farmer, his residence being in the 
village t)f Loami. All the others except our suli- 
ject are deceased. 

Ben F. Caldwell was born in Greene County, 
this State. August 2, 1848, and came with his par- 
ents to this county in 1853. He received a 
thoroughly practical education in the common 
schools and in the gra<led schools of Chatham, but 
was deprived of a higher education, as on the death 
of his father he was obliged to render assistance to 
his mother in the management of his father's estate. 
On reaching maturity, Mr. Caldwell became an 
active business man and b}' careful and judicious 
nianagen\ent of the two luimlred acres left by his 
father added to the farm until he now owns one 
thousand acres, all adjoining and situated in the 



town, of Curran and Woodside. The estate is 
highly improved and is one of the finest among the 
many fine farms in the State. Near the original 
home, in 1876, Mr. Caldwell and his mother erected 
an elegant dwelling house. It is conceded to be 
one of the best farm houses in the .State, and few 
residences even in the larger cities, are so well or 
conveniently constructed or so elegantly furnished. 
It is sup|i|ied with every modern convenience, 
lighted by gas, healed by steam, and supplied with 
water. Here with his family Mr. Caldwell enjoys 
life, royally entertaining his friends when they call. 

Mr. Caldwell gave tlie farm his personal atten- 
tion until 1871, since whicli time he has rented the 
land. He was extensively engaged in stock-raising 
and dealing, but upon renting his farm he gave his 
attention to mercantile business at Chatham, also 
dealing largely in unimproved Kansas and Missouri 
lands. Selling out his mercantile business, in which 
ho has been successful, he in 1879 set about the 
organization of a bank in the village of Chatham 
for the accommodation of the residents of that 
vicinit}'. He was elected first President of the 
Bank of Chatham, which position he held until 
1887, when it was changed to Ben F. Caldwell & 
Co., Bankers, whii:h is still one of the prosperous 
institutions of the county. April 26, 1887, the 
Bank of Virdeu was sold by its proprietors, Wal- 
worth & Heaton, to Caldwell, Henderson & Co. 
The senior member of the latter firm was also active 
in the organization of the Farmers' National Bank 
of Springfield, being at the first election of officers 
made Vice-President. He held that office until 
1885, when he w-as elected President, a position 
which he still holds. 

May 27, 1873, Mr. Crldwell married Miss Julia 
F. Cloyd, daugliter of Malhew Cloyd of this county. 
Thej' made an extensive tour, visiting Niagara 
Falls, Irel.'ind. Scotland, ?^ngland, Holland. Belgium 
and tlio smaller (German States. From Berlin tliey 
went to the great World's Exposition at Vienna, 
siil)sequently visiting Italy and the Alps, and having 
the unexpected pleasure of an audience vrith Pope 
Pius IX. They visited Geneva and Paris on their 
return, arriving in Boston October 6, 1873. The 
union has been blest by the birth of two children — 
Mary Jane, born March 20, 1874, and John Har- 



842 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



vey, born September 9, 1877. The daughter is now 
pursuing her education in St. Agiith.a's School in 
Springfield. 

In the various social societies Mr. Caldwell is 
prominent. On attaining his majority he joined 
both the Odd Fellows and Masons. He is Past 
Master of Chatham Lodge No. 523, F. <fe A. M., at 
Chatham, and a member of .Springfield Chapter, 
No. 1, R. A. M., Springfield Council, No. 2, R. & 
S. M., Elwood Commandery, No. 6, K. T., of 
Springfield and also of the Scottish Rite bodies in 
the Valley of Chicago, liaving obtained the Thirty- 
second Degree in Oriental Consistory, Chicago. 
In Odd Fellowship, he was admitted to Sangamon 
Lodge, No. 6, and to Prairie State Encampment. 
He was demitled from Sangamon Lodge and was a 
charter member and the first Noble Grand in 
Woodsidc Lodge, No. 503, and is now a member 
of Springfield Lodge, No. 465. He is a charter 
member of tlie Benevolent & Protective Order of 
Elks at Springfield and also belongs to the Sanga- 
mon Club, of Springfield, and to the Iroquois Club, 
of Chicago. He is also a member of Chatham 
Lodge, F. M. B. A. 

Although a busy man, Mr. Caldwell is somewhat 
of a sportsman, an ardent admirer of both gun and 
rod. He has hunted throughout the West, from 
Arkansas to Wyoming, and the heads of antelope 
and deer in his residence attest his skill with the 
rifle. 

Politically, Mr. Caldwell is a Democrat and has 
been an earnest worker in that party. In 1877 he 
was appointed Supervisor to fill a vacancy and was 
elected to succeed himself. Although he was one 
of the youngest members of the Board, with no 
previous experience, he was elected Chairman, an 
honor seldom conferred under such circumstances. 
In 1882 he was nominated and elected to the 
Legislature,his colleague being the Hon. George W. 
Murra}-. In 1884 he was renominated by acclama- 
tion and elected with Charles A. Keyes. During the 
Thirty-third session he served on the Committees 
on Banks and Banking, Finance, and Roads and 
Bridges; in the Thirty-fourth session, he was Chair- 
man of the Finance committee, as well as a member 
of others. During the Presidential campaign of 
1888 he was Chairman of the Sangamon County 



Democratic Central Committee. At the Democratic 
Senatorial Convention held in Springfield, April 
15, 1890, he was nominated by acclamation for 
Senator from the Capital (Thirty-ninth) District, 
being the first man nominated for that position 
outside of the city of Springfield in twenty or 
twenty-five years. He was elected, receiving seven 
thousand, one hundred and six votes as against 
five thousand, three hundred and forty received by 
his Republican oppornent. 

The business career of Mr. Caldwell furnislies 
conclusive evidence that he possesses more than 
ordinary ability as a financier and manager of 
affairs. In his public capacity he has ever shown 
the same zeal with which he has carried to a 
successful issue his personal affairs, and it is con- 
fidently expected that in whatever place be maj' be 
found in the future he will take a prominent stand 
among his associates and wield a decided influence. 






^s^ AMUEL HOWER lias a neat and well 
^!^^ appointed farm on section 23, Illiopolis 
%/iLM 'i'o"'"sLi'Pi ^"f' ^'y the skillful management 
of his agricultural interests he has acquired 
a competency and is one of the substantial men of 
his adopted township. He was born March 1-1, 
1826, in one of the pioneer homes of Ohio. Our 
subject's parents were Adam and Catherine (Lud- 
wig)Hower. His father was a native of Pennsylvania 
and in early manhood went from that State to tlie 
wilds of Ohio, where he became a pioneer farmer 
and made his home there until his death at a vener- 
able age in 1882. The mother of our 'subject died 
in 1832 while still in life's prime. 

S.amuel Hower remained in the home of his boy- 
hood and was employed on a farm until he was 
thirty-eight years old. He then came to this State 
and after living for a while in Christian Count}' 
bought his present farm in Island Grove Township 
in 1866. The farm consists of eighty acres of 
valuable highly improved land upon which Mr. 
Hower has place<l a commodious set of buildings. 
He has erected a spacious dwelling, which is sur- 
rounded by tasteful and well-fitted up grounds and 
everything about the place is in a fine condition 




il^JJ* 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



845 



and in fiist-class order. He engages in general 
husbandry and has his farm stocked with stock of 
good grades. 

On February 28, 18.)0, Mr. Iluwer and Miss 
Catherine Hall, a native of Pennsylvania were uni- 
ted in a marriage that has proved of mutual bene- 
fit. It has been blessed to them by the birth of 
these four children: Mary, Elizabeth, Cora and 
Sina, two of whom are married and are living in 
Logan Count}' and two of them are at home with 
their parents. 

Our subject has led a quiet, honest, industrious 
life and has won a high reputation among his fel- 
low-citizens as a man who attends strictly to liis 
own business and pays his debts promptly. He is 
a member in high standing of the Farmers Mutual 
Benefit Association, and all plans rlevised for the 
welfare of his cominunit}' meet witii his approval 
and support, as he is a citizen of true public spirit. 



►^»lk-®, 



'^ 




ENJAMIN R. HIERONYMUS is Cashier 
of the Illinois National Bank at Springfield, 
of which the Hon. UeWitt W. Smith is 
President, the Hon. Milton Hay Vice-Presi- 
dent, H. B. Prentice Assistant Cashier, and E. S. 
Scott Teller. The name Hieronymus is of very 
ancient origin. It is mentioned in II Maccabees, 
Chapter sii. To furtiier show the great age of the 
name we insert an extract from Calvin E. Stowe's 
"History of the Books of tlie l>il)le," mge 1 19, vvho 
quotes one hundred ancient historians, of one of 
whom he says: "Hieronymus (Sophronius Euse- 
bius) was born in the year 330 at Strido in Dal- 
matia. He was one of the most learned of all the 
church fathers, particularly' in everything jierlain- 
ing to the literature of the Bible. He receive<l at 
Rome his first instruction in the sciences, traveled 
extensively, and finally witlidrew to a solitude near 
Bethlehem in Palestine, where he spent iiis life in 
the study of the Scriptures and the composition of 
various learned works in the several departments of 
Christian literature. He employed a Jew to teach 
him Hebrew, and was a diligent and faithful student. 
" His greatest work was the revising of the 



common Latin translation of the Bible called Vul- 
gate, and writing for the several books of the Scrip- 
ture erudite prefaces containing all that could be 
ascertained respecting the authors, times, and occa- 
sions of writing, etc. P^ven the most laborious 
investigations of modern times have in many 
instances scarcely advanced beyond the results of 
Hieronymus. Of most of the sacred books he made 
new translations very much superior to any that 
had preceded. His writings are among the richest 
of the ancient sources of critical investigation, and 
there are passages in them of surpassing eloquence; 
he was altogether sincere and earnest. He had 
several fierce controversies with Rufinus, Augustine 
and others. His writings were numerous, mainly 
on exegetical and historical subjects; they have 
been carefully preserved, and are accessible in many 
good editions. He died in the year 420 at the age 
of ninety." 

About the year 1650 three brothers of this name 
came from Germany, settling in V^irginia. An old 
gentleman b^- the name of Pendleton Hieronymus 
now living at Alexandria, Va., has an old German 
Bible, an heirloom, brought to this country by the 
first three. Fiom there the descendants have 
scattered until they m.ay be found in many States. 
t)ur subject's grandfather went from Loudoun 
County, Va., to Kentucky, near Frankfort, in 1804, 
where he was a contemporary of Daniel Boone. In 
the year 1828 he witli his family came to Illinois 
and settled in a small grove in what is now Hittle 
Township in Tazewell Count}'. He was the first 
settler at the grove and it was ever afterward 
known as Hieronymus Grove. Here he spent the 
first winter in a rude shed of logs with only three 
sides and open to the south, and for many years, 
with a large family, he experienced all the hard- 
ships of a pioneer life. The famous deep snow 
was one event of importance. Indians roamed at 
will, while buffalo, deer, wolves and other wild 
animals were still in possession of the country and 
the nearest neighbors were many miles away. 

James Hieronymus, the father of our subject, 
was fourteen j'ears old when the family came to 
Illinois, and was just the age to make himself use- 
ful in hunting, for by this the early settlers largely 
lived, and in subduing the wilderness by cultiva- 



846 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tion. This he continued to do faithfully, being 
noted for his skill witli tlie broad-axe, until he 
reached his majoritj'. He then married Malinda 
C. Tlionipson, whose parents came from Tennessee 
a few years before. Of the seven children born to 
tlicni four are living, namely: Alvira, Benjamin R., 
Jolin P. and Tiiomas IL The parents died in 1848. 
The subject of this biographical review w.as born 
June 27, 1841, in that part of Tazewell County 
whicli was then Sangamon County. lie was reared 
by his uncle and aunt, Enoch llieronymus and his 
wife, the latter being his mother's sister. He 
obtained a common-scho(jl education in a school 
held in a primitive log cabin, which he attended 
only in the winter, as he had to work on a farm in 
the summer. He afterward had the benefit of a 
good course of study in the Atlanta Higli School. 

Mr. Hieronymus served three years in the War 
of the Rebellion, enlisting August 7, 1862, at Mc- 
Lean in McLean County. The company was nius 
tered into service at Camp Butler, near Springfield. 
S. B. Kinsey was the first Captain, II. W. Wood 
First Lieutenant, and Dennis Kenyon, Second Lieu- 
tenant. This coni|)any was assigned as Company 
A, to the One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois 
Infantry. The other companies of the regiment 
were from Madison and St. Clair Counties. Risdon 
M. Moore, President of McKendree College, was 
made Colonel; Jonathan Merriam, of Tazewell 
County, Lieutenant-Colonel ; and E. J. Newshara, 
of Madison (bounty. Major. During the three 
years of active service Mv. Hieronymus filled suc- 
cessively the following positions: right guide of 
tlie regiment, clerk for tlie Regimental Quarter- 
master, Fourth Sergeant, clerk for the Ordinance 
Officer of Ft. Pickering, color bearer of the regi- 
ment. First Sergeant, First Lieutenant and was 
breveted Captain at the close of the war and was 
muster(!d out with the regiment August 5, 18(55. 
During that long period the whole distance traveled 
by liis company was as follows: by railroad, eleven 
hundred and twenty-six miles; by steamboat, six 
thousand one hundred and thirty-nine miles; and 
marching two thousand and eighty-six miles. To- 
tal, nine thousand, three hundred and fifty-one 
miles. 

The following is a list of the battles and skir- 



mishes in which our subject was engaged and the 
dates on which the3' took place: Queen's Hill, 
Miss., February 5, 1864; Ft. DeRussey, La., March 
14, 1864; Pleasant Hill, La., April 9; Cloutiervilio, 
La., April 23; Gov. Moore's Plantation. May 2; 
Marksville Prairie, May 16; Yellow Bayou, Maj' 
18; Lake Chicot, Ark., June 6; Tupelo, Miss., July 
14; Old Town Creek. Miss., July 16; Hurricane 
Creek, Miss., August 13; Franklin, Mo., October 
1; Nashville, Tenn., December 15 and 16; Spanish 
Fort and Ft. Blakeley, Ala., April 5-9, 1865. The 
capture of Ft. Blakeley after a siege of several 
d,ays and continued firing took place on the 9th of 
April, 1865, the day that Lee surrendered to 
Grant. Ft. Blakeley and Spanish Fort were on 
the ba3' opposite the cit}' of Mobile, and with their 
fall the city passed into the hands of the Union 
forces. When the forts surrendered large numbers 
of Confederates ran down the hills and into the 
water. This was a literal fulfillment of the John 
Brown song: " We will drive all the rebels into the 
Gulf of Mexico." 

On his return from the war Mr. Hieronymus 
quietly resumed farming, which he continued until 
November 15, 1873, when he entered the office of 
Collector of Internal Revenue at Springfield. 
Jonathan Merriam had just been appointed Collec- 
tor after the famous defalcation of Harper. Ho 
first served a few months as office clerk and was 
then a[)pointed Deputy Collector for the Second 
; Division, comi)rising the counties of Sangamon and 
Logan, and was subsequently made Chief Deputy 
of the district, serving the Government in this vvay 
another three years. During this service he col- 
lected and faithfully accounted to the Government 
for the sum of ¥2,102,729.54. His experience in 
the army as clerk and in the Internal Revenue 
office has been of great value to him since. By 
this training the idea of exactness is instilled, for 
the different departments of the Government insist 
upon everything being exactly right. 

During the winter of 1875-76 Mr. Hieronymus 
with associates was instrumental in organizing the 
Farmers' National Bank at Pekin, III., and March 
1, 1878, he resigned his position as Chief Deputy 
Collector of Internal Revenue to assume the 
Cashiership of this bank. That position he held 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



847 



until Augiift, 1886, when he assisted in the organi- 
zation of the Jllinois National Bank at Springlield, 
of which lie was made Cashier, and this office he 
still holds. The paid up capital is $300,000, sur- 
plus and profits $30,000. It has oije hundred and 
twenty five stockholders, who are representative 
men of the count}-, and over seven hundred deposi- 
tors. Its high standing and the confidence it 
enjoys among the business men throughout Central 
Illinois is, without doubt, due in some measure to 
the connection of our subject with it. 

Mr. llieronj'mus was married in September, 1861, 
to Miss S. M. Mountjoy, of Logan Countj', who 
died in ]873. To them were born a son and two 
(I.TUghlers — R. E., Alice and Lulu. On October 4, 
1876, he was uniteil in marriage with Aliss Nettie 
P. Clark, of Springfield, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Ervin Clark,, who came to Sangamon County in 
1838 from Vermont. After accumulating a com- 
petence by farming they retired to a more quiet 
life in the city. The}' now make their home in 
their old age with their daugliter. Mrs. Hieronynins 
was born April 26, 18o0, and by her union with 
our subject he has gained the richest of blessings, a 
true wife. To them have been born two children: 
Lora, born May 14, 1878, and Roy, May 19, 1881. 

Mr. Hicronymus united with the Christian 
Church in 1858, and is one of the Elders of the 
congregation in Springfield. He is devoted to the 
interests of his church and is prominent in its affairs. 
AVhile a shrewd business man he is also a large- 
hearted, benevolent and consistent Christian gen- 
tleman. The attention of the reader is directed to 
a lithographic portrait of Mr. Hicronymus, pre- 
sented elsewhere in this volume. 



^ 



/ 



<S)OSEPII M. JAMES is a good type of our 
self-made men who have risen from poverty 
to aflfluence through their own exertions. 
He is the proprietor of one of the fine farms 
of Rochester Township, lying on section 17, and 
here he is carrying on a good business as a farmer 
and stock-raiser. Mr. .James is a native of Old 
Virginia, born in Loudoun County, September 3, 



1843. His parents were Richard and Sarah Ann 
(Waltman) James, who lived and died in Loudoun 
County. Mr. James was reared in a pleasant home 
on his father's farm amid the beautiful scenery of 
the Old Dominion. This farm lay in the track of 
the great armies that fought on Virginia soil and 
w:is not far from Ball's Bluff, the scene of a famous 
battle during the war. While the Unionists and 
rebels were fighting in ihat contest our subject sat 
on the roof of his father's house and witnessed the 
conflict. He saw many trying scenes during the 
war. 

Our subject remained an inmate of the parental 
home until he became of age. giving his father 
valuable .assistance on the farm until the spring of 
1865. He then left Harper's Ferry for this State, 
as he had determined to seek a new home here and 
to better his fortunes on the rich soil of this part of 
the country. For seven years he worked hard as 
a farm laborer by the month in McLean County. 
He then went to Will County and worked on a 
dairy farm for one year. After a short visit to 
the South he returned to Illinois, and coming to 
Sangamon County he worked out here for about a 
year. He next rented land in Rochester Township 
until 1879. In the spring of that year he settled 
on a farm which he now owns in Rochester Town- 
ship which he purchased the previous year. He 
has here one hundred and sixty-five acres of as 
choice land as can be found in this vicinity and it 
is amply supplied with a good class of buildings, 
is fenced into fields of convenient size and is alto- 
gether a very desirable piece of property. 

After he came to this township Mr. James 
secured one of life's chief blessings, a good wife, 
in the person of Mary C. Waters. Mrs. James is 
a native of Rochester Township and a daughter of 
John and Jane Waters. Eight children have 
blessed our subject and his wife in their married 
life, to whom they have given the following names: 
Laura M., George E., Bulah M., Annie E., Myron 
E., John R., Mary E. and Homer. 

In the advent of JMr. James this coramnnity re- 
ceived a valuable addition to its citizenship, .as he 
has always striven to promote the material pros- 
perity of his adopted township and county, and to 
advance their interests in other directions, He has 



848 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



done good servicp in the cause of education as a 
Scbool Director, wliicli position he has held with 
dignity and credit for several years. In politics 
lie is a strong upholder of the policy of the Repub- 
lican party. He is a man of unblemished reputa- 
tion, who is kind and neigiiborlj' in his relations 
with those about him and his genuine worth has 
gained him much respect. 

^^ HARLES KREMZOW, wlio is busily en- 
lli gaged in farming at his home on section 12, 

^^' Island Grove Township, has attained an 
honorable position among his fellow farmers, 
thougii when he began life in this country twenty 
years or more ago he was very poor. He w.as born 
in Germany July 22, 1840, and is a son of George 
and Nora Kremzow. 

Our subject was only a boy when he became self- 
supporting. At the age of fourteen years he was 
contracted by his parents to work for the very- 
small sum of $12 a3'ear. His enterprising and inde- 
pendent nature revolted at the idea of working for 
so small a sum and as soon .is he was able to he 
determined to leave a country where the wages 
were so low and seek a better recompense for his 
services in iheJJnited States of America, the Mecca 
of so man}' of his compatriots. He came hither in 
1870 and first located in Morgan County, this State. 
He soon found employment on a farm at 118 a 
month, and continued working at those wages for 
five years. He was found to be a strictly reliable, 
faithful employe, and he afterward received as 
high as §35 a month. He worked on that pay for 
fifteen months, up to the time of his marriage. 

After coming to Illinois he chanced to meet a 
comely damsel by the name of Mar}' Rich, and he 
was so favorably impressed with her appearance 
and deportment that he sought her acquaintance. 
He vv.as almost a stranger in a strange land, and 
when he was lonely and discouraged he would 
seek her companionship and she would cheer him 
by talking to him of the old home in the Fatlier- 
land and of his old friends. He learned to esteem 
this young woman very much, and when he sought 



her hand in marriage she granted it to him and 
they were wedded in 1874. Their union has 
brought to them six children, of whom but one 
is living. 

Previous to his marriage Mr. Kremzow had suc- 
ceeded in saving up the sum of |1, 000, which he 
then invested in a nice little farm of one hundred 
and five acres two miles west of Berlin on section 
12. He and his family continued to live on the 
place until 1883, when he bought the farm upon 
which he now lives in Island Grove Township. 
Since it came into his possession he has added many 
valuable improvements and has his land under fine 
cultivation. He has toiled early and late in the 
prosecution of his calling, has succeeded in laying 
the foundation of a comfortable competence, and 
bids fair to become one of the wealthy farmers of 
Island Grove Township. Our subject and his 
wife are people of genuine worth who are greatly 
respected by the entire community where they 
have come to make tlieir home. They are true 
and consistent Christians, and the Lutheran Church 
finds in them two of its most earnest members. 
roliticaily, Mr. Kremzow is identified with the 
Democrats and gives his party sturdy support. 



OHN SCHRAMM has carried on agriculture 
in Loami Township thirty-five years, and has 
acquired here a valuable piece of property 
in his fp.rm that in point of cultivation and 
improvement is justly ranked as one of the best 
in its vicinity. Mr. Schramm was born in Prussia, 
June 7, 1828, a son of Frederick and Anna M. 
Schramm, who were also natives of Prussia. His 
father was a brick-mason and plasterer. He 
migrated to this country with his family in 1854, 
and settled in New Berlin Township, where he died 
in 18G0 at the age of sixtj-two years. His widow 
survived him many years, finally dying in 1888 at 
the venerable age of ninety-four years. They weie 
both conscientious members of the Christian 
Church. 

John Schramm of this biographical review, w.as 
one of four children, of whom two are living. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



851 



had verj' good educational advantages in Prussia, 
and when twcnly-flve years of age, started out in 
life on his own account. In 1852 he ctime to 
America. He was then in the earl}' years of inan- 
liood and was endowed with energy and pliysical 
vigor. He had determined to make his home in 
tliis country as he was ambitious to better his con- 
dition. He sailed from Liverpool March 28, 1852, 
and arrived at St. Louis July 4, the same year. 
He had experienced a terrible storm at sea, in whicii 
twenty-nine people on board the vessel had died 
and been cast overboard. From St. Louis he 
made his way to Jacksonville, tliis State, where he 
remained about three montiis. 

In 1855 Mr. Schramm first made his appearance 
in tliis county. For eleven years he carried on 
farming as a renter in Loami Townsliip. In 1865, 
having made considerable money by his venture, 
he invested in his present farm on .section 18. It 
comprises two hundred and fifteen acres and lie 
has made nearly all the improvements which adorn 
tiio place and which are of a substantial order. 

In his labors our subject has not been witliout 
the assistance of a good wife, as he was married 
October 5, 1867, to Elizabeth Landgrebe, who is, 
like himself, a native of Prussia, and came to this 
country in 1857. To this estimable couple seven 
children have been born named as follows: Joseph- 
ine, Christina, Mattie, John, William. Henr^- and 
(Jeorge. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Schramm are stanch members 
of the Lutheran Cluirch and are true to the faith 
of their forefathers. In politics he sides witli the 
Democrats. He is a man of excellent understand- 
ing, is honest and fair in his dealings, and has a 
good reputation as a man and a citizen. 

RS. P:LIZABETII (ILES) loose. The 
useful influence which a noble man or 
woman of energy and industry may exer- 
cise among those witli whom they associ- 
ate is, perhaps, nowhere better illustrated than bj- 
the life of this estimable resident of Sangamon 
County. She is accorded universal and merited 




respect for the breadth and nobility of Iier char- 
acter, her devoted consecration to husband and 
children, and the many good deeds with which her 
lifeis filled. Her home, one of the most ple.isanl 
in Woodside Townshii), is replete with evidences of 
taste and is constantly visited by the many friends 
whom the hospitable naliirc of Mrs. Loose has 
gathered around her. 

When considering the lineage of Mrs. Loose, we 
find that her father, the late Washington lies, was 
horn in Bath Count}-, Ky., where he was reared 
to manhood and united in marriage with Ann Fos- 
ter, a native of Fleming County. K}-. In 182G 
they left the Blue Gr.ass State, and proceeded 
north to Illinois, locating in Sangamon County. 
They evolved a pleasant home from a partly- 
improved piece of land comprising about six hun- 
dred acres in Woodside Township, and there passed 
the remainder of their days. The wife died August 
28, 1866, while the husband survived until July 4, 
1871. The}' passed away full of years and honors, 
and were mourned not only by their immediate 
circle of relatives, but by all who knew them. 

The family of Washington and Ann lies com- 
prised ten children, of whom the daughter, Eliza- 
beth, the subject of this sketch, was second in order 
of birth. Her native place was Bath County, Ky., 
and the date of her birth August 4, 1825. She 
was only one year old when her parents brought 
her to Illinois, and she has thus passed almost her 
entire life in Sangamon County, and is identified 
with its development from a |)rimitive condition to 
the proud rank it holds among its sister counties. 
Here she received the advantages of a common- 
school education, attending the district schools and 
growing up to a useful womanhood. Notwith- 
standing the fact that her life has been a very busy 
one, she has always found time to keep fully posted 
on all topics of general interest and is well-read in 
our best literature. 

Tlie marriage of Elizabeth lies and J.acob G. 
Loose was celebrated at the bride's home in Wood- 
side Township, December 18, 1845. Mr. Loose was 
tlieson of Conrad and Elizabeth Loose, both natives 
of Pennsylvania, where they passed their lives and 
finally died. During their residence in Pennsyl- 
vania, Jacob G. was born December 14, 1815. Jn 



852 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his nativ^e place he lived until he was twenty-one 
years oltl, when he started out for himself, pro- 
ceeding westward to Illinois and locating- in Sanga- 
mon County. He engaged in mercantile business 
in Springfield for sevei'al j'ears in company with 
Col. John Williams and afterward with E. B. Haw- 
ley. 

After the marriage of our subject she continued 
to reside in Woodside Township, her husband being 
interested not only in merchandising, but also in 
farming and mining. He developed the first coal 
mines in Sangamon County and in many ways ben- 
efited the comnuinity in wliich he resided. Few 
citizens have left more and warmer friends at their 
death than did he, when he passed from the busy 
scenes of earth November 4, 1874. He was sin- 
cerely mourned throughout the entire county and 
the sympathies of hosts of friends went out to the 
bereaved family. His life was one of integrity and 
honor, anfl was above reproach. Ho seemed to be 
animated by tlie s|)irit of Him who had compas- 
sion on the mullitude. and was the friend of the 
oppressed and desiiairing. 

In other than social ways, Mr. Loose was the 
recipient of honors. He served one year on the 
County Board of Supervisors representing Wood- 
side Township. Politically, he was a stanch Repub- 
lican and was a warm supporter and ardent admirer 
of Abraham Lincoln. His life was a Christian one, 
and in the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a 
consistent member, he took an active part. His 
widow is also a member of that church. Mr. 
Loose at his death left his family in comfortable 
circumstances and they now make their home in a 
fine residence, the property of Mrs. Loose, which 
is located close to the city of Springfield. 

The family of .lacob G. Loose and his wife 
included eleven children, four of whom died in 
childhood. Those surviving are named as follows: 
Sally, Mrs. J. D. Crabb; Jessie is the widow of Dr. 
Jacob F. Price, whose biography will be found on 
another page; Joseph, who married Miss Anna 
Marcy; Frank vvho became the husband of Miss 
Fannie Madison; George who was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Annie Louise, daughter of the late 
Col. Speed and Jeanie Butler, of Woodside Town- 
ship. She died at Hot Springs, Ark., March 30, 



1890; Robert and Elizabeth are still at home. Of 
these children who are now prominent in their sev- 
eral communities, Mrs. Loose is justly proud and 
through them and their descendants the influence 
exerted by her and her departed husband will con- 
tinue long after she has passed to that bourne 
whence no traveler returns. 

On anothe" p.age the reader will notice a litho- 
graphic portrait of the late Mr Loose. 



:,EIL L. McTAGGART. The Divernon 
Mercantiis Association carries on an exten- 
sive trade in various kinds of merchandise, 
such as are suited to the wants of the people 
and particularly to those living in the country. 
The ideas of co-operation promulgated b}' the Pa- 
trons of Husbandry have been brought to a practi- 
cal conclusion in this establishment, and especially 
well developed by the present manager, Neil L. 
McTaggart. First-class goods are kept, and by 
doing away vvith the '"middleman, " the prices are 
brought down and the gains accrue to the agricul- 
turists who are stockholders in the concern. Since 
our subject took charge the trade has increased and 
the footings of the establishment become even more 
assured than before. Neatness and order prevail 
in the arrangement and taste with which the goods 
are displayed, while none but the most courteous 
treatment is met with from the manager and his 
assistants. 

Mr. McTaggart was born near Springfield. No- 
vember 26, 1861, and is the eldest of the four chil- 
dren whom his parents reared. He is of Scotch 
lineage and in the land of the heather both his 
parents were born. Alexander McTaggart died in 
Pawnee Township, this county in 1873, and his 
good wife, Jeauette (Carswell) McTaggart, in 
1889. Thej' were persons of more than ordinary 
intelligence, had been very well educated, and dis- 
played the industry, frugality and true benevolence 
of the race to which they belonged. 

Our subject was reared in this county on a farm 
where he learned the lessons of prudence and per- 
severance that have stood him in good stead during 














«?„ 




[rW\A JavJLh 



] 



(^^v 



CuCu{y^V\" 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



853 



all the years that have passed since his boyhoorl. 
He gained a fundamental education in the common 
schools and then entered the High School in Spring- 
field to continue his pursuit of knowledge. He 
adopted farming as his vocation and steadily pur- 
Hned his calling until selected to take charge of the 
"Grange Store" in 1888. In the new line of busi- 
ness he has won the entire confidence of the people, 
to whom he was alread}' known as a reliable and 
enterprising farmer. 

At the head of the household affairs in the home 
of Mr. McTaggart is a lady of wisdom and fine 
character who bore the maiden name of Kittle L. 
Moppin. She is a native of this county and became 
the wife of our subject April 8, 1886. The con- 
genial union has been blessed by the birth of two 
children — Louisa and J. Irving. The political ad- 
herence of Mr. McTaggart is given to the principles 
of Republicanism and he is unfailing in his support 
of what he believes to be the best public policy. 
He belongs to the order of the iModern Woodmen 
of America and Patrons of Ilnsbandrv. 



-*' ^#-v-|l#- 



W. DUNN is numbered among the large 
landowners of the county, and is one of the 
shrewdest business men Curran Town- 
ship has ever known. His home is on sec- 
tion 33, where he has four hundred acres of laud 
which is so improved as to make four farms, each 
watered by Lick Creek and therefore well adapted 
for both grain and stock purposes. In Christian 
County Mr. Dunn has one thousand acres in six 
farms, finely improved, and this, like that in Sang- 
amon Count}', is operated by renters. Some sixt}- 
acres on section 34, Curran Township, together 
with a house and lot in Curran, also belong to Mr. 
Dunn and he is interested in other lands in this 
vicinity. 

The Dunns are of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Grand- 
father Dunn, whose given name was lidmond, was 
born in Virginia and was one of the early settlers 
in Kentnck}', where with others he first located near 
Lexington. The Colonists were driven back b}- the 




Indians and finally established themselves in a 
more hilly region in Harrison County. There 
I^lijah Dunn, the father of oni' subject, grew from 
boy to man and became a farmer. He owned a 
large plantation and distillery and was the wealth- 
iest man in that section until he was forced tugive 
up some of his property to pay notes which he had 
signed ns security. Politically he w.as an old-line 
AVhig, and religiously a Methodist, being Class- 
Leader and Steward in the church and one of its 
chief pillars. 

The wife of Elijah Dunn was known in her maid- 
enhood as Sarah Foster, was born in Harrison 
County, Ky., and in her native State grew to 
womanhood. Her father, Samuel Foster, was born 
in the Old Dominion and breathed his last in Indi- 
ana. Her mother, Mary (^'eatch) Foster, belonged 
to a wealthy and influential Virginia family. Mrs. 
Dunn died in this county while on a visit to her son 
S. W., when fifty years old. Her children, ten in 
number, are now represented on earth I)y Wilson, 
captain of a boat and living in Nashville, Tenn. ; S. 
W., the subject of this notice; and James M., whose 
home is near Ft. Scott, Mo. 

The natal day of S. W. Dunn vYas October 10, 
1823, and his birthplace a farm near Cynthiana, 
Harrison County, Ky. During his boyhood the 
schools in that section were conducted according 
to the subscription metliod. $3 being paid for three 
months' tuition. The nearest school house was four 
or five miles from his home and it was built of logs, 
with a writing desk supported b}' wooden pins pro- 
jecting from the side walls, slab benches, and a 
large fireplace. A favorite recreation was a coon 
or fox hunt, and so rugged were the lads and lassies 
that they thought little of a long walk to and from 
school, or a hard tramp after a day's work had been 
done. Young Dunn remained with his parents until 
after he had become of age and a few years later 
came to this State with bis oldest brother. 

The Dunn boys made their journey with a two- 
horse wagon, fording creeks and rivers and camp- 
ing out at night. When they reached this count}-, 
which was in 1818, they found much raw land 
infested with deer, wolves and other animals, and 
presenting an ap|)earance that gave little promise 
of its present condition. Our subject had seventy. 



854 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



five cents when he readied here, and at once set 
about to find work. Rail splitting offered the best 
opportunity, and during the first winter lie split 
seventeen thousand rails at forty-four cents per 
hundred and cut fifty cords of wood at thirty-seven 
and one-half cents a cord. He then farmed with 
his brother for one-fourth of the crop and in the 
fall went to Jefferson County, where he invested all 
his money in buying claims and improvements. 

Returning to this county during the winter Mr. 
Dunn decided to let the claims go and to begin 
anew here. He began farming on shares, working 
thus two years and then renting land until 1853, 
when he bought one hundred and fifty acres of his 
present estate. For this he paid $10 per acre and 
on it he began the work which has resulted in giv- 
ing him so large a fortune. He moved into a log 
house which was destroyed by fire within a few 
months, and be then moved a cabin on the land, 
which afforded him shelter until a hewed log dwell- 
ing could be erected. Year b}' year the place grew 
in beauty and in extent, as the diligence and thrift 
of its owner met with their legitimate reward. Mr. 
Dunn got his real start in life by raising corn and 
hogs, and subsequently made considerable money 
feeding sheep, clearing -^1 ,000 per year for seven 
years, by this means. This was during and imme- 
diately after the war, when prices were high. 

In Curran Township, April 1, 1851, Mr. Dunn 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Foster. 
who was born September 10, 1823, in Harrison 
County, Ky., and whose ancestry is given in the 
sketch of Samuel Foster on another page of this 
volume. The only surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. 
Dunn is Narcissa, wife of Dr. Akers, a phj'sician 
and surgeon living in the town of Curran. They 
have buried six children, all dying in early life 
except William S., who lived to the age of fourteen 
years. 

Mr. Dunn has served as School Director for two 
years and by the weight of his private influence 
has done much to advance the interests of educa- 
tion. His political allegiance was given to the 
Republican party until quite recently, but he now 
votes the Prohibition ticket. He has been tem- 
perate in principles for 3'ears, never having drank 
^ny alcoholic liquor since he united with the 



Thompson ian Temperance Societj' in 1850. He 
enjoyed the personal acquaintance of Abraham 
Lincoln and knows many prominent peoj^le of the 
present day. He has been a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church for thirty years and has 
been a pillar of that religious body almost from 
the time he identified himself therewith. He is now 
Trustee and has been Steward and Class-Leader as 
well as Sunday-school Superintendent. He gave 
the site for Wesleyan Chapel and contributed 
$1,200 to the building fund. His home is made 
attactive by every means which good taste and 
abundant wealth can bring to bear upon it, and is 
kept attractive by the skill of Mrs. Dunn, who 
unites with her husband in dispensing gracious hos- 
pitality to their many friends. 



E.^ 



.x^^isOL. ANDREW J. BABCOCK. The fact 

l((S)) 

I that a man bore a gallant part in the war for 

^^^J the preservation of the LTnion is sufficient to 
entitle him to the respect and commendation of all 
who love their country. When to this is added an 
honorable business career and a high moral char- 
acter, a relation of the incidents of his life affords 
the biographical writer a pleasant task. The gen- 
tleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of 
the great army who sacrificed the comforts of home 
and braved all the dangers of life on the tented 
field during the late Civil War. He has been con- 
nected with the business life of Springfield for 
more than thirty years and is now emploj'ed in the 
United States Marshal's office in this city. 

Col. Babcock takes a natural pride in his geneal- 
ogy and traces the ancestral line back to the middle 
of the fifth century, when the Babcocks emigrated 
from Saxony to Essex County, England. The first 
of the family in America was James Babcock who 
came to Plymouth, INIass., in 1623. His son, James, 
Jr., was admitted as an inhabitant of Portsmouth, 
R. I., in 1642, and held positions of honor and 
trust. He married Sarah Babbitt and reared four 
children, ore of whom, a son, John, was among the 
first settlers of Westerly, R. I., locating there in 
1658. This gentleman married Mary Lawton, of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



655 



Newport, and their son James, the first male child 
born in Westerly-, marrieil Elizabeth Saunders. 
Tlie next in llie line whs James, Jr., who married 
Sarali Richardson. Following liim was Timoth}', 
whose first wife was Lois Billings, of Preston, 
Conn., and liis second. Thankful Rood, of Nor- 
wich. One of the children of the second marriage 
was John, who was born in North Stonington, 
Conn., July 26, 1765, and died April April "ii, 
1806. He married Louisa (iilmore, a daughter of 
Robert and Sarah Gilmore, of Keene, N. H. Their 
children were: John, Louisa and Robert Gilmore. 

The John Babcock who settled in Westerlj-, 
R. I., was the first magistrate chosen theie and held 
the otlice many years. He owned nearly- all of 
Westerly and a part of South Kingston and much 
of this land is now in the possession of his descend- 
ants, having been in the family two hundred and 
&(ty years. Joshua Babcock, one of his family, was 
a Major-General of Rhode Island Jlilitia during 
the Revolutionary War and the i)ublic records of the 
country testify to his ability and integrity as a slates- 
man. His son Henry was graduated from Yale Col- 
lege in 1752, was Captain of an independent com- 
pany of foot soldiers in 175-1 and in 1755 took part 
in the battle of Lake George. He was promoted to 
the rank of Major, then to that of Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel, and commanded a Rhode Island regiment in 
1758. He was wounded, but the following year 
was again in command of his regiment in the 
campaign under Amherst. In the Revolutionary 
War be was in command at Newport, R. I. Strange 
to sa3', his brother Luke, an Episcopal clergyman, 
was a Royalist; he was arrested and confined in 
jail in Hartford, Conn., where he died. 

In the maternal line our subject traces his an- 
cestry back to one Thomas Glover, of Rainhill 
Parish, Lancashire, England. The name is an 
ancient one in England and is indisputably of 
Saxon origin. Thomas Glover and Margery Deane 
had several children, among whom was a son John, 
who died in Boston, Mass., December 12, 1653. 
He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable 
Artillery' Company of Loudon. In 1628 he be- 
longed to a company called "Adventurers for a 
plantation intended at Massachusetts Bay in New 
England in America." He sailed from England in 



the ship " Mary and John," and arrived at Nan- 
tasket May 31, 1630. He brought with him his 
wife and three children, and all the implements 
necessary to carry on the tanning business, and 
settled in Dorchester, now annexed to Boston. His 
fourth son, Nathaniel, married Mary Smith, a 
daughter of Quartermaster John Smith, of Toxteth 
Park, England. Their son Nathaniel married Han- 
nah Hinckley, daughter of Gov. Thomas Hinckley, 
of Plymouth Colony. The next in the direct line 
of descent was Thomas Glover, who married Eliza- 
beth Clough, of Boston, the wedding ceremony 
being performed by the Rev. Thomas Prince of the 
Old South Church. In 1741 Thomas Glover re- 
ceived a commission of " Lieutenant of a Troop of 
Horse in the first Regiment of Horse in the Prov- 
ince of Massachusetts Bay in New England," by 
Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Governor of his Majesty's 
Province, in the fifteenth year of the reign of His 
Majest}^ King George IL 

The next in the ancestral line was Thomas 
Glover, Jr., the eldest son of the couple above- 
mentioned, who was born in Boston in 1723. From 
1731 to 1748 he served as a soldier and officer at 
Castle William, Boston Harbor. He then settled 
on a tract of land belonging to his father in Siough- 
ton, JNlass. April 19, 1775, he took |)art in the 
battle of Lexington, in Capt. Peter Talbott's com- 
pany. Col. Frederick Pope's regiment. He mar- 
ried Rebecca Pope, daughter of Dr. Ralph and 
Rebecca (Stubbs) Pope, of Stoughton. Among 
their children was a daughter, Jerusha, who mar- 
ried Unite Blackman, of Dorchester, Mass. Mr. 
Blackman was the son of Samuel and Waitstill 
(Tolman) Blackman, and was born in Dorchester. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Blackman a daughter was born 
.Juna 10, 1803, who was christened Lucy, and 
who, on April 25, 1822, became the wife of Robert 
Gilmore Babcock. This conple reared eleven chil- 
dren, of whom the subject of this sketch is the 
fourth in order of birth. 

The father of our subject was a skillful black- 
smith and carried on the business during his active 
life. Wliile the War of 1812 was in progress he 
w.as taken ()risoner, conveyed to England and con- 
fined with others in Dartmoor Prison. He was not 
released until peace was declared in 1815, when he 



656 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



returned to bis native land and settled in Dorches- 
ter, Mass. His birthplace was Pomfret, Conn., 
and his natal day February 29. 1792. A few years 
nfter the birth of our subject his parents removed 
to Quincy. 

Col. Andrew J. B:ibcocl< was born in Dorchester, 
Norfolk Count}', I\Iass., Jul}' 12, 1830, and his 
education was olitained in the public scliools as 
taught lift}' years ago. He has always been a great 
reader and .has added mucti to the information 
obtained in the schoolroom. AVhen fifteen years 
of age he entered the employ of W. C. Huneraan & 
Co., of Boston, as an apprentice to the copper- 
smith's trade. Three years later he went to Loivell 
and began iiis life as a journeyman. Heliad always 
felt enthusiastic regarding military matters, and 
in Lowell joined the Lowell Mechanic Phalanx, 
Companj" C, Sixth Massachusetts Militia. At that 
time Benjamin F. Butler, who has since won Na- 
tional fame, was Captain of the Lowell City Guard, 
Company D, Sixth Regiment, and great rivalry 
existed between the two companies as to which was 
the more proficient in drill. 

In 1851 Mr. Babcock went to Concord, N. H., 
where lie remained until May, 1856. He then 
came to Springfield, III., and went into business, 
selling stoves, tin and slieet iron, and doing copper- 
smithing and plumbing. In 1859 he joined a 
military company called the Springfield Greys, 
under Capt. John Cook, and at the date of Presi- 
dent Lincoln's call for volunteers, April 16, 1861, 
he was First Lieutenant of the company. A meet- 
ing was called and it was unanimously voted to 
volunteer, this being the same da)- on which the 
call was made. Men from the company were 
detailed to guard stores at Camp Yates and a guard 
was mounted at the office of Gen. T. S. Mather, 
Adjutant-(5eneral ot Illinois. lu a few days the 
company marched to Camp Yates and on the 25th 
of April they vvcre mustered into the service for 
ninety days by Cai)t. John Pope, U. S. A. They 
became Company I, Seventh Illinois Infantrj'. 
Capt. Cook was elected Colonel of the regiment 
and our subject was promoted to be Captain of the 
company, which had been recruited to the maximum 
numher from among the first families of Spring- 
field. 



July 25, 1861, the command was mustered out 
at Mound City and those that re-eulistS<l were re- 
mustered for three years. Capt. Babcock was 
elected Lieutenant- Colonel, mustered in as such, 
and on March 21, 1862, was promoted to the rank 
of Colonel '-for gallant and meritorious services 
rendered at the battle of Ft. Donelson." The 
weather during that battle was the coldest and most 
inclement that had ever l)een known in that lati- 
tude and the boj's were exposed to snow, sleet and 
hail during three successive nights, without shelter 
or fire. Our subject contracted rheumatism, from 
which he has at times suffered intensely from that 
date. The oflScial records of the war testify to the 
gallantry and ability manifested by Col. Babcock 
and his surviving comrades add their testimony. 
It is sufficient for us to say that when his health 
compelled his resignation, the acceptance was 
couched in the most complimentary terms, and the 
most flattering testimonial was given him by the 
officers and men of the Seventh. 

After returning from the Soutli Col. Babcock 
again engaged in business in Springfield, but ill- 
health forced him to relinquish it. In 1878 he was 
appointed to a position in the Internal Revenue 
Service, which he held until 1885, when under the 
Cleveland administration he was remove<l from 
office. As before stated he is now in the employ 
of the United States Marshal, C. P. Hitch. When 
the (jolls arc open he is alwajs found depositing a 
Republican ticket, and at all times is ready to in- 
struct olheis in regard to the principles in which 
he believes. His private character is accorded its 
due measure of respect and the members of his 
famil)' have their appropriate share in the esteem 
and good-will of the citizens. 

The marriage of Col. Babcock and Harriet Ann 
Palmer was solemnized Fel)ruary 25, 1852. Mrs. 
Babcock is a daughter of Wesley Balcli and Harriet 
(Abbott) Palmer, and was born in Hopkinton, N.H., 
Ma_y 10, 1832. A true daughter of New England, 
she is efficient, energetic and intelligent. Mr. and 
Mrs. Babcock have four living children and lost 
two in infancy. The survivors are: Susan, wife of 
Zachariah Graham, Charles. George and James. 
George married Mary Uugg, daughter of Henry 
Bugg^ 




BIOGI^fl^r^I^^f^^- 



^•s«-<«i>-fe>es 



Adams, John --^ 

Adams, John Q 3!1 

Aile, M 275 

Allen, Hon. William J 187 

Anderson, Andrew .S26 

Anderson , .John W .609 

Anderson, L. S 2(>9 

Antle,N.C 251 

Armstrong, John F '229 

Arthur, Chester A 99 

Auxier, B. L 593 



B 



hal)h,L. M 462 

Babcuok, Col. A. J 8.54 

Bailey, Daniel 330 

Bain, Edward C 789 

Bain, W. H., M. D 272 

Ball, John JI 303 

Barker. Harry 777 

Barbre. William 373 

Barnes, Ciiaries 293 

Barnes, Ezi-a 73B 

Bartlelt, Edward P., M. I). ..782 

Bauni. Joseph 400 

Beal, William M 490 

Beecher, H. H 40(i 

Bell, J. 51., M. D 496 

Bergen, George 294 

Bergen, T.n 778 

Berry, R. D 8:i4 

Beveridge, John L 171 

Bigler, Cicorge 572 

Bissell, William H 151 

Black, George N 353 

Blaek, K. G 825 

Black, John 237 

Blair, Capt. H. S 247 

Bolles, H.O.. M. D 625 

Bond , Shadrach Ill 



Bowcock, C. M., M. D 559 

Bowers, William R .536 

Boyd, Archibald 587 

Boyd.G. B 222 

Boyd, W. H 778 

Bradford, J. S 588 

Bradley, Ledbetter 5 19 

Brand, Henry A 805 

Bra ugh ton, Adam 505 

Breckenridge, C. C 451 

Bi-essmer, John 201 

Bridges, W. T.. M. D ,223 

Broadwell, Hon. N. M 217 

Brooks, J. W 436 

Brown, A. C 630 

Brown, Alexander 794 

Brown, Charles G 603 

Brown , Edward W .549 

Brown. John 399 

Brown, Reuben S 279 

Brunk, J.C 223 

Brunk, T. F 286 

Buchanan, James 75 

Buck, H. B., M. D 630 

Buerkett, F. D .509 

Bullard,S. A 507 

Burnett, Oscar 230 

Butler, Mrs. Je<anie M S70 

Byers, Robert C 269 



Caldwel I, Hon. B. F 840 

Caldwell, W. O 090 

Campbell, C. X 72+ 

Campbell, J. P •. 316 

Campbell, Peter C 831 

Canlield, Arthur C 593 

Carlin, Thomas 133 

Carpenter, John M 401 

Carswell, Thomas 426 

Cass, A. B 763 

Cass, liobert 515 

Chapin, E. L 301 

Chesnut, Hon. John 741 

Chilton, J.C 339 

Chrisman, Willis 591 



Clark, James 345 

eiondcnin, H. W 421 

Cleveland, Grover S 103 

Cline, J. N 283 

Cloyd, Matthew 671 

Coe, John C 329 

Colburn , David 1* 776 

Colby, VV. H 520 

Coleiin, A. C 796 

Colean, M. W 752 

Coles, Edward 115 

Collins, J. H 315 

Collins, Phillip 352 

Coons, G. M 665 

Cooper, Meredith 228 

Conk ling, Clintr)n L 6.56 

Ctnikiing, Hon. James C 708 

Conkling, William J 361 

Conner, Daniel 740 

Coimolly, Maj. James A 207 

Connolly, Robert 536 

Connor, E. F 199 

Constant, G. W 271 

Constant, W. F 374 

Conver.se, Hon. A. L 337 

Converse, W. 567 

Correll, Thomas 386 

Correll, William F 717 

Correll, W. H 699 

Coulter, Frank G., Sr MO 

Council, George W 600 

Craig, Robert 533 

Creighton, Hon. James A.. ..224 

Cromwell, C. C 323 

Cullom, Shelby M 173 

Culp, Harvey J 465 

Cummins, B. l** 662 

Curry, Robert W 705 



D 



Davis, Vf. H., M. D 636 

Dawson , Betrand .>)55 

D.ay, Edward 524 

Deal, John, M. D 435 

Dellert & Huyear 393 

Derry,W. D ^.313 

Deweese, H. A 234 

Diehl, Daniel 503 

Dodds, Francis E 409 

Doerller, Edward 594 

Docrfler. Fred 751 

Donnelly, P. H 52;? 

Donohoe, Rev. P. M 291 

Dorrell, John C ■...701 

Drennan, J. H 75s 

Duncan, Joseph 131 

Duncan, Thom.as S 758 

Dunkel, Milton 819 

Dunlap, Betsy Ann 458 

I)unn,,S. W 853 

Dyer, WillhaniS 533 



Edwards, Ninian 119 

Edwards, Richard, M. D 518 

Elder, James 360 

Elliott, John W 260 

Elliott, Mrs. Jane 204 

English, Mrs. Emily 242 

English, Turney 562 

Enos, William S 711 

Enos, Z. A 248 

Ewing, William L. D 127 



Dake.S 

D.ipron, L. L 

Darneille, J. H .. 

Davis, A. R 

Davis, II. K...». 
Davis, Moses A.. 



.452 
.211 
.795 
.635* 

..781 
.790 



P'ait, W. H 456 

Farnam, L. C 799 

Fifer, Joseph W 183 

Fillmore, Millard 67 

Fisk, J. M 331 

Fletcher, Henry M 612 

Flelcher, James B 012 



INDEX. 



Fleury, Frank, M. D 622 

Ford, A. T 2.52 

Ford.G. E 446 

Ford, Thomas 130 

For lad o, J . L 399 

Foster, J. W 769 

Foster, S. L 404 

Foster, William 624 

Fox.F.M 364 

Francis, L. C 474 

Frazee, C. A., M. D 766 

Freeman, N. L 7.51 

French, Au|^ustus C 143 

Freund, J. W 261 

Frv.H.C 464 

Fullinwider^ H. T S32 

Funderburk, David 542 

Funk.M.F ,'i41 



Galhg:an,B 241 

Uarber. Prof. 51. B 443 

Garfield, James A 95 

GarretsoQ , Samuel 648 

Gates, L. A 3-<0 

Gehrmann, C. A 672 

Gibson, Mrs. Ann .583 

Gibson, William M Utt 

Glenn, James 218 

Gordon, N. K., M. D 787 

Graham, Hon. James M 487 

Grant, Ulysses S 87 

Gret^ory, Isaac L 600 

Grimsley, J. T 416 

Gri nstead , Wesley 610 

Gross, John 220 

Grout, J. M 534 

Grubb, Adaiiue E .314 

Gurney . Aaron 188 



II 



Halljert, W. A., M. D 718 

Hall, James A B06 

Hamilton, Hon. L. F 190 

Hamilton, John M 170 

Hammer, H, L 641 

Hampton, James 340 

Happer, A. F 746 

Harbert, Eli C 799 

Harbei-t, S. M 375 

Hardtner, John 561 

Harnsberger, G. L .500 

Harris, Charles 394 

Harris, J. M (j88 

Harrison, Benjamin 107 

Harrison, William Henry 51 

Hathaway, VVesley 325 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Haynes, Jacob 668 

Hellweg, R 663 

Helnile, C. A 6:!0 

Herndon , A. G 839 

Herudon, W. F 576 



Herrin, W. F... 570 

Hesser, George W 560 

Hesser, John L 654 

Hewitt, S. C, M. D 2.57 

Hieronymus, B. K 845 

Higgius, John A., M. D 429 

Highmore. J. S 6.52 

Hopwood, Marsden 233 

Howard, Patrick 342 

Hower, Samuel 842 

Huffaker, P'raiik 370 

Hughes, I. S.. M. D :i58 

Hunter, J. B 4*4 

Hurt, David M .527 

Husband, J. Q. A 739 



lles.W. T... 
Inslee, J. W. 



.230 
.465 



Jackson, Andrew 43 

.Tacobs, J. A 369 

James. A. C, M. D 571 

James, Joseph M 817 

Jameson, H.W 2.59 

Jarrett, George R 625 

Jayne, William, M. D 8:53 

Jefferson, Thomas 27 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Johnson, I. B 632 

Johnson. John 728 

Johnson, Samuel 678 

Johnson, W. C, M. D 307 

Johnston, David 211 

Jones, Alexander. 632 

Jones, A. J 461 

Jones, D. G 610 

Jones, Drury 208 

Jones, Fr.ank H 547 

Jones, Joseph 253 

Jones, J. R 793 

Jones, Milton E ,827 

Jones, S. T 466 

Jones, William H 676 

Joy, J. 517 



Kalb, D. G 770 

Kane, Charles P 569 

Keisaeker, D. C 601 

Kelley,B.F 283 

Kent, J. P 530 

Kerr, Hon. Charles 513 

Kessberger, A 295 

Keyes, Hon. C. A. 282 

Keys, Hon . Isaac 720 

Kidd, Thomas W. S 485 

Kimber, Bros 412 



Kincaid, John R 621 

King, Col. John F 582 

King, Jeremiah 446 

King, John A., M. D 309 

Klaholt, J. C 329 

Klor, Frederick 577 

Klor, J. George 448 

Knepler, Charles 445 

Knotts, Japh 604 

Knudson, J. K 231 

Krais, Christian 437 

Kremzow, Charles 848 

Kriel, John 426 



Lake, J. S 364 

Landon, H 168 

Lanham, Joseph W 354 

Lanphier, Charles H 392 

Larrabee, William P 320 

Latham, Henry C 270 

Lawley, D. W 240 

Leaverton, Willis 455 

Leber, Joseph 653 

Leeds, G. R 453 

Leonard, John 681 

Lester, Hon. Andrew J 677 

Lester, James 483 

Lester, Williatii A ,598 

Lewis, J. T. 220 

Lewis, Ohed 642 

Lincoln, Abraham 79 

Little, S. N. & Son .508 

Lochridge, J. M 419 

Lochridge, W. R 589 

Loose, Mrs. E. 1 8.51 

Lowry , John 805 

Lupton.J. W 556 

Lyon.E. F 788 

Lyon. H. D 813 



M 



Madison, James 31 

Mann, Uriah 3.35 

Martin, J. M 263 

Martin, Robert 687 

Matheny , Hon. James H 297 

Mathis, John C 241 

Matteson, Joel A 147 

Maxwell, John 282 

Maxwell, William 382 

Mayes, J. W. D., M. D ,597 

McConnell, A. B 590 

McConneII,E. F 539 

McConnell, Gen. .John 747 

McCoy, M. D 3t7 

McElv.ain, Samuel S 411 

McElvain, James W 411 

McGinnis, John, M. D 319 

McGraugh, John 276 

McGuffln, J. H 273 

McGuire, Hon. R. L 473 



McKinnie, William L 2M 

McLaughlin , Hugh 447 

McMurry, L 390 

McTags-art, N. L 852 

McVeigh. B.F 689- 

Mendenhall, C. T 192 

^Merrimau, George A 615 

Merritt, Edward L 807 

Mill.ar,E. B 274 

Miller, A. F 3.38 

Miller, David 551 

Miller, Mrs. Eliza Jones 243 

Miller, W. E 314 

Miller, William 6 415 

Mitchell, Jabez 706 

Mohr, Rev. John F 458 

Mojonier, A 623 

Monroe, James 35 

Moore, Henry 806 

Moore, Howard M 506 

Moorshead, A. J 775 

Morgan , Aaron 695 

Morgan, D 389 

Mueller, H. E 764 

Muller, Alex 324 

Murray, A. G 368 

Murray, Hon. G. W 702 

Mun-ay, Patrick 771 

Myers. Jacob 29] 



rti^al, F. M 244 

Nelson, 0!e -...330 

Northcutt, W. W 325 

Nuckolls, T. J.r. 212 

Nunes, I)eVivcarow. A. L .558 



o 



Odiorne, W. H 295 

Oglesby , Richard J 163 

O'Laughlin, C 281 

Olcott, Mrs. Laura H 382 

Orendorff, Hon. Alfred 719 

Osterman, John 621 



Palmer, John M 167 

Parker. H. D 472 

Park, T.N 471 

Park, William H 757 

Parks, T. S 697 

Patton , James W 425 

Patton, Robert H --. 414 

Paul.C.K 717 

Paullin, T. L 296 

Paxton, A 673 

Payne, F. E 495 

Peai-son, I. N 599 



INDEX. 








Ailams, John 2-i 

Adams, John Q ;iS 

Allen. Hon. William J 18B 

Anderson, J. W 608 

.\rthur, Chester A 98 

Barbre, William A12 

Berry, Dr. R. D S:i5 

feeveridge, John L 170 

Bissell, William H l.=)0 

Blaek, ..John ■?• 

Blair, Capl. H. S i'l 

Bond, Shadrach 1 ' 

Boyd, Archibald... ' ' 

Brand, Henry A 

Branghton, Ad- 

Broadwell, F , 

Brown, C*' ■' 

Brown 

Bro- 

f ,.a :r 

liiiUnr, i.ol. Sjjeed .;)78 

B.v<"rs. Hohpr* t.V '21)7 

By f 206 

'•:, • C- 8:» 

.i(.ma.-< 134 

:■ 702 

i. vrt S« 

i ,;..;, E.L -.m 

■ .eland, Grover S 102 

Cloyd, Mallhew 070 



Coles, Ku. i\' 


lU 


Connolly, Maj. ,». 


,.'iin 


Cooper, M . . 


■:■-'■< 


Correll, VV. T 


:ii; 


Ciillom, y 




Currv. K ■ 




Dp 





....434 

312 

i)02 

I 408 

750 

J H 522 

.'oseph 130 

., -Milton 818 

-ards, Xinian 118 

-iios, William S 710 

Ewing, William t,. D 126 

Farnam,L. C 798 

Fifer, Joseph VV 182 

Fillmore, Millard Wi 

Ford, Thomas 138 

Foster.J. W 768 

French, Augnstus C 142 

Garfield, J. A 94 

Grant,U. S 86 

Hamilton, John M 178 

Harrison, Benjamin 100 

Harri.son, \V. H 50 



Hayes, R.B (10 

Herndon, A. <i 83S 

Hewitt, S. C, M. D 2.i6 

Hieronymils, B. K .S4.t 

'usband, J. Q. A 7:)8 

jackson, Andrew 42 

Jeflerson, Thomas 20 

Johnson, Andrew 82 

Johnson, Dr. W. C 306 

Jones, Alex. J HiO 

Jones, J. R 792 

Kerr, Charles, M. D 512 

Klaholt, J. C 328 

Leonard, John (>*o 

Lester, Janie.s 482 

Lincoln, Abraham 78 

Lochridge, J. M 418 

Loose, J. G 850 

Lyon.H.D 810 

Lyon, Mrs. H. D SI I 

Madison, James 30 

Mann, Uriah 334 

Matteson , Joel A 146 

MeConnell, E. F 538 

McTaggart, N. L 8.52 

Monroe, James '.H 

Moorshead , A. J 774 

Morgan, Aaron 692 

Morgan, Mrs. A 693 

Morgan, Dan icl :!81< 



Oglesby , Richard .1 I(i2 

Palmer, John M 16G 

Tark, W. H 7.56 

Pickiell, George 6:i8 

Tierce, Franklin 70 

Polk,.T. K 58 

I'ower, James E ;j.50 

Purvines, A.N . 72ti 

"Reynolds, John 122 

Richardson, Col. G. B 440 

"Riddle, Dr. H. R 618 

Sanders, George A 350 

"Scales, Y. D., M. D .824 

Seymour, Right Kcv. G. F. . 19(; 
Shepherd, Jitseph, Sr 744 

Smith, ,Iohn 6.50 

"Stont, Elihu 476 

Stout, Philemon 492 

Talhott, D. C 786 

Taylor. Jsaac H 732 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

Turner, Hon. Charles Jf. . . . , 660 
' Tyler, John 54 

Van Buren, Martin 46 

Washington, George IS 

Weaver, Jacob tiiH 

Wilson, H. Clay 614 

Wohlgemuth, H., M. D 226 

Wood, John 151 

Yates, Richard 158 




ixdp:x. 



Pemam, D. C 712 

Pickrell. George f.39 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Pirkins, R. 1 8H 

Polk, .James K .W 

Ponil,Mrs. M.J 251 

Poor, \V 7(i5 

Poorman, Isaac D 2.'i8 

Poston, E. D 238 

Power, James E d^l 

Powers, Nicholas fSol 

Prather, S. E 722 

Pressler. John P 723 

Price. Jacob F., M. D 302 

Priest, H. F 478 

Purvines. A. N 727 



R 



Kalston, James H GIO 

Ramsey, J. W 443 

■ Ranch, Charles 528 

Keece, Gen. J. N fil4 

Kees. Thomas :M6 

Reichert.B 5J2 

Reichert , Christian 218 

Rcisr-h.F 51(> 

Renshaw, G. M 244 

ReynoUts, John 123 

Richardson, Col. George B. . .441 

Richardson , Thomas 345 

Riddle. H. R. , M. D 619 

Rogers, S. M 508 

Ross, William R 444 

Rourke,]'. J 802 

Riile.T.O 3G7 



Sanders, George A 357 

Scales, Y. D.,M. D 825 

Schamel, Conrad H7H 

SchlaiiKe, Henry 221 

Schmidt, Jacob F (167 

Scholes, Samuel U 497 



Schramm, John 848 

Schroyer, William J 488 

Schumacher. Henry 734 

Scott. Edgars 489 

Scott, .John L. 777 

Seiiert, G.<J ■. 795 

Sexton, T.E 498 

Seymour, Rev. George F 19" ' 

Shartzer , A. A 437 

Shepherd, C. M 714 

Shepherd, Joseph, Sr 745 

Shepherd, T. A 516 

Shepherd, Thomas C 657 

Shipley,C.W 219 

bhuff.T.A 575 

Shumate, William 383 

Shutt, Hon. W. E 498 

Sims, Thomas A 581 

Sinniger, George 66G 

Smith, A. V 558 

Smith, Edwiu J 380 

Smith, F. B.,M. D 605 

Smith, Hon. D. \V 515 

Smith, J. F .505 

Smith, John 651 

Smith, Lloyd B 568 

Smith, John M 823 

Smith, R. C SCO 

Smith. Thomas 317 

Sommer, W, C 341 

Souther, George H .592 

Southwick, H 684 

Spencer, R. T 456 

Spengler, Hart man 664 

Staley , Daniel 683 

Staley , Stephen 770 

Stephens, Theodore 557 

Stitt, William 514 

Stout. Elihu 477 

Stout, Philemon 493 

Slriffler, John M 484 

Stryker, J. V 816 

Sudduth, Titus 280 

Summers, M. W 2.39 



Talhott, D. C 787 

Talbutt, William T 478 



Taylor, Francis I 395 

Taylor, Isaac H., M. D 733 

Taylor. James L., M. D WO 

Taylor, Zachar.v 6y 

Thayer, E. R .578 

Thompson, Harvey 438 

Thompson , Josiah M 394 

*'rhompson, W. H 674 

Thrawl, W. R 202 

Tickuor, E. E 385 

^icknor, Lawrence 385 

iobin.E. W., 735 

T^lon.J.J 705 

ToniUu,Ii.w.>i 249 

Torr ^G.B 740 

Town. -li*", Justus. M. D 488 

Tracy, Frank W 463 

Trimble, George 402 

Trimble'; J. A 700 

Treat . Hft-l. Samuel H 6:« 

Trumbo, I.- H 396 

Turley,H. t) 7.53 

Turpin, John- W. G 191 

Turner, Hon. Charles M 661 

Tyler, John 55 



u 



Ulrich,E. R. . 
Upton, John. 



....409 



Van Bm-en, Mart III 47 

Vancil, Burke .562 

Van Fleet, James A 308 

Van Meter, C. C 193 

Van Meter, J. B 675 

Van Meter, John R 682 

Vigal, Charles E 442 

Vigal, J. F 410 

Vigal, William H 658 

Vredenburgh, Peter 760 

Vredcnburgh, T. D 548 



Wadsworth, M. G 362 

Wallace, Joseph 454 

Wallbium, William 2'i2 

Washington, Geoi'ge lu 

Waters, John D 775 

Watts. S. W S2') 

Watts, Thomas ' 310 

Weaver, W. B 629 

Weiizler, John 5bo 

Whitcomb, J. W 7}i3 

White. D. V 540 

White, T.P 74-j 

Wickl.am, Seth 729 

Wiektam, T. W 718 

Wilcor, C. L 430 

Wileo; , Dr. J. L 203 

Williamson, E 56o 

Wilsot .H. C 615 

Wine 1 jin, C. H 431 

Winn, 'J. A S2S 

Winet<jer, Charles G 191 

Wise, James H., Sr Il» 

Withej-, George 157 

Witlrrow, M. M ."361 

Wright, James L 7110 

Wohlgi-muth, Henry, M. D...227 

Wolf, Jacob 808 

Wood, .John 1.55 

Woodr ,:r, Marion U 241 

Woods Charlie M 683 

Worku .tn, W. B :9s 



Yates, Richards. .S 1.">'I 

Young, Ferdinand. . . ^ 376 



V 



Zeiglev, H. T. 




Bigler, George 573 

Breck'^MrWl^e, C. C 44i» 

Carewel], Thomas 427 

Dyer, William S 531 



Fox, Mary F :{(!.> 

Howard, Patrick 3*3 

Kent, J. P 531 

Klor, J. George '40 



Kriel, John 4-27 

Lake, J. S 3(i5 

^Landon, Horace WJ 

^Larrabee, William P 3"21 



Martin. Kobei't (JSo 

Power, James K 2^8 

Torrence, G. B (iS5 



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